Overview
Phippsburg, a coastal town in Sagadahoc County on Maine's Mid Coast, is a popular beach destination.
1 sights · 7 things to do · 3 places to eat · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Phippsburg
Fort Popham State Historic Site
Civil War-era coastal defence fortification at the mouth of the Kennebec River in Phippsburg. Open 9AM-sunset daily from April 15th to October 30th. Fee charged. Parking is limited (an alternative is to pay to park at ne…
Fort Baldwin
A former coastal defense fortification constructed between 1905 and 1912, overlooks Fort Popham.
Bates-Morse Mountain Conservation Area
Mountain surrounded by salt marshes, beach and dense Maine woods. Privately owned by Bates College for research and recreation.
Pond Island National Wildlife Refuge
Ten acre island located in the mouth of the Kennebec River, wildlife preserve accessible by private boat. Closed to the public during nesting season.
Phippsburg Historical Society
Seasonal local history museum. On Facebook.
Popham Beach State Park
Sandy beach, picnic area. Largest beach in the area. Day-use fee, parking available for a few dollars.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 16°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Dec. (climate data from nearby Seacoast)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PWM Portland International Jetport, Portland — 27 mi away (major hub). Directions
- AUG Augusta State Airport, Augusta — 35 mi away. Directions
There is no local or intercity public transport.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Phippsburg Historical Society, Fort Popham State Historic Site
- Lunch Spinney's
- Afternoon Bates-Morse Mountain Conservation Area, Pond Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Dinner The Lobster House
Day 2
- Morning Popham Beach State Park, Fort Baldwin
- Lunch Waters Edge Restaurant
- Afternoon Small Point Beach, Sea Spray Kayaking
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Understand
The location where the popular movie Message In A Bottle was filmed, Phippsburg includes some of the best beaches in the area.
Get in
There is no local or intercity public transport.
Portland has air and rail service. From there, I-95 north to I-295 north leads to Brunswick. Exit onto US Route 1 north, following the coast up to Bath. Exit right to State Route 209, which goes through Phippsburg.
Get around
You will need a vehicle. As roads (with the exception of Route 209) are mostly narrow with no shoulder, biking can be awkward; motorcars run 40 mph on the back roads and there can be high traffic on the way to the beach in summer's high season.
As most of the town is surrounded by water, many places are easily accessible by boat.
See
Do
While the beaches are the main tourist attraction, fishing is good if you have access to a boat. Most local convenience stores sell tackle supplies. There's a good striper fishing spot on Parker Head Road at the mouth of Mill Pond, and fishing off the beach is popular. Set eels out on a hook on the beach or use a simple shad to catch them at the Mill Pond dam.
Buy
- Several stores sell souvenirs at the beaches.
Eat
Eat Waters Edge Restaurant
Eatery on the wharf of the former Down Easter and Sebasco Estates Foods clam processing facility, a mile past Sebasco Resort golf course.
Drink
One may buy liquor at a grocery store for takeaway. There is a local pub, the Ledges Pub (+1 207 371-5113) at the Sebasco Resort.
Sleep
Go next
- The nearest hotels are in Bath. The closest malls and big-box stores are in Brunswick or Freeport. The nearest supermarkets are Shaw's in Bath and Hanniford in Brunswick. Freeport, home of the popular L.L. Bean sportswear company, offers speciality shops and outlets.
- The closest major city is Portland, where the Maine Mall features major chains like Best Buy, JCPenney, Sports Authority and Victoria's Secret.
- Arcadia National Park is a great place to hike; to the north, white water rafting is available further up the coast.
- Sunday River and Black Mountain are good for mountain skiing. Sunday River has more slopes, with six mountain peaks.
Nearby
Hermit Island
In 1907, there was little here but one old man with a cabin, a few sheep and no family; the cabin was left to decay after his death. A lobster fishery was built after World War II, with a camp ground opened soon after. About 8 mi south of Phippsburg (follow Route 209 south to Route 216), this area is now crowded in summer with seasonal campers and sites are best reserved well in advance.
Stay Hermit Island Campground
A 270-site family-oriented seasonal campground on a 255 acre peninsula. Tents and tent-trailers only, no RV's, no utility hookups, prices based on two adults (21+) and up to three kids. Three small cabins for weekly rental ($445-1175/wk). Office is on Front St, BATH ME and is open 9AM–2PM weekdays. The Kelp Shed (reception desk, Snack Bar, fireplace, pool table, video games and picnic tables) is open from 9AM–10PM. The Store sells ice, firewood, lobsters, beer, wine, groceries, bait and camping supplies. Souvenir shop with postcards and t-shirts. No personal cheques, no credit cards. ATM on site. Poor to non-extant mobile telephone coverage in the park; there is one telephone at the Kelp Shed for emergency use. On Facebook.
Nearby
Bath
City / town · 13 listings · 7 mi away
Boothbay Harbor
City / town · 19 listings · 10 mi away
Brunswick
City / town · 59 listings · 10 mi away
Bailey Island
City / town · 6 listings · 11 mi away
Edgecomb
City / town · 3 listings · 13 mi away
Freeport
City / town · 47 listings · 14 mi away
Wiscasset
City / town · 5 listings · 15 mi away
Chebeague Island
City / town · 2 listings · 16 mi away
My experience
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