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    FAQ’s

    Questions about the BEACH...

    When is high tide? You can find the high tide schedule for the days you will be in Ogunquit at US Harbors.

    Does the beach have lifeguards? Lifeguards are on duty from 10am to 5pm, seven days a week during the summer.

    Can I ride my bicycle on the beach? Yes. Bicycles are allowed on Ogunquit Beach from September 15 through May 15 but are not allowed from May 16 through September 14.  Bicycles are not allowed on The Marginal Way.

    Can we have a bonfire, barbeque, or have a clam/lobster bake on the beach? No. Fires of any type are not allowed on Ogunquit Beach.

    Can we camp on the beach? No. Camping areas are not allowed within the town limits. However, you can find several campgrounds here, and most have free transportation to the beach.

    Is Ogunquit Beach handicap accessible? Yes. The Main Beach at the end of Beach Street has a ramp to the sand. The Ogunquit lifeguards have several beach wheelchairs available for use; please call the town office at 207-646-5139 for more information.

    Are there public restrooms at the beach? Yes. There are public restrooms near or in all of the public beach parking lots. Outdoor showers are available at the Main Beach.

    How warm will the water be when I visit? The water temperature is usually at its warmest around the first week of August.

    Are beach umbrellas and chairs available for rent? Yes. Go to Vacation Needs Rentals for more about these supplies, as well as rentals of boogie boards, surfboards, kayaks, and more.

    Where can I park to go to the Beach? See Questions about Parking below.

    How do I get a beach pass? Beach passes for parking are only available to year round residents and property owners who have habitable buildings on their land. The year round renters must prove that they live in town all year. Contact the Police Department to apply for the pass.

    Can I get married on the beach? Yes. Go to our wedding page for more on how to get married in Ogunquit.

    Are dogs allowed on the beach? Dogs are not permitted within the Ogunquit Beach area from April 1 through September 8. Dogs are permitted within the Ogunquit Beach Area from September 9 through March 31. Dogs are not permitted in the Ogunquit River Estuary at any time.

    Is it true that there is an endangered species of bird that lives on the beach? Yes. You may find the nests of endangered "piping plovers" and "least terns" when you visit the beach this summer. You can help protect them by following some simple guidelines.
    HOW CAN YOU HELP?
    --Stay clear of fenced areas marked with "Restricted Area" signs.
    --If you see chicks on the beach, do not follow or chase them. Leave them plenty of space to feed.
    --Fly kites well away from nests. Plovers and terns mistake them for predators and leave their nests to ward off the "intruders."
    --Take your trash and food scraps with you when you leave the beach for the day. Garbage attracts predators.
    --Fill in your sandcastle holes when you leave for the day. Baby birds can fall in and drown.
    --Immediately notify the Maine Audubon Society (207-781-2330) or the Project Coordinator (207-251-4058) of disturbances to the birds or nesting areas.
    If you would like more information or would like to volunteer to help protect the piping plover and least tern, please call Maine Audubon at 207-781-2330.

    When is the July 4th Fireworks Display? They will be shot from the Main Beach on July 4, at 9:15pm. The rain date is July 5.

     

    Questions about the MARGINAL WAY:

    How long is the Marginal Way? From Perkins Cove to the Sparhawk Resort is exactly one mile. There are several areas where it is possible to exit the Marginal Way between these two points. Please see this map for route information. If you continue down Shore Road, Wharf Lane, and across the pedestrian bridge to Beach Street, this adds another quarter mile.

    How can I purchase a memorial bench on the Marginal Way? There are no more benches planned for the Marginal Way. However, there is another naming opportunity on the Marginal Way for families to inscribe for a loved one. A tax-deductible donation of $10,000 is required. Contact the Marginal Way Preservation Fund, PO Box 1455, Ogunquit, ME 03907-1455.

    When are the beach roses in bloom along the Marginal Way? The beach roses, rosa rugosa, bloom from June to September. The rose hips appear in late summer and early autumn.

    Can I ride my bicycle on the Marginal Way? No. The Marginal Way is essentially a sidewalk. If you choose to bring your bicycle, you will need to walk it along the path.

    Is the Marginal Way handicap accessible? Yes. The Marginal Way is paved. There are no stairs on the Marginal Way. Though it winds and has modest inclines, it is possible to navigate a wheelchair along the path. The fire department has a wheelchair available for public use on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Are there public restrooms available on the Marginal Way? No. The nearest restrooms are a public restroom at the far end of Perkins Cove (near the southern end of the Marginal Way), and at the Dunaway Building on Cottage Street (near the northern end of the Marginal Way).

    Where can I park to walk the Marginal Way? See Questions About Parking below.

    Is the Marginal Way open in the winter? Yes. The Marginal Way is open to visitors year round. However, due to the nature of the path, it is not always snow and ice free in winter, so it is suggested that visitors pass at their own risk.

    Can I get married on the Marginal Way? Yes. Go to our wedding page for more information on how to get married in Ogunquit.

    Are dogs allowed on the Marginal Way? Dogs are not permitted on the Marginal Way from April 1 through September 30. Dogs are permitted on the Marginal Way from October 1 to March 31.


    Questions about PARKING:

    Do I need a car in Ogunquit? Absolutely not! Ogunquit is a walker's dream! There are several options to get to Ogunquit without a car, and whether you bring one or not, you won't need it when you get here. Ogunquit is only four square miles, so everything is within walking distance. Here are some examples:

    • From Ogunquit Village (center of town) to Perkins Cove is exactly one mile (20 minute walk).
    • From Perkins Cove to the Main Beach is 1.2 miles.
    • From Main Beach to Footbridge Beach (walking on the beach) is 8/10 mile.
    • From Footbridge Beach to North Beach (walking on the beach) is 1/3 mile.
    • From Ogunquit Village to the Ogunquit Playhouse is 7/10 mile.
    • From Ogunquit Village to the northern town line is 1.5 miles.
    • From the northern town line on Route One to Footbridge Beach is 9/10 mile.

    Particularly in season, there are options other than driving or walking. Check with the lodging establishment where you are staying. Many of them offer shuttle services to the beaches and elsewhere. Bike racks are available throughout town. The Ogunquit Trolley, Ogunquit Beach Caddie, and Ogunquit Shuttle Cart run seasonally and Franman Transportation runs year-round. Get more information on in-town transportation.

    Where can I park when I visit Ogunquit? This map of municipal lots is from the Town of Ogunquit website. There are also privately-owned lots available in downtown (walking distance to the beach, and adjacent to Perkins Cove. Get more information on Hutchins Lot and Perkins Lot here.

    What does it cost to park in Ogunquit? Here is a fee schedule from the Town of Ogunquit website.

    Is there parking at the beach? Yes. There are public lots at the Main Beach (end of Beach Street), Footbridge Beach (end of Ocean Street) and North Beach (follow Bourne Road east, turn south at the end, and the road dead-ends at the parking lot). There are also several private lots near the beaches. However, we suggest that to avoid parking fees and reduce traffic, you leave your vehicle at your hotel and walk to the beach or take advantage of our Ogunquit Trolley, Ogunquit Shuttle Cart, or the Ogunquit Beach Caddie. Find more information on these businesses here.

    Where can I park to walk the Marginal Way? There are two municipal lots near the Marginal Way. One lot is at Perkins Cove, at the south end of the Marginal Way. Obed's Lot is at the north end of the Marginal Way, and can be entered from Cottage Street (off of Shore Road). There are also several private lots near Perkins Cove. However, we suggest that to avoid parking fees and reduce traffic, you leave your vehicle at your hotel and walk to the beach or take advantage of our Ogunquit Trolleys,  Ogunquit Shuttle Cart, or the Ogunquit Beach Caddie. Find more information on these businesses here.

    How do I get a beach pass? Beach passes for parking are only available to year round residents and property owners who have habitable buildings on their land. Year round renters must prove that they live in town all year. Contact the Police Department to apply for the pass.


    Questions about Ogunquit's MAJOR EVENTS:

    What are the dates for the major Ogunquit events?  This page has information on our six annual events, as well as how the dates are selected each year.

    What happens at each of Ogunquit's major events? The activities change slightly from year to year, but we leave last year's event on the calendar at ogunquit.org to give you an idea of what to expect. The schedule of activities for the current year is usually available online approximately three to four weeks before the event itself.

    How do I apply to be a vendor at one of the Chamber's major events? Vendor applications for BonAire, OgunquitFest, and Christmas by the Sea are emailed to previous participating vendors 3-9 months before the event and can also be accessed by emailing dawn@ogunquit.org. We suggest that you fill out the applications and return them as soon as possible, as spaces often sell out. There is an additional Christmas by the Sea craft show that is sponsored by the Ogunquit Fire Company; please contact them directly at 207-646-4947 for an application.


    Miscellaneous questions:

    What will the weather be like when I visit? Click here for today's ocean temp, and average temperatures in Ogunquit throughout the year. (The water is historically at its warmest around the first week in August.)

    I brought my kayak/canoe/SUP with me. Where is the easiest place to put it in? The Footbridge Boat Launch is a small boat ramp at Footbridge Beach, just to the left of the Footbridge itself. It is only suitable for small boats, and is not usable at low tide, while at high tide, the passage beneath the Footbridge can be difficult. (Paddleboarders will have to duck!)

    Where can I fish in Ogunquit? Deep sea fishing is a great option for recreational fishing while in Ogunquit. However, if you prefer to stay onshore, here are some areas to fish:

    • Surf fishing anywhere along the beach. Town parking and seasonal restrooms are available at three points along the beach: Main Beach (at the end of Beach street) Footbridge Beach (at the end of Ocean Street), and North Beach (at the end of Ocean Avenue - accessed from Wells).
    • River fishing off the Beach Street bridge or off the Footbridge at the end of Ocean Street. Town parking and seasonal restrooms are available at both sites. Fishing from your small boat: see the question above.

    What else do I need to know about fishing in Ogunquit? You need to know Maine's fishing regulations, and know what you are catching, as Maine state regulations do apply to some species. Here is a handy color reference guide on the State of Maine website.

    It's raining! Now what do we do? Here are some ideas for you:

    How do I reach Ogunquit town officials or town offices? Click this link to go to the Town's website.

    What do we need to know to get married in Maine? You can find information on businesses that will help you plan for your special day here.

    Are there any biking or hiking trails in the area? Yes. You can find maps on the Guides and Maps page.