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.