South County features spectacular beaches and ocean views

Rhode Island > South County > On the Water > Beaches

Block Island Ferry

304 Great Island Road Narragansett, RI, 02882 Phone: 401-783-7996 Toll-Free: 866-783-7996

There’s a beach for every personality, and every activity, on Block Island – and great ferries to get you there.

People may take the Block Island Ferry from different ports – Narragansett [Point Judith] or Newport, RI — but most of them have one thing in common: They want to hit those gorgeous island beaches, whether it’s to ride the waves off Black Rock or Mansion Beach, marvel at underwater life by snorkeling at Surf Beach, fish for stripers off Charlestown Beach or dig for quahogs on Andy’s Way Beach. Families love Town Beach with its concession stand, and sunsets are spectacular at Grace’s Cove. The views of North Light are stunning at Cow Cove and the North Light Area, and Mohegan Bluffs, with its dramatic panoramic views and backdrop of spectacular cliffs, is on everyone’s favorites list. Stroll along Dinghy Beach or Conneymus Coves.

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EASST MATUNUCK BEACH IN RI- shutterstock

East Matunuck State Beach

950 Succotash Road South Kingstown, RI, 02881 Phone: 401-789-8585

East Matunuck State Beach is inside scenic marshlands, has soft sand, and is smaller and less-frequented than surrounding beaches. A great place to people-watch. Lots of seaweed near the shore.
Amenities: Picnic site, jetty, restroom, pavilion, snack bar, wheelchair access.
Season/Hours: Memorial Day through Labor Day (weather permitting), 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fees: See top of this page for parking information and fees.

Scarborough State Beaches (North and South)

870-970 Ocean Road Narragansett, RI, 02882 Phone: 401-789-2324

Clean, sandy Rhode Island beach. Moderate to heavy surf with occasional strong undertow. Excellent for body surfing or boarding. Lifeguards on duty 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Amenities: Pavilions, picnic site, restrooms, snack bar, showers, boardwalk with gazebos, wheelchair accessible.
Season/Hours: Open weekends May 1 through Memorial Day (weather permitting); open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fees: See top of this page for parking information and fees.

Narragansett Town Beach

39, 77, and 81 Boston Neck Road (Route 1A) Narragansett, RI Phone: 401-783-6430

This half-mile beach, located in the center of Narragansett, has calm waves and plenty of family-friendly events. Surfing lessons and leagues, aerobics classes, junior lifeguard program, musical concerts, sand castle contests, volleyball leagues.
Amenities: Rental cabanas, lockers, showers, restrooms, snack bar, picnic site, first aid, handicap access, pavilions, picnic areas, changing rooms, boardwalk for beach access.
Fees: Parking, $10 weekdays, $15 weekends. Admission for one person, $12.

Paddys Beach Club - Misquamicut Beach, RI

Misquamicut State Beach

257 Atlantic Avenue Westerly, RI Phone: 401-596-9097

Seven miles of sandy, white Rhode Island beach along the length of Atlantic Avenue. Clean, clear, water with moderate surf, little undertow, and smooth sand with a gradual drop-off at Rhode Island’s largest state beach. A great spot for body and board surfing. Lifeguards on duty all season. Parking for 3,000 cars.
Amenities: Observation tower, wheelchair access, pavilion, picnic site, telephone, restrooms, showers, first aid, snack bar.
Season/Hours: Open only weekends, May through Memorial Day (weather permitting); open daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Charlestown Breachway State Beach

Beach for swimming, fishing, shell fishing, panoramic view of Block Island Sound. Day parking for 100 cars. Lifeguard on duty. No pets allowed.
Amenities: Wheelchair accessible, fishing pier, campsites, boat ramp, restrooms (no showers).
Season/Hours: Summer, dawn – dusk
Fees: See top of this page for parking information and fees.

North Kingstown Town Beach

Beach Street North Kingstown, RI, 02852 Phone: 401-294-3331

This small, shaded, tranquil beach has a grassy lawn just behind the sandy shore. There are small crabs and shellfish in the first few yards of shallow water. YMCA Lifeguards on duty during open hours. During the summer, daytime parking is restricted to town residents, but there is public parking available later in the day, when the town crowd goes home.
Amenities: Grill, picnic site, playground, trash receptacles, restrooms, telephone, wheelchair accessible.
Season/Hours: June – Labor Day, daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Blue Shutters Town Beach

469 East Beach Road Charlestown, RI, 02813 Phone: 401-315-2116

Great views of Block Island Sound at three-mile-long, family-oriented beach near Rhode Island’s Ninigret Conservation Area and adjacent to Ninigret Pond. Moderate surf. Located near the intersection of East Beach Road and Garden Pond Drive. Lifeguards on duty during the summer. On-site amenities include a snack bar, picnic site, restrooms, showers, changing rooms, beach accessible wheelchairs.
Hours: During the Summer 9am - 6pm weekdays, 8:30am - 6pm weekends & holidays.
Fees:Non-Resident Daily passes are $20 on weekdays, $40 on weekends & holidays. Resident beach stickers are $60 for the season, $30 for seniors.

East Beach and Ninigret Conservation Area (Ninigret State Beach)

Off East Beach Road Charlestown, RI, 02813 Phone: 401-322-0450

Three-mile-long oceanfront barrier beach. Limited parking fills up quickly on summer mornings. Popular beach for swimming, boating, 4x4 vehicles (license required) and shell fishing (license required). Adjacent to Ninigret Pond, a popular windsurfing spot. Lifeguard on duty 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Amenities: Restrooms, campsites. No alcohol, pets, or fires allowed.
Season/Hours: mid-April – October 31, 7 a.m. - 11 p.m
Fees: See top of this page for parking information and fees.

Salty Brine State Beach

254 Great Island Road Narragansett, RI Phone: 401-789-3563

Sandy, clean Rhode Island beach. Gentle surf sheltered by a breakwater. No undertow, gradual drop, near fishing port. Great for kids, swimming, and fishing. Lifeguards on duty 9 a.m. – 6 p.m seasonally.
Amenities: Restroom, “green” pavilion.
Fees: See top of this page for parking information and fees.

Burlingame State Park

1 Burlingame State Park Road Charlestown, RI, 02813 Phone: 401-322-8910

Fresh-water swimming at a beach and other water sports like boating and fishing are allowed on Watchaug Pond, located within this large, forested state park. - Campground Map (PDF) - Picnic Area Map (PDF)

Napatree Point

Half-mile beach separates Watch Hill’s Little Narragansett bay from the ocean. A less accessible shoreline is balanced by beautiful scenic views of Fisher’s Island and Watch Hill Lighthouse. Favorite spot for boaters, water skiers, bird watchers, and photographers. Hike sandy walking trails. Provides a year-round habitat for a variety of species. Acces¬sible from two paved parking lots on Bay Street.
Amenities: None.
Fees: Admission and parking are free.

Atlantic Beach Park

321-338 Atlantic Avenue Misquamicut, RI, 02891 Phone: 401-322-0504

Rhode Island’s Atlantic Beach Park has a family beach and plenty of opportunities for fun and recreation.
Amenities: Amusements, kids’ rides, seafood restaurants, snack bars, waterslide, carousel, batting cages, game room, ocean side patio bar. Restrooms, telephone, wheelchair accessible.
Season/Hours: 8 a.m. – dusk
Fees: Parking fee from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., $15 weekdays and $20 weekends

Quonochontaug Beach (Quonnie Beach)

Sand Trail (off of Spray Rock Road) Charlestown, RI, 02813 Phone:

Swimming, excellent fishing at the breachway. Undeveloped, privately owned barrier beach operated by the Quonochontaug Beach Conservation Commission. Swimming areas with lifeguards are restricted to property owners and require a pass.
Season/Hours: The public may park here during specified times, primarily off-season, and to walk to the beach and pond on marked sand trails.

Watch Hill Beach (Carousel Beach)

151 Bay Street Westerly, RI, 02891 Phone: 401-348-6007

Clean, serene beach in Westerly, Rhode Island, located near an antique carousel and a few blocks of shops and restaurants. This family beach has small waves. The beach is near the start of a one-mile walk out to scenic Naptree Point. In summer, parking lot fills early and street parking is very hard to find. Bathhouses, picnic site, restrooms, snack bar, wheelchair access.
Admission: Adults, $9; youth ages 13-17, $5; children age 3-12, $3.
Hours: Memorial Day weekend and weekends in June, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; mid-June 17h through Labor Day, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: weekends in September, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Charlestown Town Beach

557 Charlestown Beach Road Charlestown, RI, 02813 Phone: 401-364-7000

Fine sand and moderate to heavy surf, occasional undertow. Located adjacent to Charlestown Breachway. No pets allowed. Lifeguards on duty during seasonal hours.
Amenities: Picnic site, restrooms, wheelchair access.
Season/Hours: Weekdays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Weekends and holidays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Fees: Resident sticker, $60; senior resident sticker, $30; Blue Shutters Beach $120 / $60; daily fee: $20

Roger Wheeler State Beach

100 Sand Hill Cove Road Narragansett, RI Phone: 401-789-8374 Toll-Free: 401-789-8374

Also known as Sand Hill Cove Beach. Popular beach for young children, fully protected by breakwater. Lifeguard on duty 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. No pets allowed.
Amenities: Picnic site, restroom, snack bar, swingset, wheelchair accessible.
Season/Hours: Open weekends May 1 through Memorial Day; open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fees: See top of this page for parking information and fees.

South Kingstown Town Beach at Matunuck

Matunuck Beach Road South Kingstown, RI, 02879 Phone: 401-789-9331

Over 1,300 feet of sand and water with crashing, rougher surf and occasional rip tides. Not recommended for poor swimmers or kids, but great for body and board surfing. Sunbathe and watch the Block Island ferries.
Amenities: Restrooms, wheelchair access, playground, volleyball court, picnic site, boardwalk.
Season/Hours: Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Paddy's Beach Club & Tikki Beach - Creative Oceanfront Dining in Misquamicut, RI

State

Blackstone Valley

Block Island

Newport

Providence Warwick