Wells and Ogunquit share a town line on Maine’s southern coast — they’re literally adjacent — but they serve different travelers well. Ogunquit is the resort town: refined, walkable, with a nationally recognized beach and a dining scene built for destination visitors. Wells is quieter, more family-oriented, and more affordable, with several distinct beaches and the largest National Wildlife Refuge in the northeast. After thirty years covering Maine travel, we find visitors often pick Ogunquit by default when Wells might actually suit them better.
Quick answer: Choose Ogunquit for the best beach on the southern coast, Marginal Way cliff walk, Perkins Cove, and a walkable resort-village atmosphere. Choose Wells for quieter beaches, lower prices, Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge, and a more family-oriented, less tourist-saturated character. They share a town line — staying in Wells gives you easy access to Ogunquit beach anyway.
Wells, Maine
Wells has three distinct beach areas — Wells Beach, Drakes Island Beach, and Moody Beach — each with a different character. Wells Beach is the most developed with a small village, arcade, and summer-cottage atmosphere. Drakes Island is quieter and residential. Moody Beach (technically on the Ogunquit town line) is the most scenic. The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge headquarters is in Wells — 9,125 acres of protected salt marsh and coastal habitat with walking trails. Wells Reserve at Laudholm adds 1,600 acres of estuarine research reserve with 7 miles of trails through diverse coastal habitats.
Wells works best for: families who want beach access at lower prices, nature enthusiasts interested in the wildlife refuge and reserve trails, travelers who want southern Maine coast without Ogunquit’s resort-town prices, and RV and camping travelers (Wells has significant campground inventory). Trade-offs: less concentrated dining and shopping than Ogunquit, no equivalent to the Marginal Way or Perkins Cove.
Ogunquit, Maine
Ogunquit Beach is 3.5 miles of white sand — consistently rated among the best beaches in New England. The Marginal Way (1.25-mile cliff-top pedestrian path) and Perkins Cove (working lobster wharf with restaurants and galleries) give Ogunquit a walkable character that Wells lacks. The dining scene is strong and resort-oriented. The town is well known as an LGBTQ-friendly destination. The Ogunquit Playhouse is one of America’s oldest and most respected summer theaters.
Ogunquit works best for: couples wanting a polished resort experience, beach purists who want the best sand on the southern coast, travelers for whom dining and walkability matter, and anyone who wants the Marginal Way and Perkins Cove specifically. Trade-offs: noticeably more expensive than Wells across lodging and dining, more crowded in peak season.
See our Ogunquit destination guide and Ogunquit with Kids guide.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Wells if:
Budget matters — Wells lodging and dining runs 20-30% cheaper than Ogunquit. Traveling with children who want beach variety. Nature reserves and wildlife are part of the interest. You’re camping or RVing. You want beach access without resort-town crowds and prices.
Choose Ogunquit if:
You want the best beach on the southern coast without compromise. Walkability matters — Marginal Way, Perkins Cove, and downtown all on foot. Dining quality is a priority. You’re traveling as a couple. The Ogunquit Playhouse is on the itinerary.
At a Glance
| Wells | Ogunquit | |
|---|---|---|
| Character | Quiet family town | Polished resort village |
| Beach | 3 distinct beaches, quieter | 3.5 miles, best on southern coast |
| Signature | Wildlife refuge, reserve trails | Marginal Way, Perkins Cove |
| Dining | Casual, affordable | Strong, resort prices |
| Lodging | Wide range, lower prices | Inns/B&Bs, higher prices |
| Best for | Families, budget travelers | Couples, beach purists |
| Distance apart | Adjacent towns, shared town line | |
For more southern Maine comparisons: Ogunquit vs Old Orchard Beach, Ogunquit vs York, Kennebunk vs Wells, Old Orchard Beach vs Wells. For driving distances: Maine Driving Distances.
Where to Stay — Wells and Ogunquit
Wells has a broader range of budget-friendly lodging including motels and campgrounds. Ogunquit skews toward inns and B&Bs at higher price points — book 3-4 months ahead for summer.
For vacation rentals and cottages, see MaineVacationRentals.com.
MaineGuide.com has been helping visitors plan their Maine trips since 1995 — making us one of the longest-running and most comprehensive Maine travel resources on the web. Our guides are built on decades of firsthand Maine knowledge, local expertise, and a genuine love for the state.