It lies between bedrocks at the southwest, sometimes known as Thunder Cove, and the Spurwink River on the northeastern end.

In 2010, the town of Scarborough purchased a small parking lot accommodating approximately 75 vehicles.

Higgins Beach has managed to retain at least some of its small-town characteristics, something that larger beaches in the area such as Old Orchard have lost in return for commercialization and tourism.

However, residential gentrification has taken place in the neighborhood steadily since the early 2010s, with numerous new and affluent homes recently appearing in the community.

Some of its current residents began coming to Higgins Beach in this way.