by Celeste Lipford and Terry Lipford - last updated on 5/28/2025
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.
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.
Seagulls on the BeachLooking 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.
Wells Beach Sunrise
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.
Wells Beach Afternoon Relaxation
Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean at Wells Beach is always beautiful!
Wells Beach Afternoon Sun
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.
Wells Beach Oddities
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.
Wells Beach House Area
A better view of the rear of the house, very comfortable porch where the beach can be studied easily & comfortably.
Wells Beach Looking South
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.
Here are the top 5 guest rated restaurants in the Wells Beach, ME area:
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.
Based on Google review ratings, here are five highly-rated accommodations in or near Wells Beach, Maine. Note that each list item is linked to their home page;
Google Review Rating 4.5 based upon 825 reviews.
Google Review Rating 4.7 based upon 107 reviews.
Google Review Rating 4.8 based upon 483 reviews.
Google Review Rating 4.5 based upon 619 reviews.
Google Review Rating 5.0 based upon 21 reviews.
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