It's Bill, 8/3/25: Going to the Beach

Lubec’s Wild Coastline

Lubec has over 90 miles of shoreline, most of it along Passamaquoddy Bay, and some on the Grand Manan Channel. Almost all of the shore is inaccessible—either rocky, wooded cliffs or muddy back coves and clam flats. And then there is that 20+ foot tide twice daily. Considering all that, in those 90 miles of shoreline, there are not many options for a beach.

That being said, what the locals call a beach is gravel, not sand. The rarest of all beaches is called a “sand beach.” And we all love a sand beach!

Carrying Place Cove

There are two sand beaches, Carrying Place Cove and Mowry Beach. Carrying Place Cove is about a mile west of West Quoddy Station, about 300 yards off of South Lubec Road. The beach starts at the site of the original 1873 United States Lifesaving Service Station. It is a classically beautiful sand beach curving west to south around Carrying Place Cove with fine views of Grand Manan, New Brunswick, Canada. Lobster boats and floats are picturesquely anchored. A perfect beach for walking and beachcombing.

Sandy beach at Carrying Place Cove.

Mowry Beach

Mowry Beach is at the southern end of Pleasant Street in Lubec Village. Go down Pleasant Street, past the water treatment plant to a cul-de-sac for parking. Take a sandy path lined with rugosa roses to Mowry Beach. You are greeted with a fine view of the Channel Lighthouse (“The Sparkplug”) with views of Campobello on the left, South Lubec on the right. West Quoddy Station on West Quoddy Head is in the distance. A bit of Grand Manan can be seen to the east of Quoddy Head. You can even pitch a blanket and walk the beach for treasure.

Mowry Beach with sand and Rugosa Roses.

Bar Road and the Audubon Sandbar

Going out of the village on Route 189, take the left onto South Lubec Road. Go about 2 miles, you will see a white farmhouse and a red barn on the right. Just before that, on the left is Bar Road, which leads to a 2-mile-long sandbar that is an Audubon birding area. Excellent views of Grand Manan straight ahead, Campobello to the left, and Quoddy Head to the right.

An evening walk along the Bar Rd. sandbar.

Quoddy Head State Park Gravel Beach

The parking lot for West Quoddy Head State Park is a half mile left out of our driveway. Take a right about 100 feet before the WQ Lighthouse parking lot. Park at the far right corner, go straight 75 feet to the edge of the cliff, then right about 75 to 100 feet. There is a stairway to the gravel beach below. Wonderful views of Grand Manan—can’t walk much, but can climb around rocks.

The rocky beach at Quoddy Head State Park.

Hamilton Cove Beach

Hamilton Cove has a small rocky, gravel beach. Go straight for 200–300 yards. Hamilton Cove is on Boot Cove Road. Turn right out of our driveway, go about a mile. Boot Cove Road is a hairpin turn to the left. Go 3+ miles to Hamilton Cove parking on the left.