Fortunes Rocks Beach
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Situated in a secluded location this beguiling 2-mile beach is quiet, calm, clean and scenic- perfect ingredients for a laid back afternoon where you can unwind, take a walk along the shores or simply make a collection of sea glass. When I’m looking for a restful beach day away from the masses, then I head towards Fortunes Rocks Beach, an indefectible destination in Southern Maine.
Open from 8a-5p from June 15th to Labor day, this can be a difficult and pricey location to visit (although well worth it). The parking is extremely scanty in the summer; you must have a permit to park anywhere near the beach. 1-7 day parking permits can be purchased at the kiosks by the beach, or both residents of Biddeford and non-residents can buy season passes online or from the Biddeford City Clerk at City Hall, – which is downtown and about a 15-minutes’ drive from the beach. I’d suggest checking it out off-season or after 5pm to skip the parking fees.
This roomy, sandy, and pebble-engulfed beach offers tons of awesome recreational activities – bodyboarding, skimboarding, surf kayaking, and swimming, plus a broad area for jogging, walking, or simply sitting lazily on the sand. It’s a fantastic place for the whole family, as the tides are strong enough for avid surfers to have some mad fun – and at the same time, gentle for the little kids to swim at the shores. I’d suggest getting a burn permit to have a campfire at the beach in the fire rings that are available (is there anything better than s’mores on a summer evening while sitting on the beach?)
The only downsides of Fortunes Rocks Beach are the amenities are pretty scarce here, though there are portapotties available during the summer season – but use at your own risk. It also might be difficult for someone with limited mobility to make it down to the beach, as you have to climb down a few steps to get to the sand. I’d also suggest checking the tide table before heading out, as there can be limited sandy area during high tide. However, it’s a great beach regardless of conditions; there are decent waves for surfing and wave-jumping at high tide, and you can take a blissful long walk at low tide. Fortunes Rocks Beach is truly a hub of tranquility, especially because it never gets too crowded (even in summer).
