Sand Beach, Beach in Hancock County, Maine, United States

Sand Beach is a sandy beach in Hancock County, Maine, stretching along the coastal edge with a narrow band of sand and gravel between rocky cliffs and open water. The shore features a natural blend of sand and shell fragments between granite formations and the Atlantic.

The beach formed over centuries as shell fragments from sea creatures accumulated and broke apart through wave action against the rocky shore. This natural process created the sand and gravel strip that exists today between the granite cliffs.

Sand Beach lies within Acadia National Park, and the park's entrance station and parking area sit just above the sand, so most visitors arrive by car or on the Island Explorer shuttle. The beach marks a stop on the Ocean Path, the walking route that follows the shore between Sand Beach and Otter Point.

The water stays quite cold even in summer, so plan for quick swims or bring water shoes if wading. Wear sturdy footwear because the beach surface consists of sharp gravel and shell fragments rather than soft sand.

Sand Beach is not made of mineral sand: the grains are mostly broken shells and sea urchin fragments, which is why the beach is called Sand Beach despite its coarse, pinkish-grey surface. The beach lies in Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, on the east side of Mount Desert Island.