Beaches

Beach Passes

Scarborough beaches are a popular destination for visitors and locals alike.

Beach passes are an amenity that can be purchased to use for parking in Town-operated lots of specific beach during the summer season. The season for beach parking passes runs from the start of Memorial Day weekend (May) to the end of Labor Day weekend (September). Passes are available for purchase beginning in May each year.

See parking fees for season parking pass rates and daily parking rates for non-passholders.

Prices have been updated for the 2023 beach season. Parking permits include access to all three of Scarborough's beaches. (Does not include parking at Scarborough Beach which is privately-owned)

Season Parking Pass	Cost
Resident Pass	$40
Resident - Additional Vehicle	$5
Resident Senior Pass (Age 60+) One per household	$0
Non-resident Pass	$150

Daily Parking	Cost
Single Vehicle \| 5:30am - 9:00am	$5
Single Vehicle \| 9:00am - 3:00pm	$15*
Single Vehicle \| 3:00pm - 6:00pm	$5
Large Vehicle (RV, Camper, Bus)	$45

Season passes are valid at all three town-operated beaches:

All beach passes must be obtained in person. This includes the free senior resident passes (Ages 60+). Passes may be purchased in the Town Clerk’s Office, or, if you are conducting other business in the Revenue Office, such as a vehicle or boat registration, you may purchase your beach pass there at the same time. Please bring your vehicle registration as it is required for the purchase of a beach pass. If you are purchasing additional passes for all household vehicles, all vehicles’ registrations must be presented, as well. Cash or check payment is recommended; cards are accepted with an additional convenience fee.

Dogs and Horses on the Beach

May 15-Labor Day: No dogs are allowed on any beach from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; dogs allowed on leash from 5:00 p.m. to dusk and off-leash from dawn to 9:00 a.m.

Day after Labor Day-May 14: Dogs allowed on beaches; must be on leash from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please note areas of beaches where dogs are restricted (April 1 to Labor Day) to protect endangered plover species. When off-leash dog access is permitted, dogs must be under voice and sight control.

For detailed information about bringing a dog to the beach, including maps showing restricted areas, refer to the Animal Control Ordinance. For current, detailed information about riding a horse on the beach, refer to the Horse Beach Permit Ordinance.

Scarborough is home to several beautiful public beaches. For information on beach amenities including boat access, parking, and facilities, select from the options below.

Higgins Beach

A sandy beach located within a quaint residential neighborhood that dates back to the late 1800s.

General Info	Description
Maintenance	Private with public access; the Higgins Beach Association and the Town maintain the beach area, parking lot, and facilities. The Town maintains the stairs and ADA ramp.
Hours	Sunrise to sunset
Parking	Municipal parking lot is located at 41 Ocean Ave. (off Route 77/Spurwink Rd.); limited street parking also available on Bayview Ave., including two designated ADA spaces. Parking lot collection hours from 5:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Parking lot open from sunrise to sunset. Violators will be towed. $15/day for passenger cars and motorcycles ($30/day on Saturdays and Sundays in July and August) Beginning of day fee (5:30-9:00) and end of day fee (3:00-6:00 pm) are $5 for passenger cars and motorcycles No parking for RVs, buses, and campers Seasonal Beach Parking Passes available at the Town Clerk's Office No street parking at Higgins Beach year-round with the exception of designated spaces on Bayview Avenue. One-hour paid parking is allowed at these metered spaces from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm from May 1 through September 15. More details on parking at Higgins Beach can be found in the Traffic Ordinance, Page 8-9.
Type of Sand	White sandy beach
Lifeguards?	No
Public Restroom	Yes
Showers	Yes (year-round), with showers (in-season)
Fishing	Surf Casting
Boat Access	N/A
Surfing	Not allowed from 11 AM to 5 PM from June 15 to September 15. All surfers must be connected to their board by using a “surfboard leash” 7’ to 10’ in length.
Food/Snack Bar	No
Trash	Carry-in, carry-out encouraged; Limited trash barrels in parking lot only.
Picnic/BBQ Facilities	None

Ferry Beach

A sandy beach along the Scarborough River channel known for its calm waves shallower waters at low tide. A jetty located on the far side of the channel buffers the beach from the stronger ocean waves.

General Info	Description
Maintenance	Public beach; the Town maintains the beach area, parking lot, and facilities.
Hours	Sunrise to sunset
Parking	Parking lot collection hours from 5:30 am to 6:00 pm. Parking lot open from sunrise to sunset. Violators will be towed. $15/day for passenger cars and motorcycles ($30/day on Saturdays and Sundays in July and August) $45/day for RVs, buses, and campers Beginning of day fee (5:30-9:00) and end of day fee (3:00-6:00 pm) are $5 for passenger cars and motorcycles Seasonal Beach Parking Passes available at the Town Clerk's Office.
Type of Sand	White sandy beach
Lifeguards	No
Public Restrooms	Yes, with showers (in season); portable toilets in the off season
Fishing	Surf Casting
Boat Access	Municipal boat launch Fees apply Seasonal Boat Launch Permits available at the Town Clerk's Office.
Surfing	Allowed; limited wave action due to its sheltered area. All surfers must be connected to their board by using a “surfboard leash” 7’ to 10’ in length.
Food/Snack Bar	No
Trash	Carry-in, carry-out encouraged; Limited trash barrels in parking lot only.
Picnic/BBQ Facilities	No

Pine Point Beach

A long sandy beach on Saco Bay that extends from the jetty at Pine Point to Old Orchard Beach.

General Info	Description
Maintenance	Both public and private with public access; the Town maintains the beach area, parking lot, and facilities. The Town rakes the beach weekly during the summer months.
Hours	Sunrise to sunset
Parking	Municipal parking lot is located on Avenue 5 (off King St.).Parking lot collection hours from 5:30 am to 6:00 pm. Parking lot open from sunrise to sunset. Violators will be towed. $15/day for passenger cars and motorcycles ($30/day on Saturdays and Sundays in July and August) $45/day for RVs, buses, and campers Beginning of day fee (5:30-9:00) and end of day fee (3:00-6:00 pm) are $5 for passenger cars and motorcycles Seasonal Beach Parking Passes available at the Town Clerk's Office.
Type of Sand	White sandy beach
Lifeguards?	No
Public Restroom	Yes (in season) ; portable toilets in the off season
Showers	Yes
Fishing	Surf Casting
Boat Access	No
Surfing	Allowed; more wave action than Ferry Beach thanks to its location on Saco Bay. All surfers must be connected to their board by using a “surfboard leash” 7’ to 10’ in length.
Food/Snack Bar	Concession Stand
Trash	Carry-in, carry-out encouraged; Limited trash barrels in parking lot only.
Picnic/BBQ Facilities	No

Scarborough Beach

Environmental Conservation

Beach Clean Up

Pitch In Pails was launched in Summer 2021 in an effort to help keep our beaches clean. Pitch In Pails encourages beachgoers to participate in their own mini beach clean-up.

Find the station at the at Hurd Park/Pine Point Beach entrance and grab a bucket to bring with you onto the beach. Collect litter on the beach and empty into the trash bin that is built into the station. The pail can then be returned for others to use. Pitch In Pails allows anyone to "pitch in" to help keep the beach clean. Community Services plans to expand Pitch in Pails to other beaches and parks in Scarborough.

Endangered Species Protection

Each summer, endangered piping plovers call Scarborough's beaches home. Piping plovers are small, sandy-colored birds that nest in front of sand dunes on the upper beach. They are vulnerable to natural predators, roaming pets, storms, and human activity.

Help protect endangered piping plovers by adhering to the following:

Keep your dog leashed on the beach during nesting season and be aware of Restricted Areas, staked and twined nesting areas, and leash laws.
Keep away from staked and twined nesting areas. Dog owners must keep their dogs 200 feet away from fencing to avoid disturbing nesting birds and chicks.
Use the blue trash receptacles provided on the beach. Help keep Scarborough’s beaches, parking lots, and roads clean.
Homeowners and renters with cats should keep their pets indoors or add a bell to the cat’s collar during nesting season (April - October).

Weddings & Special Events

If you are interested in hosting a wedding or other special event at Pine Point Beach/Hurd Park, please refer to the document linked below for policies and instructions.

Beach Event Policies

Online Reservations

Online Reservation Instructions

Kayak Storage for 2024 Season

Tired of lugging your kayak to and from the beach? Community Services has the answer for you! We currently have 16 spaces at the Pine Point Co-Op, 16 spaces at Ferry Beach, and 16 at Clay Pitts boat launch.

Due to the high demand and the limited amount of spaces, the spaces are leased out for the season using a lottery system. Beginning February 2 and running through February 25, Scarborough residents and taxpayers may enter their name into the lottery for a chance to secure a space for the season. No fee will be assessed for the lottery enrollment. If you are selected, each kayak spot is $150 for the season.

Please see details and registration instructions below:

Kayak Rack Lottery Enrollment Details

Kayak Rack Lottery Registration -- Opens 2/2

Additional Resources

US Harbors: Maine - Tide Chart

Maine Healthy Coastal Beaches Program
Scarborough participates in the Maine Healthy Coastal Beaches Program, which provides the State of Maine with a system to monitor public beaches and notify the public when there is a potentially hazardous condition. Town employees collect water samples on a weekly basis for the purpose of testing for high levels of bacteria.

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