Exploring Wells Beach, Maine
Maine Coastline Exploration - Discovering Natural Beauty and Coastal Delights
by Celeste Lipford and Terry Lipford - last updated on 1/5/2025
This portion of our trip was especially meaningful, as it allowed us to reconnect with Dana Malcolm, another of Celeste's brothers, and his partner. Spending time together in this quiet corner of Maine felt like a perfect escape from the busier tourist spots. The area's charm lies in its untouched beauty — a coastline that remains largely undisturbed, where you’ll encounter more locals and vacation homeowners than large crowds of visitors.
One highlight of our time in the area was visiting Wells Beach, a gem on Maine’s southern coast. Known for its wide, sandy shoreline and picturesque views of the Atlantic, the beach offers a peaceful retreat. It’s an ideal spot for swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing, with dunes and grassy marshlands creating a stunning backdrop.
Low tide at Wells Beach is particularly unique, as it reveals expansive tidal flats perfect for exploring. Children can be seen playing in the tide pools, while adults enjoy long walks along the water's edge, often stopping to collect shells or simply take in the view. Birdwatching is another popular activity, with shorebirds frequently spotted near the dunes.
What struck us most about Wells Beach was its relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere — a place where you can simply sit back, listen to the sound of the waves, and enjoy the simplicity of nature. The nearby Merriland River and Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge offer additional opportunities to explore the area’s natural beauty.
This part of Maine felt like a step back in time — peaceful, quiet, and utterly charming, with no rush or distractions. Spending these moments with family made it all the more memorable.
Exploring Wells Beach, Maine Map
The seagulls are out early in the morning in Wells Beach, enjoying the beautiful sunrise and looking for a snack. Nobody was up and about at this hour of the morning, so a beach walk was enjoyable.
Seagulls are a common sight at Wells Beach in Maine, where they add to the lively, coastal atmosphere. The beach’s wide sandy shores and tidal flats attract many seagulls, especially during low tide when they can be seen scavenging for food or flying above the water. Their distinctive calls and graceful flight create a quintessential seaside experience for visitors. The birds often gather in flocks, particularly near the beach’s more secluded areas, where they perch on rocks, sandbars, or the shoreline.
Sitting on the deck, listening to the ocean talk to me! This is a very laid-back area, and the beach is so close to the house, that it makes the overall experience very relaxing. I would assume that one of the things that makes this area so laid-back is that this is not really a "public beach" and all of the houses are privately owned. The closest parking lots are over a mile away, so the visitation here is primarily home owners and their guests.
Staying in a house on the beach at Wells Beach, Maine, is a truly relaxing experience. The soothing sounds of the ocean waves crashing against the shore create a peaceful ambiance, perfect for unwinding and disconnecting from the stresses of daily life. The view from the house, whether from a private deck or through large windows, offers sweeping vistas of the beach, ocean, and sky, providing a tranquil setting that changes with the time of day. The gentle sea breeze and fresh coastal air add to the calming atmosphere, while the wide, sandy beach is just steps away for leisurely walks, beachcombing, or simply enjoying the natural beauty of the Maine coastline. With no rush to go anywhere, the comfort of a beach house allows you to relax fully, whether you're reading, napping, or watching the stunning sunsets over the water.
Looking north along Wells Beach, you can just make out the house we are staying in off in the distance. This photo was taken early in the morning, and you can see that the sky is still softly overcast, with the low clouds casting a muted light over the beach. The quiet calm of the morning, combined with the gentle sound of the surf, created a peaceful and serene start to the day.
Take a moment to appreciate just how wide and expansive this beach is. In this image, you’re seeing it at low tide, when the water recedes to reveal even more of the soft, sandy shoreline. During low tide, families often head out to explore the tidal flats, where shallow pools form, perfect for discovering seashells or spotting small sea creatures.
In the summer months, this beach buzzes with activity, as it is one of the most popular spots along the Maine coastline. Families set up beach chairs and umbrellas, children build sandcastles, and surfers take to the waves. Even though it can get crowded during peak season, there’s always enough room to find your own stretch of sand, thanks to the beach’s generous size.
What makes Wells Beach special is that it offers something for everyone. Whether you’re an early riser enjoying a quiet walk before the crowds arrive or a family spending the entire day by the water, the beach always delivers a memorable experience.
The sun rises very early in Maine, but it certainly is beautiful. The first place in the United States to see each day's sunrise is in Maine click here to read a New England Today article about where the sun is first seen in Maine each day.
Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean at Wells Beach is always beautiful!
All of us relaxing in the afternoon sun. From left to right are; Celeste's brother Chris, myself, Celeste's brother Dana and on the far right is Ron Cates. It was a beautiful day, and it felt great to be able to enjoy the sunshine on the beach.
You never can tell what you will find on a Maine Beach; sea glass, sea weed, kelp, Lea's Spoon Clam, Greenland Cockle Shells, and various types of other shells, etc.
A better view of the rear of the house, very comfortable porch where the beach can be studied easily & comfortably.
This image not only gives you a much better idea of how wide the beach is here, but it also displays how it continues south for quite a ways.
Where to eat in Wells Beach, ME
Here are the top 5 highly rated restaurants in the Wells Beach, ME area:
- Mike's Clam Shack: A popular local gem, Mike's Clam Shack specializes in fresh seafood like lobster rolls, fish and chips, and clam chowder. It’s a casual, family-friendly spot with both indoor and outdoor seating options. (Google Review rating 4.4)
- Merriland Farm Café: Known for its comfort food and charming ambiance, Merriland Farm Café offers delicious dishes like lobster benedict and salmon cake benedict. It’s a great spot for a relaxed, enjoyable meal in a picturesque setting. (Google Review rating 4.6)
- Litchfield’s Bar and Grill: Offering a wide range of options from seafood to steak and pasta, Litchfield's is a lively, local favorite with generous portions and a fun atmosphere. Live music nights make it a great place to enjoy both food and entertainment. (Google Review rating 4.4)
- The New England House Seafood & Sports Bar: A great choice for seafood lovers, this place offers Maine fish, lobster, and scallops, alongside classic American dishes. The sports bar vibe adds to the fun and relaxed dining experience. (Google Review rating 4.3)
- Bitter End: For a more relaxed and unique outdoor dining experience, Bitter End features modern American dishes, such as chicken pot pie and blueberry crumble, with seasonal ingredients. Its large backyard offers a great atmosphere for dining under the sky. (Google Review rating 4.4)
And a very special mention to Congdon's Donuts who have the most incredible doughtnuts we've ever had anywhere! Their creations are so delicious that the crowd waiting to purchase doughnuts each morning gets pretty large! (Google Review rating 4.8)
If you would prefer to do your own restaurant research, here is a link to a Google Search Results list for "restaurants in Wells Beach, ME". Note that once you are there, you can have Google resort that list in any manner you might prefer.
Some Useful Links for Wells Beach
- Just Traveling Thru Travel Planning Tips
- Google Search Results list for "accommodations in Wells Beach"
- Google Search Results list for "places to eat in Wells Beach"
- Best Pastries in Wells Beach - get there early or they will be sold out!
- Our Image Gallery for Wells Beach
- Wikipedia Article for Wells Beach
- Google Image Gallery for Wells Beach
- Visit our Youtube Channel
- Google Reviews for Wells Beach, ME
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