Rhode Island Beach Guide: Everything you need to know about the best beaches in the state

Journal Staff
Updated ·6 min read

For many Rhode Islanders, summer means it's time to head to the beach. Whether you want to surf, find a secluded swimming spot, or get out for a day with the family, you'll find plenty of options along the Ocean State's expansive coastline.

The following beaches are open to the public; fees vary.

For more information about state beaches, visit riparks.com. Seasonal parking passes for state beaches are $30 for residents and $60 for out-of-state vehicles.

The state daily beach parking fee for residents is $6 on weekdays and $7 on weekends and holidays, for non-residents, $12 on weekdays and $14 on weekends.

The state maintains a website with the relative fullness of the beach parking lots it controls. See the current state beach parking statuses here.

The Rhode Island Department of Health tracks which beaches are closed to swimming due to high bacteria counts. See the closure list here.

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Block Island Beaches

Ballards Beach on Block Island has a healthy summer tourist season that ends with the summer break. Classic Block Island sites include Mohegan Bluffs, lighthouses, Great Salt Pond, people on the island boarding the ferry, people having fun in gift shops and ice cream places, people on bikes and mopeds, etc.
Ballards Beach on Block Island has a healthy summer tourist season that ends with the summer break. Classic Block Island sites include Mohegan Bluffs, lighthouses, Great Salt Pond, people on the island boarding the ferry, people having fun in gift shops and ice cream places, people on bikes and mopeds, etc.

(800) 383-2474, blockislandinfo.com

All of the island’s beaches are open to the public free of charge.

Andy’s Way Beach: Clamming beach on the Great Salt Pond. Block Island shellfish license required.

Ballard’s Beach: A quick walk from the ferry landing. Beachgoers can rent umbrellas and chairs and enjoy cocktails on the sand.

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Charlestown Beach: Popular fishing spot overlooking New Harbor.

Crescent Beach: Three-mile medley of smaller, individually-named beaches, ranging from Surf Beach in the south to Mansion Beach in the north. Visitors can find parking, facilities, rental items and concessions at the Fred Benson Town Beach portion of Crescent.

Mohegan Bluffs: Secluded swimming spot at the base of the cliffs. The shore, accessible by a steep wooden staircase, offers stunning views.

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Bristol Beaches

Jessica Roderigues raises her umbrella as she and her son Ethan spend the day at Bristol Town Beach. "I love it here, there's so much you can do, with all the tennis and volleyball courts, and the sheltered dining area, and the water is calm--great for swimming," she says. She says she comes here often from her hometown of Fall River.
Jessica Roderigues raises her umbrella as she and her son Ethan spend the day at Bristol Town Beach. "I love it here, there's so much you can do, with all the tennis and volleyball courts, and the sheltered dining area, and the water is calm--great for swimming," she says. She says she comes here often from her hometown of Fall River.

(401) 253-1611, bristolri.us/ facilities

Bristol Town Beach: Relaxed, a family-friendly spot near Colt State Park.

Charlestown Public Beaches

East Beach in Charlestown. Under H 8055, the seaweed deposited by recent high tides would be a "recognizable high tide line," and the public would be allowed to go 10 feet above it.
East Beach in Charlestown. Under H 8055, the seaweed deposited by recent high tides would be a "recognizable high tide line," and the public would be allowed to go 10 feet above it.

(401) 364-1222, charlestownri.org

Blue Shutters Town Beach: Safe and accessible spot that offers facilities, concessions and picnic tables and is great for the whole family.

Charlestown Breachway: State-operated beach with camping, fishing and views of Block Island Sound.

East State Beach: Beautiful, unspoiled barrier beach with limited parking.

Part of Ninigret Conservation Area:

Charlestown Town Beach: Often windy, located next to Charlestown Breachway.

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Jamestown's best beaches

(401) 423-7260, jamestownri.gov

Shores Beach (Head’s Beach): Small sitting and swimming area with boat launch.

Mackerel Cove Town Beach: Family-friendly, laid-back swimming spot.

Potter Cove Beach: Facing Narragansett Bay at the base of Pell Bridge, this beach attracts kayakers, windsurfers, picnickers and more.

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Little Compton's best public beaches

Twilight at Goosewing Beach in Little Compton
Twilight at Goosewing Beach in Little Compton

(401) 635-4400, little-compton.com

Goosewing Beach: Natural, striking stretch adjacent to the town beach, where it shares parking.

South Shore Beach: Rocky ocean beach with limited parking.

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Middletown: Some of the best beaches in RI

Lifeguards keep watch at Second Beach in Middletown.
Lifeguards keep watch at Second Beach in Middletown.

(401) 849-2822, middletownri.com

Sachuest Beach (Second Beach): Scenic mile-long beach with well-kept sand and facilities. Popular with surfers.

Third Beach: Family and recreation friendly with fishing and picnic areas.

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Narragansett: RI's most popular beaches?

People who don't have season passes to Narragansett Town Beach have to pay a $12 daily admission fee to get a wristband.
People who don't have season passes to Narragansett Town Beach have to pay a $12 daily admission fee to get a wristband.

(401) 782-0658, narragansettri.gov

Salty Brine State Beach: Small, calm beach that’s protected from surf by a seawall. Eco-friendly pavilion and boardwalk along the water.

Scarborough State Beaches (North and South): Expansive beach popular for hiking, sunbathing and picnicking.

Town Beach: Popular beach in the center of town. Surf, facilities and concessions.

Roger W. Wheeler State Beach (Sand Hill Cove): Ocean beach and recreation area offering picnic tables and a playground.

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Newport Beaches: A world class coast

Beachgoers are drawn to Easton’s Beach in Newport every summer.
Beachgoers are drawn to Easton’s Beach in Newport every summer.

(401) 845-5810, cityofnewport.com

Easton’s Beach (First Beach): Ocean beach with occasional red tide, at the base of the Cliff Walk. Offers rental items, concessions and a carousel.

Fort Adams State Park Beach: Popular sunbathing spot with views of Newport Harbor.

Gooseberry Beach: Sheltered cove beach and beach club. Bordered by dunes and boulders.

King Park Beach: Small harbor beach with a playground and space for picnicking.

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North Kingstown's beautiful beaches

Walking along Rome Point at the John H. Chaffe Nature Preserve in North Kingstown.
Walking along Rome Point at the John H. Chaffe Nature Preserve in North Kingstown.

(401) 294-3331, northkingstown.org

Blue, Compass Rose, Calf Pasture Point, Spink’s Neck Beaches: These four tranquil beaches in the Quonset Business Park look out over the West Passage.

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Rome Point: Rocky beach, great for seal-watching and sea-glass hunting, in John H. Chafee Nature Preserve.

For more information on the hike to the beach, go to dem.ri.gov and search for Chafee Nature Preserve.

North Kingstown Town Beach: Family-friendly with gentle surf.

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Portsmouth's beaches

Ava, 4, and Trevor Siclari, 2, of East Providence, enjoy a peanut butter sandwich for lunch while at Sandy Point Beach, along the Sakonnet River, Portsmouth. Their mother Melissa Siclari likes the quiet beach.
Ava, 4, and Trevor Siclari, 2, of East Providence, enjoy a peanut butter sandwich for lunch while at Sandy Point Beach, along the Sakonnet River, Portsmouth. Their mother Melissa Siclari likes the quiet beach.

(401) 683-2101, portsmouthri.com/168/Beaches

Sandy Point Beach: Relaxed, natural spot with shallow water, favored by families.

Teddy’s Beach: Small, pet-friendly beach with no facilities or lifeguards.

South Kingstown's public beaches

East Matunuck Beach is a popular place to enjoy the water and sun.
East Matunuck Beach is a popular place to enjoy the water and sun.

(401) 789-9301, southkingstownri.com/435/visitors

East Matunuck State Beach: Busy beach with fine sand and good surf.

Town Beach at Matunuck: Family-friendly with a playground and a walkway to the beach.

Tiverton coast:

View from Fogland Beach overlooking the Sakonnet River that includes Fogland Marsh Preserve and the Fogland Beach Conservation Area , Tiverton.
View from Fogland Beach overlooking the Sakonnet River that includes Fogland Marsh Preserve and the Fogland Beach Conservation Area , Tiverton.

(401) 625-6710, www.tiverton.ri.gov/boards/recreation.php

Fogland Beach: Tranquil, great for windsurfing.

Warren's public beach

A small sunfish regatta under sail in the waters off Warren Town Beach on a Sunday afternoon. afternoon.
A small sunfish regatta under sail in the waters off Warren Town Beach on a Sunday afternoon. afternoon.

(401) 245-7340, townofwarren-ri.gov/visitingwarren/thewaterfront.html

Warren Town Beach: Situated on Warren River next to Burr’s Hill Park, this beach offers shallow water and a picnic area. A popular spot for get-togethers.

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Warwick Beaches

(401) 738-2019, warwickri.gov

City Park (Buttonwoods Beach): Popular park and beach area with baseball fields, bike paths and facilities.

Conimicut Point Beach: Stony beach with views across the Bay.

Goddard Memorial State Park Beach: Quiet, sandy beach in a state park, popular spot for sunbathing, fishing and hiking.

Oakland Beach: Small inlet beach. Quick walk to restaurants.

Sandy Point Beach: Bay beach with limited parking.

Misquamicut State Beach on a Saturday in July.
Misquamicut State Beach on a Saturday in July.

Westerly's world-famous beaches

(401) 348-2715, westerlyrec.com

Misquamicut State Beach: Clean, popular beach. Parking, facilities, concessions and surf.

Napatree Point: Sandy stretch between the Bay and the ocean. Great spot for hiking and bird-watching.

Wuskenau Beach: Town-operated beach with facilities, concessions and parking.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rhode Island beaches: 2023 guide to public access, parking, fees