The Best Beaches near Portsmouth, NH


Who doesn’t love a beachside vacation? We at the Martin Hill Inn know that everyone who arrives at our coastal town yearns for the shore. As such, we hope to be your guide to some of the best beaches in the surrounding area. 


We’ll start at the southernmost shores that you’d reasonably consider visiting and work our way north! It’s time for a day of fun in the sun.

Rye, NH Beaches

Rye is 6 miles south of Martin Hill Inn—about a 15 minute drive.


Jenness Beach

Features

  • Bathrooms
  • Lifeguards

Jenness State Beach is one of the best swimming shores near Portsmouth. Sitting at around one-and-a-half acres, there’s plenty of room to play in the sand, go swimming, and picnic with your friends and family. Dogs aren’t allowed on the beach since it’s state property, so if you want your fur babies to be a part of the fun, look to a different shore. Parking is easy to find.


Wallis Sands Beach

Features

  • 500 paid parking spots
  • Large Bathhouse with Rinse Stations
  • Picnic tables

Wallis Sands is the most prominent beach in Rye, and it’s not hard to see why. With awesome amenities and a gorgeous coastline, Wallis Sands offers the ideal beach trip. Because the beach gets busy on the weekends, you may want to reserve a parking spot before you arrive. You can do that by clicking the button below.


Bass Beach

Bass Beach is one of the most low-key beaches in Rye, as it has no facilities and doesn’t have a sandy shore. While it might not be as ideal for relaxing, there’s still other fun things to do and explore here. Sea Glass hunting is popular, and Bass Beach has some of the best surfing around.

Portsmouth, NH Beaches

For guests who don’t want to leave town, the Portsmouth shore might be the answer for all your beach needs.


The Great Island Common

Features

  • Port-a-Potties
  • Picnic Tables and Pavilions

Truly a massive public park, the Great Island Common is a fun place to get your beach on. For an affordable $15 per vehicle, you can have a fun time at the beach. Pavilions need to be reserved, but are good for parties and family gatherings.


York, ME Beaches

While York is 10 miles to the northeast of Portsmouth, it’s still only a 15 minute ride in the car. 


York Harbor Beach

Features

  • Public Restrooms and Shower
  • Easy Access to Souvenir Shopping and Food
  • Shade Trees
  • Lifeguards

York Harbor is sometimes called Mothers’ Beach because it’s sandy coastline and convenient amenities make it perfect for young families with toddlers. Keep that in mind if bringing the youngins is central to your getaway.


Long Sands Beach

Features

  • Bathhouse
  • Street Parking
  • Great Walking Trail

Long Sands Beach is where you go if you want a full itinerary of fun things to do. You’re a stone’s throw from Nubble Lighthouse and can see it in the distance from this beach, there’s great walking paths, and plenty of treasure hunters and surfers to watch. You might even want to try this stuff for yourself.

Ogunquit, ME Beaches

Ogunquit is far, but its shores are worth it. It’s around 17 miles away and a 25 minute drive. If you plan to make a day of your beach trip, Ogunquit may be your answer.


Ogunquit Beach

Features

  • Dogs allowed
  • Seating Area
  • Convenient Location near Food and Shops

Considered to be a perfect beach by many, Ogunquit offers a quiet, less-trafficked beach experience with fine sand and lots of room to explore. It’s a great walking beach for people who don’t want to get in the water but want to enjoy the sounds of the sea.


Footbridge Beach

Features

  • Massive parking lot
  • Wooden Bridge
  • Walking Trails

For a truly unique beach experience, Footbridge Beach is the place to visit. Not only can you do all the normal beach activities, but you can also walk around the island on multiple walking trails. While it does take a moment to get from the parking to the beach (the bridge is quite long), it makes for a fun experience when the tide rolls in.

Book a Beach Vacay at Martin Hill Inn

Need a place to relax indoors after you’ve been relaxing outdoors? The Martin Hill Inn offers a luxurious place to stay on the New Hampshire coast. Book a room with us today!

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