Kennebunk Beach is a sand-bottomed beach break that peels both left and right, and it earns a solid reputation when the pieces come together. The waves here tend to run steep and fast, sometimes hollow, with critical drops that reward surfers willing to commit.
When It Works
Autumn and winter bring the best of it. The break draws swell from anywhere between northeast and southeast, with southeast (SE) the standout direction. There's a wide window of size to play with: it's usable from 0.9 m / 3 ft to 3.7 m / 12 ft, so it needs a bit of push to start breaking but holds its shape as the swell builds well overhead.
Wind and Tide
Look for a northeast (NE) offshore wind to groom the faces clean. It can work across low, mid, and high tide, though a rising tide is generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is a wave for intermediate and expert surfers, and it happily takes a range of boards, from shortboards and fish through funboards and longboards. Expect a moderately busy lineup when it's on, with a somewhat reserved atmosphere in the water.
Access
There's a car park with free parking, and a lifeguard keeps watch over the beach.
