Quick Dog Visit to York Beach to see the Big Waves

During the week of August 17, 2025, Hurricane Erin moved along the northeastern U.S. seaboard creating large waves and rip currents.  The storm wasn't close enough to bring wind or rain to the U.S, but the rough ocean conditions it generated were hazardous to people and craft in the water along the coast. People were warned not to swim, but you could watch the waves from the shoreline. So, we drove to the town of York Beach, Maine for an on-shore view at "Long Beach" with Cody and Dash. Today's blog is about that visit.

(Pic: Cody and Tom, Dash and Rob) 

OUR SHORT VISIT - The temperature outside was in the 60s, and at the beach there was a good sustained wind keeping the feel-like temperatures in the low 60s, so it was sweatshirt weather. Despite the wind and the temperature there were quite a few people in bathing suits on the beach. We sat with the dogs on the rocky upper part of a beach to see the waves and admire the view of the nearby Cape Neddick lighthouse (known as Nubble Light). It was a nice change of pace, and it was only 30 minutes away.

(Photo: Cody (left) and Dash (right) posed for a picture on the rocky part of Long Beach)

NO SWIMMING, RED FLAG WARNINGS - Despite the warnings and double Red Flag Warnings posted over the week of Aug 17-24, 2025 there were several people who ventured in the ocean on Long Beach at York Beach, Maine. Hurricane Erin was 500 miles off the coast, but churning up waves and rip tides. During the previous week, lifeguards at Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, about 27 miles south had to rescue 144 people caught in deadly rip tides. 

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ABOUT YORK BEACH, MAINE - The village of York Beach is made up of the Long Sands and Short Sands beaches along the Atlantic Ocean coast. On the north shore of Cape Neddick, Short Sands Beach features a promenade with souvenir shops, restaurants, and a classic amusement arcade, while nearby York’s Wild Kingdom has a zoo and theme park. On the south shore, the 1.5-mile Long Sands Beach offers a more laid-back vibe and tide pools.  

(Photo: Cape Neddick Lighthouse in the distance) 

CAPE NEDDICK OR NUBBLE LIGHTHOUSE - We could see the lighthouse from the beach. The Cape Neddick Light stands on Nubble Island about 100 yards (91 m) off Cape Neddick Point. It is commonly known as "Nubble Light" or simply "the Nubble." Cape Neddick Point is at the north end of Long Sands Beach in the village of York Beach. The lighthouse is inaccessible to the general public, but the nearby mainland is occupied by Sohier Park which offers many locations from which to view the lighthouse and a gift shop with a "Nubble" theme.

(Photo: We sat on the rocky part of the beach, far from the shore)