Kennebunk's major beach is a long rambling seaside affair and is actually known as 3 beaches. To the south is Mother's Beach and it features a playground and parking lot. At the north end starting at the Kennebunk River is Gooch's Beach, this is a huge flat sandy expanse. Nestled in between, starting at the Narragansett is Middle beach. It's mainly seawall frontage with some stone beach to the north and near the middle. It is this "middle" location that I'm writing about, though Oaks Neck in front of the Narragansett could be an interesting dive. The entry point is where there is a drive through break in the sea wall near 195 Beach Avenue. The seawall has a broad flat concrete top that is great to set-up on. Entry at middle beach is down a mild slope of small, rolled sea stones at high tide. There is a steady slope so don't lose track of the bottom while donning or doffing your fins. It's a nice easy entry. We usually go down the left side and work that cove. We have entered on the right and circled around as well. The bottom is quite flat and diverse with areas of white rippled sand, growth covered stone, and some larger stones that may have been from failed seawalls. You can still find sections of clay bottom from where the "clay reefs" used to be, just watch for barren patches of solid gray. The max depth can reach 20 feet on a high moon tide tide so under fair skies there is great light and the plant life can be very nice. With the street side entry and lighting from the roadway and neighborhood it makes a very nice night dive location. Due to the shape of the cove and the offshore ledge there is usually a noticeable current in this site. It's nothing to be concerned about other that accounting for it in your navigation. At this site we have seen sea ravens, sculpin, lobster, crabs, squid, rock gunnel, moon and comb jelly fish, and winter flounder to name a few. This location is a great skin-dive. I like to head out to the ledge off shore and explore the shallows around it. On a clam day you can get to the ocean side and see some good sized star-fish. Big schools of striped bass right near the seawall are not unheard of. There is fishing from the sidewalk, over the seawall so be careful if diving that edge. Parking at Kennebunk beaches during the period from June 15th through September 15th shall be by permit only. Parking is allowed from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM. If you are a kennbunk resident you can get an affordable pass. If you are from out of town you can buy a pass at a beach front "pay and park" kiosk or town hall. A 1 day pass from town hall is $25. The kiosk rates are prohibitive. Needless to say this site is best reserved for the off season. Fee link. However, there is back street parking that would work for skin diving or even scuba with a wagon or drop-off scheme.

This Dive Site at a Glance: SCUBA: Yes SKIN-DIVE: Yes PARKING: Restricted, see description TOILETS: Gooches and Mother's beaches in season TIDE: Any SEASONS: Any EXPOSURE: S ENTRY/EXIT: Easy, moderate cobble slope FOOD: None Google Maps We generally do something like the yellow route but may venture out farther.