Ocean City Beach
4.7(1.5K)google
4.1(116)yelp
BeachSwimmingSurfingSunriseFamilyPhoto SpotMust-See
Overview
Ocean City Beach encompasses an extraordinarily expansive, ten-mile continuous stretch of soft golden sand and thunderous Atlantic shorebreak that defines the recreational core of the Eastern Shore. Maintained meticulously with pristine environmental standards, this open public beach draws sunbathers, competitive sand-volleyball players, and expert surfers all year long. The coastal shoreline provides travelers with an untamed natural atmosphere, offering breathtaking sunrises, continuous dolphin-watching lookouts, and rolling white sand dunes.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1-3 days
Best TimeThe best time to visit is during the summer months (June to August) when the ocean water temperature is ideal for swimming. The iconic three-mile boardwalk comes alive with shops and amusement rides, and the evening ocean breeze provides a classic American beach resort experience.
Getting ThereDrive east on MD-50 directly across the Harry W. Kelley Memorial Bridge into Ocean City. Because summer parking is highly limited, it is recommended to park in the public lots at the south end and utilize the Coastal Highway Beach Bus that runs continuously along the strip.
Travel Tips
- Surfing is restricted to two dynamic rotating 'Surfing Beaches' designated daily by beach patrol between 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM; violations incur severe municipal fines.
- The entire beach completely closes from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM daily for heavy mechanical sifting; overnight sleeping or loitering on the sand triggers immediate citation or arrest.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- The northern base of the 14th Street Fishing Pier offers the prime alignment for Atlantic sunrises; shoot from 5:00 AM to 5:40 AM using ocean-washed timber piles as powerful leading-line foregrounds.
Reviews
Positive
- The natural scenery of the beach is stunning with miles of fine white sand that is mechanically raked and maintained every morning, and the expansive shoreline provides a perfect place to fully relax.
- The beach features an iconic boardwalk lined with clean restrooms and trash cans at regular intervals, and accessible ramps extend right to the edge of the sand, making the public facilities excellent.
- The beach patrol and lifeguards are highly professional and attentive, constantly monitoring ocean conditions, which provides a strong sense of safety and great order management for families with children.
- The beach itself is completely free to the public, which is amazing! Visiting during the off-season (spring and autumn) allows you to avoid the crowds and enjoy world-class coastal tranquility and comfort at a highly reasonable cost.
Heads up
- The summer waves can sometimes be very rough and steep, and even in August the water temperature feels quite cold (around 75°F), which significantly dampens the experience for poor swimmers or young kids.
- Commercial costs during the summer peak season are shockingly high, with standard weekday hotels over $300 and even higher on weekends. Renting an umbrella and two chairs on the beach costs $52 to $80 a day, creating a strong 'money-hungry' feeling.
- Public transit options are limited, and traffic leading to the beach is often terrible. Especially during summer weekends or special events like car shows, finding a parking space is a nightmare, and parking fees are exorbitant.
- During mid-summer, it is completely packed with people, making the beach and boardwalk extremely crowded and noisy. Some sections are overly commercialized, and visitors are occasionally bothered by jellyfish blooms and biting horseflies.