Rhode Island Beaches

With over 400 miles of stunning coastline, it’s no wonder Rhode Island, the Ocean State, is famous for its beautiful beaches! Each one has its own unique vibe, from bustling spots with concessions and family-friendly amenities to quieter stretches perfect for sea glass and seashell collecting. Whether you’re into swimming, sunbathing, surfing, building sandcastles, or just soaking in the ocean views, Rhode Island has a beach for you—and off-season, parking is free! Popular spots like Narragansett Town Beach and Misquamicut State Beach offer classic New England seaside experiences, while Charlestown’s East Beach and Block Island’s secluded sands invite visitors to relax in nature. So pack your sunscreen, pick your beach, and enjoy Rhode Island’s incredible shoreline!

State Beaches

Charlestown Breachway State Beach

Charlestown Breachway State Beach in Charlestown sits along Block Island Sound, with its namesake breachway—a man-made channel—linking Ninigret Pond to the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the sound, excellent saltwater fishing, ocean swimming, and easy boat access. Adjacent to the beach is a state campground with 75 RV sites, making it a popular spot for outdoor lovers.

After the Beach: Before heading home, grab a bite nearby at The Breachway Grill, enjoy treats at The Bakery, relax at The Cove, or pick up a slice at Charlestown Famous Pizza!

East Matunuck State Beach

East Matunuck State Beach spans 102 scenic acres with saltwater and surf perfect for boogie boarding and surfing, and it's known for relatively warm water and sandy shores sprinkled with seashells. The beach boasts ample parking, including a convenient EV charging station with a four-hour max charge. Visitors enjoy a modern, eco-friendly pavilion with solar power, a food stand, restrooms, free rinse-off showers, coin-operated hot showers, and beach-accessible wheelchairs available at no cost. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer season.

After the Beach: Stop by local favorites like Matunuck Oyster Bar, Jim’s Dock, or The Salt Marsh Pub & Raw Bar for fresh seafood, drinks, and the perfect end to your beach day.

East Beach

East Beach offers three miles of beautiful, untouched shoreline in Charlestown. As one of Rhode Island’s more secluded beaches, it stretches along Quonochontaug Neck and borders the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, making it a haven for birdwatching, especially for Piping Plovers. This barrier beach has limited parking, six changing rooms, and a small seasonal lifeguard section, along with a 20-site campground. A Barrier Beach Pass is required for vehicles to drive or camp on the sand. It’s an excellent spot for saltwater fishing, shell fishing, swimming, and peaceful beachcombing.

After the Beach: Enjoy local favorites like The Hitching Post Restaurant, The Cove, or The Haversham for fresh food and drinks to round out your beach day.

Misquamicut State Beach

Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly is one of Rhode Island’s most popular summer destinations. This expansive seven-mile stretch of sand includes over half a mile of well-maintained beachfront, often bustling on sunny weekends. The beach features a modern pavilion, outdoor showers, composting toilets, bathhouses, concession stands, a gift shop, and shaded gazebos. Kids and families enjoy nearby attractions like bumper boats, batting cages, a carousel, and rentals for paddleboats and jet skis, plus surf lessons for beginners.

After the Beach: Head to Paddy's Beach Club, Two Little Fish, or Windjammer Surf Bar, where you can savor fresh seafood and relax just steps from the shoreline.

Roger Wheeler State Beach

Roger Wheeler State Beach, known to some as Sand Hill Cove, sits along Block Island Sound in Narragansett and has been a family favorite since its opening in 1929 as Rhode Island’s first state beach. This 27-acre beach offers calm waters and gentle surf with a gradual drop-off, perfect for young children. Facilities include a modern pavilion, a marine education area with local sea creatures, a playground, picnic tables, a concession building, and coin-operated hot showers. Lifeguards are on duty seasonally, and there’s ample parking for easy access.

After the Beach: Stop by Rhode Island classics like Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House or Aunt Carrie’s for clam shack treats. For a relaxing rooftop experience, enjoy drinks and snacks at Chair 5 in The Break Hotel.

Salty Brine State Beach

Salty Brine State Beach, nestled in the charming fishing village of Galilee, spans just over an acre along the shoreline, making it an ideal spot for watching fishing boats and the Block Island Ferry. Its breakwaters and gentle slope create calm, warm, and shallow waters, perfect for families with young children. The beach offers amenities like a pavilion with a concession stand, restrooms, coin-operated hot showers, and a lifeguard tower. A boardwalk along the jetty features overlook platforms and decks, and the facilities are powered by a small wind turbine for eco-friendly energy.

After the Beach: Explore local gift shops or savor fresh seafood and live entertainment at George's of Galilee. For a casual meal, visit Champlin's Seafood for takeout or dining in, or relax at Buster Krab's Grill & Beach Bar for cocktails and more seafood delights.

Scarborough State Beach

Scarborough State Beach, renowned as Rhode Island's most popular beach, stretches along the Atlantic Ocean in Narragansett and features both North and South sections. It offers a variety of activities, including saltwater bathing, surfing, and picnicking. Visitors can enjoy two pavilions, both equipped with hot and cold showers, along with 75 picnic tables, shaded shelters, and a scenic concrete boardwalk featuring gazebos and an observation tower with viewing glasses. The pavilions also house a food court and gift shop, and ample paved parking is available for convenience.

After the Beach: Before or after your beach day, treat yourself to all-day breakfast or lunch at Meldgie's Diner. For a quick bite, grab a slice at Casa Pizza, or head to one of the nearby clam shacks in Point Judith for some local seafood.

Rhode Island State Beach Parking Passes

Rhode Island’s state beaches use a convenient license plate-based parking system. Beach attendants scan your front plate for quick entry, and those with pre-purchased passes can access express lanes. Beach parking passes, required from May through Labor Day, can be bought online from January to August or in person at select locations in Narragansett. A new pass is needed each year for access to all eight state beaches, including Charlestown Breachway, East Beach, East Matunuck, Misquamicut, Roger Wheeler, Scarborough North and South, and Salty Brine. With over 400 miles of coastline, Rhode Island’s beaches are a must-visit!

Purchase Pass

Town Beaches

Ballard's Beach

New Shoreham (Block Island), RI

Just south of the Block Island ferry dock, Ballard’s Beach at Ballard’s Inn offers a lively, pet-friendly vibe with beachside food service, daily live music, and a youthful crowd. With lifeguards, restrooms, volleyball, picnic areas, and rentals, admission and parking are free.

Bristol Town Beach

Bristol, RI

Across from Colt State Park, this Bristol beach offers a grassy area with a playground, picnic tables, and plenty of sports facilities, including basketball, soccer, tennis, and a fitness trail. Lifeguards are on duty in the summer, with amenities like a snack bar, restrooms, and ample parking. Open May to October; entry fees are $6 to $10.

Conimicut Point Beach

Warwick, RI

Conimicut Point Park features sandy beaches, picnic areas, a playground, and beautiful water views, perfect for families and kayakers. It offers stunning sunset scenes and a clear view of the historic Conimicut Lighthouse, still active on the Providence River.

Easton's Beach (First Beach)

Newport, RI

Newport’s First Beach, the largest ocean beach, is close to Cliff Walk and perfect for families, with Family Nights on Tuesdays and Children’s Nights on Thursdays in July and August. Amenities include rentals, a snack bar, beach store, playground, restrooms, showers, skate park, carousel, and aquarium. Parking is $15 weekdays, $25 weekends/holidays; season passes are $80 for non-residents.

Fogland Beach

Tiverton, RI

Fogland Beach, a black stone beach on the south side of Fogland Point, is popular with kayakers and windsurfers. It offers changing rooms, showers, picnic benches, a playground, and is pet-friendly. The conservation area nearby has trails and a wildlife preserve, with sweeping views of the Sakonnet River and Portsmouth shoreline on clear days.

Mansion Beach

New Shoreham (Block Island), RI

Mansion Beach, known for the stone foundation of the old Searles Mansion and dance hall, is accessible by walking or biking from Corn Neck Road. While there’s a large parking lot, the walk to the beach is a bit lengthy. It’s a favorite spot for picnicking families and is great for swimming and body surfing. There are no amenities, and it’s open year-round from dawn to dusk, with free admission and parking.

Narragansett Town Beach

Narragansett, RI

Located in central Narragansett, this half-mile beach offers calm waves and family-friendly events like surfing lessons, concerts, and sandcastle contests. Amenities include rental cabanas, showers, restrooms, a snack bar, picnic areas, and handicap access. Parking is $10 on weekdays and $15 on weekends, with a $12 admission fee per person.

North Kingstown Town Beach

North Kingstown, RI

This small, tranquil beach features a grassy area behind the sand and shallow waters with small crabs and shellfish. YMCA lifeguards are on duty during open hours. Daytime parking is restricted to town residents in the summer, but public parking becomes available later in the day. Amenities include a grill, picnic site, playground, restrooms, and wheelchair access. The beach is open from June to Labor Day, daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Oakland Beach

Warwick, RI

Nestled in a charming cottage neighborhood, Oakland Beach is a local favorite for a relaxing day by the water. This saltwater beach on Greenwich Bay features gentle waves, ideal for young swimmers, along with fishing, picnicking, and shaded areas. Enjoy nearby dining options and a frozen lemonade truck in the parking lot.

Sandy Point Beach

Portsmouth, RI

Located at the end of Sandy Point Avenue, this shallow, sandy beach along the Sakonnet River is family-friendly and features lifeguards on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Amenities include changing rooms, restrooms, and picnic areas. Admission for non-residents is $15 Monday-Thursday and $20 Friday-Sunday, with a season pass available for $50.

Sachuest Beach (Second Beach)

Middletown, RI

Sachuest Beach, or Second Beach, is a mile-long family-friendly spot with soft sand and good surf. Amenities include a concession stand, restrooms, changing areas, showers, grills, picnic tables, and shade structures. Surfboard rentals and lessons are available, along with a Del's Lemonade truck. Additional showers are at Surfer’s End on the west side.

South Shore Beach

Little Compton, RI

South Shore Beach in Little Compton, RI, is a serene, sandy retreat ideal for families and nature lovers. With gentle waves perfect for swimming and beachcombing, it offers stunning ocean views and picnic spots. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer, ensuring safety for all visitors. This hidden gem captures the charm of Rhode Island's coastal beauty.

Spring Lake Beach & Arcade

Burrillville, RI

Spring Lake Beach and Arcade in Burrillville, RI, is a recreational facility featuring 750 feet of beachfront. Enjoy a volleyball court, food concessions, paddleboats, and canoes, along with entertainment options. The venue also includes an arcade and hall rentals for special events.

Warren Town Beach

Warren, RI

This small beach, located at the southern end of Water Street on the Warren River, features a gentle slope and clear, calm water, making it safe for kids. Fishing off the pier is popular. Amenities include restrooms, a picnic site, a playground, and a fishing pier. Admission is free, with parking available for $5, though the lot is under construction, so visitors must find street parking. Open summer, dawn to dusk.

Warwick City Park & Beach

Warwick, RI

Buttonwoods Beach in Warwick City Park is a family-friendly saltwater beach with gentle waves, perfect for wading and swimming. Amenities include a bathhouse and scenic bay views. The 125-acre park features paved paths for biking and running, fenced dog parks, picnic areas, baseball and soccer fields, and a tranquil stone circle for meditation.

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