Beaches
South County features spectacular beaches and ocean views
18 places to visit
Narragansett, RI
Block Island Ferry
There’s a beach for every personality, and every activity, on Block Island – and great ferries to get you there.
People may take the Block Island Ferry from different ports – Narragansett [Point Judith] or Newport, RI — but most of them have one thing in common: They want to hit those gorgeous island beaches, whether it’s to ride the waves off Black Rock or Mansion Beach, marvel at underwater life by snorkeling at Surf Beach, fish for stripers off Charlestown Beach or dig for quahogs on Andy’s Way Beach. Families love Town Beach with its concession stand, and sunsets are spectacular at Grace’s Cove. The views of North Light are stunning at Cow Cove and the North Light Area, and Mohegan Bluffs, with its dramatic panoramic views and backdrop of spectacular cliffs, is on everyone’s favorites list. Stroll along Dinghy Beach or Conneymus Coves.304 Great Island Road 401-783-7996
South Kingstown, RI
East Matunuck State Beach
East Matunuck State Beach is inside scenic marshlands, has soft sand, and is smaller and less-frequented than surrounding beaches. A great place to people-watch. Lots of seaweed near the shore.
Amenities: Picnic site, jetty, restroom, pavilion, snack bar, wheelchair access.
Season/Hours: Memorial Day through Labor Day (weather permitting), 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fees: See top of this page for parking information and fees.
950 Succotash Road 401-789-8585
Westerly, RI
Misquamicut State Beach
Seven miles of sandy, white Rhode Island beach along the length of Atlantic Avenue. Clean, clear, water with moderate surf, little undertow, and smooth sand with a gradual drop-off at Rhode Island’s largest state beach. A great spot for body and board surfing. Lifeguards on duty all season. Parking for 3,000 cars.
Amenities: Observation tower, wheelchair access, pavilion, picnic site, telephone, restrooms, showers, first aid, snack bar.
Season/Hours: Open only weekends, May through Memorial Day (weather permitting); open daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
257 Atlantic Avenue 401-596-9097
Narragansett, RI
Narragansett Town Beach
This half-mile beach, located in the center of Narragansett, has calm waves and plenty of family-friendly events. Surfing lessons and leagues, aerobics classes, junior lifeguard program, musical concerts, sand castle contests, volleyball leagues.
Amenities: Rental cabanas, lockers, showers, restrooms, snack bar, picnic site, first aid, handicap access, pavilions, picnic areas, changing rooms, boardwalk for beach access.
Fees: Parking, $10 weekdays, $15 weekends. Admission for one person, $12.
39, 77, and 81 Boston Neck Road (Route 1A) 401-783-6430
Narragansett, RI
Scarborough State Beaches (North and South)
Clean, sandy Rhode Island beach. Moderate to heavy surf with occasional strong undertow. Excellent for body surfing or boarding. Lifeguards on duty 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Amenities: Pavilions, picnic site, restrooms, snack bar, showers, boardwalk with gazebos, wheelchair accessible.
Season/Hours: Open weekends May 1 through Memorial Day (weather permitting); open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fees: See top of this page for parking information and fees.
870-970 Ocean Road 401-789-2324Narragansett, RI
Salty Brine State Beach
Sandy, clean Rhode Island beach. Gentle surf sheltered by a breakwater. No undertow, gradual drop, near fishing port. Great for kids, swimming, and fishing. Lifeguards on duty 9 a.m. – 6 p.m seasonally.
Amenities: Restroom, “green” pavilion.
Fees: See top of this page for parking information and fees.
254 Great Island Road 401-789-3563South Kingstown, RI
South Kingstown Town Beach at Matunuck
Over 1,300 feet of sand and water with crashing, rougher surf and occasional rip tides. Not recommended for poor swimmers or kids, but great for body and board surfing. Sunbathe and watch the Block Island ferries.
Amenities: Restrooms, wheelchair access, playground, volleyball court, picnic site, boardwalk.
Season/Hours: Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.Matunuck Beach Road 401-789-9331Westerly, RI
Watch Hill Beach (Carousel Beach)
Clean, serene beach in Westerly, Rhode Island, located near an antique carousel and a few blocks of shops and restaurants. This family beach has small waves. The beach is near the start of a one-mile walk out to scenic Naptree Point. In summer, parking lot fills early and street parking is very hard to find. Bathhouses, picnic site, restrooms, snack bar, wheelchair access.
Admission: Adults, $9; youth ages 13-17, $5; children age 3-12, $3.
Hours: Memorial Day weekend and weekends in June, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; mid-June 17h through Labor Day, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: weekends in September, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.151 Bay Street 401-348-6007Charlestown, RI
East Beach and Ninigret Conservation Area (Ninigret State Beach)
Three-mile-long oceanfront barrier beach. Limited parking fills up quickly on summer mornings. Popular beach for swimming, boating, 4x4 vehicles (license required) and shell fishing (license required). Adjacent to Ninigret Pond, a popular windsurfing spot. Lifeguard on duty 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Amenities: Restrooms, campsites. No alcohol, pets, or fires allowed.
Season/Hours: mid-April – October 31, 7 a.m. - 11 p.m
Fees: See top of this page for parking information and fees.
Off East Beach Road 401-322-0450Charlestown, RI
Charlestown Town Beach
Fine sand and moderate to heavy surf, occasional undertow. Located adjacent to Charlestown Breachway. No pets allowed. Lifeguards on duty during seasonal hours.
Amenities: Picnic site, restrooms, wheelchair access.
Season/Hours: Weekdays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Weekends and holidays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Fees: Resident sticker, $60; senior resident sticker, $30; Blue Shutters Beach $120 / $60; daily fee: $20557 Charlestown Beach Road 401-364-7000Narragansett, RI
Roger Wheeler State Beach
Also known as Sand Hill Cove Beach. Popular beach for young children, fully protected by breakwater. Lifeguard on duty 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. No pets allowed.
Amenities: Picnic site, restroom, snack bar, swingset, wheelchair accessible.
Season/Hours: Open weekends May 1 through Memorial Day; open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fees: See top of this page for parking information and fees.
100 Sand Hill Cove Road 401-789-8374
Charlestown, RI
Blue Shutters Town Beach
Great views of Block Island Sound at three-mile-long, family-oriented beach near Rhode Island’s Ninigret Conservation Area and adjacent to Ninigret Pond. Moderate surf. Located near the intersection of East Beach Road and Garden Pond Drive. Lifeguards on duty during the summer. On-site amenities include a snack bar, picnic site, restrooms, showers, changing rooms, beach accessible wheelchairs.
Hours: During the Summer 9am - 6pm weekdays, 8:30am - 6pm weekends & holidays.
Fees:Non-Resident Daily passes are $20 on weekdays, $40 on weekends & holidays. Resident beach stickers are $60 for the season, $30 for seniors.469 East Beach Road 401-315-2116
Charlestown, RI
Burlingame State Park
Fresh-water swimming at a beach and other water sports like boating and fishing are allowed on Watchaug Pond, located within this large, forested state park. - Campground Map (PDF) - Picnic Area Map (PDF)1 Burlingame State Park Road 401-322-8910Charlestown, RI
Charlestown Breachway State Beach
Beach for swimming, fishing, shell fishing, panoramic view of Block Island Sound. Day parking for 100 cars. Lifeguard on duty. No pets allowed.
Amenities: Wheelchair accessible, fishing pier, campsites, boat ramp, restrooms (no showers).
Season/Hours: Summer, dawn – dusk
Fees: See top of this page for parking information and fees.
Westerly, RI
Napatree Point
Half-mile beach separates Watch Hill’s Little Narragansett bay from the ocean. A less accessible shoreline is balanced by beautiful scenic views of Fisher’s Island and Watch Hill Lighthouse. Favorite spot for boaters, water skiers, bird watchers, and photographers. Hike sandy walking trails. Provides a year-round habitat for a variety of species. Acces¬sible from two paved parking lots on Bay Street.
Amenities: None.
Fees: Admission and parking are free.
North Kingstown, RI
North Kingstown Town Beach
This small, shaded, tranquil beach has a grassy lawn just behind the sandy shore. There are small crabs and shellfish in the first few yards of shallow water. YMCA Lifeguards on duty during open hours. During the summer, daytime parking is restricted to town residents, but there is public parking available later in the day, when the town crowd goes home.
Amenities: Grill, picnic site, playground, trash receptacles, restrooms, telephone, wheelchair accessible.
Season/Hours: June – Labor Day, daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Beach Street 401-294-3331Charlestown, RI
Quonochontaug Beach (Quonnie Beach)
Swimming, excellent fishing at the breachway. Undeveloped, privately owned barrier beach operated by the Quonochontaug Beach Conservation Commission. Swimming areas with lifeguards are restricted to property owners and require a pass.
Season/Hours: The public may park here during specified times, primarily off-season, and to walk to the beach and pond on marked sand trails.
Sand Trail (off of Spray Rock Road)Misquamicut, RI
Atlantic Beach Park
Rhode Island’s Atlantic Beach Park has a family beach and plenty of opportunities for fun and recreation.
Amenities: Amusements, kids’ rides, seafood restaurants, snack bars, waterslide, carousel, batting cages, game room, ocean side patio bar. Restrooms, telephone, wheelchair accessible.
Season/Hours: 8 a.m. – dusk
Fees: Parking fee from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., $15 weekdays and $20 weekends
321-338 Atlantic Avenue 401-322-0504