The Top Beaches Along the Seacoast
The Seacoast boasts a variety of beautiful beaches that locals and tourists frequent every year. Whether you’re looking for a quiet day with your toes in the sand, or an action-packed afternoon along a bustling boardwalk, the Seacoast has something for everyone. In no particular order, we’ve compiled our list of top beaches along the Seacoast. When staying in one of our beach rentals, be sure to explore a few different beaches!
(1) Hampton Beach
Hampton Beach has been a longtime favorite coastal destination for both locals and tourists due to its clean beach, lively boardwalk and down-to-earth atmosphere. Visitors travel from near and far to enjoy the soft sandy beach, refreshing Atlantic Ocean, shops, shows, dining, casinos, concerts, outdoor patios, happy hours, arcades, fireworks and more. This family-friendly, honky-tonk beach is the largest and most popular among New Hampshire beaches and is frequently honored as one of the cleanest beaches in the nation. Hampton Beach plays host to international sand castle competitions, Wednesday firework displays, free evening concerts and multiple festivals including a Children’s Festival in mid-August and Seafood Festival in September
(2) Sandy Point State Reservation
Located on the southern tip of Plum Island, Sandy Point stretches 77 acres. It features a gorgeous pristine coastal beach, great for swimming and sunbathing and is open from sunrise to sunset. There is free parking available for up to 50 cars only, so it’s quite exclusive, and the Reservation closes temporarily when the lot is full. If you enjoy biking, you will be sure to enjoy parking your car on Plum Island and biking 7 miles to Sandy Point State Reservation. Access to the reservation is through the adjoining Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Sandy Point is an important nesting area for the piping plover, a beautiful but nationally threatened bird species.
(3) Wallis Sands State Beach
The oceanfront town of Rye, NH has several miles of sandy beaches, all managed by the state park system. The beach is wide and slopes gently into the tide, which provides ample room for relaxing, swimming and playing beach games. Although much smaller and quieter than nearby Hampton Beach, Wallis Sands is a great family-friendly destination with less-expensive public parking, lifeguards and a public bath house. For those who want a break from the sand, there is a stretch of grass just past the beach that is often used as a place to sit and admire the Isle of Shoals.
(4) Great Island Common
This 32-acre park in neighboring New Castle, NH is a quieter spot compared to the state beaches. There is a small sand beach with gentle waves, a large open park, and a playground, so it’s a great spot for kids and for a picnic. The surrounding preserve means you’ll likely see plenty of birds and other wildlife at the beach, making it much more than just a spot for sand and sun. If driving North to Great Island Common, be sure to drive the scenic Route 1A north which hugs the coastline directly after you cross into the NH border, offering unobstructed views of the ocean. It’s a pleasant drive with beach towns and million-dollar beach houses lining the entire coastline. The drive offers several must-stop picturesque locations including Fox Hill Point, Rye Harbor, Sawyers Beach, Jenness State Beach and Petey’s Summertime Seafood, which is one of the most popular seafood restaurants along the Seacoast. As you continue north of Rye, bear onto Route 1B into Great Island Common.
(5) Jenness Beach
Located in Rye, NH, Jenness Beach is just as beautiful as its neighboring beaches, but limited parking keeps it from getting crowded. This beach has been a long-time favorite for local surfers making it a great place to catch a wave or watch the local surfers enjoy the New England surf. It’s an ideal spot for lounging, swimming, and picnicking.
(6) Salisbury Beach
Similar to Hampton Beach, Salisbury Beach offers an enjoyable combination of beach and activities. In addition to the beautiful beach and enjoyable varying tides, Salisbury Beach offers shops, dining, bars, arcades, a carousel, ice cream and more.
(7) York, Maine
The Greater Region of York offers several beaches, along with the much-photographed Nubble Lighthouse. During summer months, residents and tourists crowd Short Sands Beach as well as Long Sands Beach, more than a mile of sand stretching between York Beach and York Harbor. If you visit York, you must check the Cape Neddick Light, A.K.A Nubble Lighthouse, one of the most beautiful lighthouses in New England. It is the perfect photo opportunity and while there, be sure to grab a bite to eat at Fox’s Lobster House.
