Best RI Beaches to Visit this Summer

Best RI Beaches to Visit this Summer

July 18, 2018

Photo by Lila Delman

The weather this summer in Rhode Island has been very nice and you may be considering about scheduling a beach day with family and friends. The Ocean State has nearly 400 miles of coastline. Here’s a list of some of our favorite Rhode Island beaches worthy of a visit this summer.

Middletown

  •  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.

Newport

  • Easton’s Beach (First Beach) Newport’s only ocean beach is ideal for families, with a playground plus cabanas, chairs, and boards (surf, boogie) to rent.

South Kingstown

  • East Matunuck State Beach: Busy beach with fine sand and good surf. Head over to nearby Matunuck Oyster Bar for a great lunch or dinner.

Narragansett

  • 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. The state’s surfer-go-to, with swells up to four feet. Rent a board and take a lesson.

Westerly

  • Misquamicut State Beach: Clean, popular beach. Parking, facilities, concessions and surf. The 7-mile long stretch of sand is the state’s longest, and possibly most action-packed, with paddle boats and jet skis to rent, surf lessons on offer, and nearby bumper boats, batting cages, a carousel, and water slides. By night, find beach concerts and karaoke.
  • East Beach: Adjacent to the Ocean House’s private beach, and in the shadow of Taylor Swift’s summer retreat. East Beach is a windy, old money-new money hangout with a view of Block Island and local teens who come to hang out on the East Beach Wall and watch each other attempt to catch waves.

Block Island (New Shoreham)

  • Ballard’s Beach: A quick walk from the ferry landing. Beachgoers can rent umbrellas and chairs and enjoy cocktails on the sand. Block Island’s no-cover private beach is a short walk from the ferry docks and a perfect microcosm of all of Rhode Island.