Known as "The Friendliest Town in Maine," Wells Beach is a picture-perfect, relaxing seacoast village offering seven miles of gentle, sandy beaches mixed with rocky coastline.
Fishing, swimming, kayaking, golfing, antiquing, and fine dining are all part of the charm of this wonderful beach town on Maine's southern coast.
People the world over come to enjoy everything the beach and surrounding region have to offer. Wells Beach is right in the center of Maine's southern coastal resort area. The neighboring beach towns of Ogunquit and Kennebunkport give vacationers a wonderful mix of things to do and see.
Home to a fantastic selection of antique stores, the coastal town is a paradise for antiquing. You'll enjoy many superb restaurants, and traveling is made easy with the area's handy trolley system.
Resort Area Beaches
The main area beaches are: Wells Beach, Crescent Beach and Drakes Island Beach.
Wells Beach is the largest stretch of beach, located just at the end of Mile Road. On the west side of the beach you'll find a restaurant, playground and restrooms. Wells Harbor is here, a great place to watch boats and fish from the jetty. Lifeguards are on duty during prime season.
To the north of Wells is Drakes Island Beach. It's on the other side of the inlet to Wells Harbor at the end of Drakes Island Road. Not quite as big as Wells Beach, you'll enjoy the wide, sandy beachfront and gentle surf. Lifeguards are there during summer season and restrooms are available.
Crescent Beach is the smallest stretch of beachfront, on Webhannet Road to the south of Wells Beach. There are no lifeguards or restaurants, and the parking, although limited, is free. It may be small but the surf and sun just are glorious (and the beach is often less crowded.)
The town of Wells has convenient parking lots for beach goers, most of them requiring paid parking.
Hotels in Wells Beach, Maine
For a long overdue beach vacation, staying at one of the resort hotels is a real treat. A family favorite is Lafayette's Oceanfront Resort, located right on the beach.
There are several condominium-style hotels to consider for your stay, offering kitchens and living areas. Elmwood Resort Hotel and Village by the Sea resort are two good choices and excellent values.
The Wells Beach Resort Campground is an exceptional choice if you enjoy camping - very well-run, and close to the beaches. You can also choose from cottages and several fine Bed and Breakfasts. The Wells Beach Trolley stops by most hotels and lodging in the area.
Map of Wells and Southern Maine Coast
Area Attractions
The Rachel Carson Wildlife Preserve is a special place full of safe, well-kept trails that wind through the spectacular salt marshes. This is a wonderful hike for families, and the trails are wheelchair friendly.
The area is also one of the best in Maine for inshore and offshore fishing. Check out Captain Satch at Wells Harbor for sport fishing trips for haddock, tuna, cod and shark. Inshore fishing trips go after striped bass, blues and mackerel.
Bird watching and kayaking on the Webhannet River are all part of the fun of visiting Wells Beach Maine. For a perfect day out, visit Webhannet River Kayak and Canoe Rentals in Wells Harbor, and take the family paddling through the marshes and the estuary.
Golf courses are abundant for the avid golfer vacationing at Wells on the Southern Maine coast. Test your skills at the award-winning Links at Outlook, built in the Scottish tradition, just a few miles away in South Berwick. The nearby Merriland Farm Golf Course is a treat – a working berry farm with a par 3 golf course set among the berry fields! Complete with an excellent cafe, all family-run.
Many come to take advantage of outlet shops and visit the one-of-a-kind boutique stores. Take a jaunt to the Kittery Outlets and Kittery Trading Post, or Cabela's outdoor outfitters in Scarborough, Maine.
Wells Beach is home to a variety of museums that offer all sorts of interesting fun, including the Seashore Trolley Museum, Maine Lighthouse Museum and the Wells Antique Auto Museum.
Last but not least, enjoy fresh lobster from the local waters! Stop by Wells Beach Lobster Pound, and take home select, fresh lobster to cook up for your clan.
Where to Dine?
Eating is quite a celebration in Well Beach. Billy's Chowder House is famous for their clam chowder, not to mention fresh scallops, fried clams, and lobster dinners. They really have a huge menu with something for everyone.
For a classic dining experience, a visit to Clay Hill Farm restaurant is a must. This extraordinary dining spot is possibly the best in New England. Their chef and staff have won numerous awards, and their facility is an elegantly renovated 1780 farmhouse set upon a wildlife refuge.
Lord's Harborside Restaurant offers superb fresh lobster, seafood and chowders. Then there's the Maine Diner, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with "food like Grandma used to make." Mike's Clam Shack is a friendly pub and restaurant with excellent entrees (clams of course, but much more) and wonderful atmosphere.
If steak is your choice, Wells Beach Steakhouse is another fine eatery that allows seafood lovers to have their choice and steak lovers to have theirs.
Traveling Around Wells Beach
Forget cars and the hassles of parking! A great way to tour the area is by taking the award-winning Shoreline Explorer Trolley – sightsee and shop from Wells Beach to Kennebunkport and York Beach. Trolley fares are very reasonable, usually under $5.00.
Another super fun trip is to make a quick run to Boston by taking the Amtrak Downeaster. This train ride is one of the most comfortable ways of getting to Boston – recline and enjoy the Maine landscape in a most unique way.
Vacation at one of the best beaches in Maine by visiting Wells Beach resort for your next New England vacation. You will love the atmosphere, the sights, the food and the scenery. Become one of many who return year after year!
