Want to know the best part about winter in the Seacoast – the beaches can be all yours! That’s right, unlike the more popular season (rhymes with bummer) the winter gives us all a chance to rediscover our favorite beaches minus the struggle the park and the crowds. Granted you can’t just run into the water for a refreshing dip – well, you could, as it will be MIGHTY refreshing, but there’s something special about the solitude and starkness of a beach in the winter. And we’re not gonna judge if you just drive to the beach and sit in your warm car jamming to our water songs – that counts too! Here’s a roundup of our favorite sandy spots in winter.
1.Seapoint Beach, Kittery
In the summer, there’s lots of rules about where you can and cannot park, and the bugs are pretty plentiful. But the winter, well, it’s all yours! Often you’ll find yourself all alone on the long stretch of beach and if you take the full loop out to the Seapoint conservation land protected by Kittery Land Trust (yay open space!) you are more than likely to spot the resident snowy owl that lives there. He is magnificent!
2. Rye Harbor State Park, Rye
There’s something about walking along a working New England harbor that reminds us how lucky we are to live here. Seeing the fishing and lobster boats that operate year-round is humbling and makes us thankful, and hungry. Plus this park allows for 180-degree view of the ocean.
3. New Castle Common Beach, New Castle
On a July day you can barely get in the gate but in winter, it’s all yours. Being at the mouth of Portsmouth Harbor and seeing where the mighty Piscataqua meets the Gulf of Maine is extraordinary, especially if it’s a windy, stormy day or if it’s really cold you might even witness the incredible phenomenon of sea smoke.
4. Hampton Beach State Park, Hampton
Another spot that seems like another world come summer. In the winter there is a peace and solitude that envelopes this place and you feel privileged that you get to be part of it. Not to mention beach pizza tastes equally as good in January as it does in July, trust us!
