The 10 Best Beaches in New England

Each beach is special in its own way.

New England beaches are well-known charmers, with historic lighthouses studding shorelines and seaside shacks slinging chowder and buttery lobster rolls. Stretches of shoreline along the Atlantic are also versatile, ranging from rocky coasts pounded by powerful waves to sugary soft sands with gentler waves that curl and beckon surfers and swimmers to bob in the water.

Here are 10 of New England’s very best beaches—some that are serene and peaceful, others are buzzier places where the sugary aroma of boardwalk treats mixes with the sea breeze.

Sand Beach in Acadia National Park

Thunderous waves crashing against rocky cliffs may be the prevailing maritime imagery at Acadia National Park. But Maine’s popular national park also has a sole sandy beach (it’s called Sand Beach) that’s swimmable from mid-June through early September—that is if you can withstand water temps in the 50s. The beach is about 2 1/2 football fields in length, and it’s a frequently visited stretch of sand located at the beginning of Park Loop Road’s coastal section. A few of the park’s best hiking trails depart from the area, including The Beehive, Great Head Trail, and Ocean Path.

Narragansett Town Beach in Narragansett

A Rhode Island classic, Narragansett Town Beach is known for its sublime surf and boogie boarding. Local outfitters hold surf lessons and camps for next-gen surfers looking to learn on friendly waves. Located in the center of Narragansett, the 19-acre beach has restrooms and a first-aid area, plus plenty of nearby spots to grab a bite to eat or an ice cream cone. The cost to get on the public beach is $12, though residents can purchase summer passes, and parking in some nearby lots costs extra.

Mohegan Bluffs in New Shoreham

The three-by-seven-mile Block Island is Rhode Island’s summer playground where beach-goers come to kayak, sunbathe, and watch “blockbusters on the beach” once the sun sets. Towering 200 feet above the shore, the clay Mohegan Bluffs make a perfect perch to get away from throngs of vacationers and take in panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can also climb down a 141-step staircase to the secluded, rocky beach area and take a swim or roll out a towel on the sand. A plaque on the overlook commemorates the history of the bluffs, which was the stage of a Native American battle in the late 1500s.

Ocean Beach State Park in New London

For those who don’t want to brave New England’s chilly waters or are just looking to switch things up, Ocean Beach State Park offers a diplomatic solution: an Olympic-size oceanfront pool with a waterslide. The Connecticut state park also features soft sands for sandcastle architects, a free "sprayground" for children, plus a mini golf course with a nautical theme, nostalgic arcade games, and classic rides like a carousel. For a quintessential beach day snack, grab some clam fritters from the Boardwalk Galley.

Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown

Nothing quite screams summer in New England like Cape Cod, the hook-shaped peninsula that extends into the Atlantic Ocean and that’s known for its lobster rolls, hydrangeas blooms, rolling sand dunes, and picturesque lighthouses. With 560 miles of shoreline, there are plenty of spots to roll out your towel. But Herring Cove is a special stretch of sand with a tradition of hosting evening concerts in the summer, a snack bar with ocean views, and a great spot to see wildlife, including whales. Herring Cove also has ample parking and mats over the sand that are accessible for wheelchairs. Lifeguards are on duty from late June to Labor Day.

Joseph Sylvia State Beach in Edgartown

An iconic summer getaway with seafood shacks and historic lighthouses, Martha’s Vineyard is an island in the Atlantic with 19 beaches, many of which are open to the public. Gentle waves lap the two-mile shoreline at Joseph Sylvia State Beach, one of the most popular beaches on Martha’s Vineyard. Pose for a photo at the “Jaws Bridge” that connects Oak Bluffs and Edgartown and was a filming location in Steven Spielberg’s 1975 shark movie classic “Jaws.” Nearby Island Spirit Kayak rents kayaks and stand-up paddleboards to take out on the placid waters at Sengekontacket Pond, and the outfitter also leads tours.

Crescent Beach State Park in Cape Elizabeth

Eight miles outside of Portland, Crescent State Beach has picnic tables, grills, a playground, a snack bar, and cold-water showers to wash off the sand. Grab a lobster roll on your way to the beach from The Lobster Shack at Two Lights. Before relaxing on the beach or going for a swim, beachgoers can take a scenic walk along a trail at the adjacent Kettle Cove State Park. There are even benches to take in the views if your favorite way to meditate is by watching waves. In the summer, the state beach’s grassy sand dunes, ocean breezes, and namesake one-mile-long crescent-shaped beach beckon beach bums. In colder months, though, the beach holds its appeal and is a popular spot for cross-country skiers.

Hampton Beach State Park in Hampton

Want to turn your beach day into a longer stay? New Hampshire’s Hampton Beach State Park has an RV campground that’s open May through the end of October, but it takes some advanced planning as reservations for the 28 sites are awarded via a lottery system. Otherwise, the 50-acre state park’s wide sandy beaches are a great place to hang out for a day or go for a swim. Stick around into the evening for summer movie nights on the beach and live music. Plenty of nearby restaurants serve snacky things like fried dough, soft-serve ice cream, and french fries.

Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport

For those who love long walks on the beach, Goose Rocks is calling. The three-mile stretch of sandy white beaches is a Kennebunkport favorite for those in town to chow down on lobster and explore the coastal fishing town. You might even be able to spot harbor seals sunning themselves. The beach is a crucial habitat for endangered plovers and terns, so it’s important to pay close attention to the signs and wire cages so you don’t disrupt any nesting areas. One downside to accessing this beach? During the summer months, visitors arriving by car need a parking permit, which is $5 for residents but $30 a day or $100 a week for visitors. The oceanfront Tides Beach Club is located on Goose Beach Club, and guests can take part in nature walks or sunbathe in a lounge chair set up in the sand.

Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison

With two miles of beach and 550 grassy campsites, Hammonasset is Connecticut’s largest public beach. The beach first opened to the public more than a century ago and it remains a popular destination for tourists and daytrippers. The beach has bathrooms, a boardwalk, a boat launch, concession stands, picnic tables, and shelters plus showers. Not only is Hammonasset a popular swimming spot, but it also has wide sand beaches ideal for building sandcastles or tossing around a Frisbee or football.