A wide, west-facing beachbreak on the southern Maine coast, Long Sands is protected from NW winds by the Cape Neddick headland to the north, making it more surfable on a regular basis than many exposed Maine beaches. Any NE to SE swell generates peaks across the full length of the beach, rideable at all tides, though high tide can shut things down. Size runs best 2-6ft before the energy gets sloppy. It suits beginners and longboarders well, with forgiving peaks that rarely go top-to-bottom but can peel off with some pace. Bottom: sand. Season: fall and winter for consistent swell. Consistency: medium. Note the summer restriction: no surfing between 10am and 5pm, which aligns with paid parking hours, so dawn patrol is your only window in peak season.
Crowds are occasional rather than consistent, and the lineup is generally relaxed. The summer no-surf window between 10am and 5pm concentrates surfers into early mornings and evenings. Dawn patrol in summer eliminates both the crowd and the restrictions.
Free parking is available, though meters operate in summer during the no-surf window. No dedicated surf facilities on the beach. Stormwater drainage pipes discharge onto the beach, so avoid surfing after heavy rainfall. Rip currents are the main physical hazard.
Short Sands is nearby and picks up NE swells well when size is sufficient. To the south, the York River rivermouth offers a right-hand option when sand conditions align. Cape Neddick provides some protection against strong north winds but limits northerly swell exposure.
Forecast by Windy.app
