Published: June 19, 2026
Sun-drenched, sand-swept, and unapologetically classic Maine.
Wells Beach is Maine’s ultimate coastal playground—where miles of pristine Atlantic shoreline meet the timeless charm of a true New England summer.
Here, the air smells of salt water and fried clams, and days are measured only by the changing tides. The coastal bike rides are easy and engaging. This beach delivers the quintessential vacation vibe.
🏕️ Camping – Sun Outdoors Campground
Sun Outdoors is ideally located for easy access by bike to the beaches, restaurants, and almost everything. You won’t need to use your car for much if at all. Ride your bike everywhere. It is primarily a campground for larger trailer campers rather than tents. You’re setting up on a “pad” which is built on a bed of gravel (see photo below). Not my favorite as it’s hard to get the tent stakes into the ground. The campsites for tents are small.
Sun Outdoors does have a nice pool that is great after of biking and beaching.
🏖️ Beaches
Wells Beach is generally known for its gentle, rolling surf and shallow, gradual slope, making it an absolute favorite for families, toddlers, and casual waders. Because the drop-off is so gradual, children can safely splash in the shallows for quite a distance out. While it does occasionally get enough of a swell for boogie boarding or beginner paddle boarding.
Wells Beach – North
The Wells Harbor Jetty: Located at the northern end of the main beach, this massive stone jetty acts as a breakwater for the harbor. Walking along the jetty offers panoramic views of the ocean, and the area directly around it is a hotspot for striped bass fishing.
Wells Beach – Central
This is the center of the village of Wells Beach. It’s where Mile Road meets the Atlantic Ocean. This beach is defined by it’s seawall and the tides. At high tide there isn’t much beach. This beach gets crowded—and fast. Not my favorite beach. In fact I only go there for lunch or dinner and haven’t made a beach day of it.
Ogunquit Beach
Ogunquit Beach is consistently ranked as one of the top beaches in the United States, meaning the summer crowds are substantial.
I did not attempt to go to the beach here. Just the sight of this was enough to turn me away. This photo was taken at 10:30am on a Tuesday in early August. If you do go try to get here early and bring the biggest canopy you can manage. Going to the beach here is a contact sport. If you get on your bike and ride a little bit you’ll find better beaches. If you are on a bike you can almost always get into private town beaches. They don’t ask questions when on a bike. The parking is for cars.
Not far from this location is an attraction called The Marginal Way. It’s a paved cliff side walk past rose bushes and outstanding ocean views. It takes you right into Perkins Cove. You’ll be asked about the Marginal Way if you go to Ogunquit. I passed on this opportunity.
🚴 Bike Rides
Campground to the Wells Harbor Jetty
This is a short and simple ride from the campground to the beach. Less than 3 miles in one direction. It’s a good beach and you’ll find parking and beach space is easier to come by.
Campground to Ogunquit
This is an easy 7.5 mile (one way) ride to Ogunquit. It’s mostly along the shore and if you follow the little “spur” further down Ocean Ave you’ll discover a good beach. Ocean Front Beach is it’s name on the map. Another beach further along is Footbridge Beach on the map. It looks to be an outstanding beach. If you can’t get there following Ocean Ave there is a way to get there from the other side. I have not been there and it appears Ocean Ave turns into a dirt road.
🍽️ Food – Fresh, Local & Unique
There is an abundance of good beach food in Wells. Let’s get into it.
Congdon’s Doughnuts
Just outside the camp entrance this place is an old school joint. When you pick up a donut the first thing you will think is, “how much does this thing weigh?” They are hefty. There is a lot of heavy dough in a Congdon’s Doughnut. Perhaps that’s why they spell it “doughnut” rather than “donut”. I got a breakfast sandwich because I wanted the protein but I got a donut too. It was too much. The muffins there are good as well.
Maine Diner
This place is famous and a tourist stop. There will usually be a line for seating. The breakfasts are excellent and they have a classic blueberry pie made with wild Maine blueberries.
This is a hearty breakfast.
OK, I’ll show you the blueberry pie. The wild Maine blueberries in this pie come from an area in Maine known as the blueberry barrens. It’s a craggy, rocky area where nothing grows but blueberries. It is unsuitable for home building.
Billy’s Chowder House
Very near the campground entrance. Go early–it’s highly reated and draws crowds. They have 4 chowders, and the best of them all is the lobster stew. Nothing compares to it in all my travels. There’s an excellent lobster bisque at the Lookout Tavern in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard but it’s a bisque. Not the same thing. This is unique.
The clam chowder is competitive with others in New England–we fight over our chowders here. I like this style: not too thick but soupy and creamy.
All the seafood here is good. Order seafood caught locally. Ask if you don’t know.
Forbes Seafood
Located on the waterfront in Wells Beach center this is a classic beach food restaurant. It is over 100 years old. There is a large indoor seating area as well. It’s a great place to get some ice cream in the evening and sit by the beach. This is not a fancy restaurant but it is good beach food.
This right here…the plain hot dog and chocolate frappe…is my favorite beach food for as long as I can remember. I grew up along the Housatonic River in Stratford, CT and my father was a member of a boat club. Crimbo we called it. There was a food stand just like this called Howies nearby and this is the food I got. Returning to this food brings back fond memories.
Wells Beach Lobster Pound
Wells Beach Lobster Pound is a classic, no-fuss Maine seafood stop with a friendly family-run feel and plenty of fresh lobster, fried seafood, and lobster rolls. It’s the kind of place travelers like for its casual, old-school charm — easygoing, satisfying, and very much in the spirit of a beach-town meal.
Expect big seafood comfort-energy and fried bites people genuinely rave about (clam strips, onion rings, and more). You can choose your own lobster and pay by the pound. The 2 pound lobster steamed and with steamers is a good choice.
The meat from the tail of a 2 pound lobster is very satisfying.
Seating and eating is “in the rough” at picnic tables. Across the street is the ocean.
📜 Local Knowledge & History
🏛️ The Marginal Way
Located just south of Wells in Ogunquit, the Marginal Way is one of New England’s most celebrated coastal walks. The paved cliff path offers a gentle walk with panoramic vistas of the Atlantic ocean. I skipped the Marginal Way—the crowds were too much. Everyone I know whose ever been here has walked the Marginal Way.
⚓ Perkins Cove
Perkins Cove is a highly picturesque, historic fishing village located at the southern terminus of the Marginal Way. It remains a functional harbor that perfectly blends maritime heritage with local tourism. Due to the crowds I did not visit Perkins Cove but everyone I know whose ever been here has.
🏛️ Laudholm Farm
Just a couple miles from the campground this historic farm is interesting because it is a salt water farm. Laudholm Farm is a relaxing coastal getaway where you can slow down and reconnect with nature. Stroll along scenic paths through peaceful fields and gardens, then wander down to the shoreline for salt-air views and plenty of spots to just breathe. There is a small entrance fee.
🎥 Video Highlights
📌 Tips for Wells Beach
- Ride a bicycle as much as possible – In season, everything gets crowded. You’ll blow right by traffic and never pay to park.
- Go to the beach early – Try to be on the sand by 10:00am. A rising tide shrinks the beach quickly.
- Eat early – The restaurants are all pretty good, and everyone knows it. Beat the rush.
- Skip the Marginal Way if you hate crowds – It’s beautiful, but you’ll be sharing it with hundreds of others.
- Perkins Cove Candies – Artisan chocolates right in the square at Wells Beach. A great alternative to ice cream.
📸 Photo Gallery
Along the Ocean Avenue coastal road about halfway between Wells Beach and Ogunquit.
Salt marshes along Mile Road in Wells Beach.
Summer nights are pleasant to stroll the waterfront of Wells Beach. Even better with an ice cream or chocolates from Perkins Cove Candies.
Blueberry pancakes with sausage from Maine Diner. When in Maine stick with blueberries in everything for as long as you can stand it.
A swordfish dinner from Billy’s Chowder House on Mile Road in Wells, Maine.
The main drag in Ogunquit at 10:00am. Folks are arriving for breakfast. Getting your breakfast is competitive.
