Quick answer: Rhode Island’s best beaches include Misquamicut and East Beach in the Westerly area, Napatree Point at Watch Hill, Narragansett Town Beach, Scarborough and East Matunuck state beaches, Easton’s Beach in Newport, and the wilder beaches of Block Island such as Mansion Beach and the cove below Mohegan Bluffs. Summer weekends are crowded, so arrive early or late in the day. Lifeguards work only in season, and many smaller beaches have none.
Rhode Island is small, but its coast is long and full of variety: wide Atlantic surf beaches, quiet salt-pond shores, rocky coves and island beaches reached by ferry. Most state beaches have lifeguards, restrooms and paid parking from late May to early September, while many town and island beaches are simpler. Parking fees and resident rules vary, so check the state parks website or the local town before you go.
Westerly and Watch Hill
1. Misquamicut State Beach, Westerly
Misquamicut State Beach is one of Rhode Island’s most popular summer beaches, with lifeguards in season and plenty of food and drink stands nearby. It is a favourite with families and gets busy on warm weekends, so arrive early if you are driving. Note that some nearby beaches in the Misquamicut area are private or for residents only.
2. East Beach, Watch Hill
East Beach at Watch Hill is a stretch of sand running east from the Watch Hill area towards Misquamicut, managed by the East Beach Association. It is known for its natural setting, backed by dunes, and the association’s motto asks visitors to leave only footprints. Access and parking are limited, so check the rules before you go.
3. Napatree Point Conservation Area, Westerly
Napatree Point is a sandy spit that stretches about 1.5 miles west from Watch Hill and is the southernmost and westernmost point of mainland Rhode Island. Managed by the Watch Hill Fire District and the Watch Hill Conservancy, it is both a public beach and a wildlife preserve, protecting nesting shorebirds such as the endangered piping plover. Walk out to see the remains of Fort Mansfield, a coastal artillery fort built around 1900. Keep out of roped-off nesting areas.
4. Wuskenau Beach, Westerly
Wuskenau Beach, also known as Westerly’s New Town Beach, is next to Misquamicut, so it is easy to combine the two. It is usually less crowded than the state beach, and the shops and restaurants of the Misquamicut and Westerly area are close by.
South County: Charlestown, South Kingstown and Narragansett
5. East Beach, Charlestown
East Beach State Beach, in the Ninigret Conservation Area, is a long, undeveloped barrier beach between Ninigret Pond and the Atlantic. With few buildings and natural dunes, it is one of the wildest beaches on the Rhode Island mainland. Parking is limited, so arrive early on summer weekends.
6. East Matunuck State Beach, South Kingstown
East Matunuck State Beach is known for its waves, which draw surfers and bodyboarders, and for its dunes. From the beach you can watch the Block Island ferries and fishing boats heading in and out of Galilee. It has lifeguards, restrooms and showers in season.
7. South Kingstown Town Beach
South Kingstown Town Beach, next to Willow Dell Beach, is a calmer town beach with dunes, picnic areas and a playground, which makes it a good choice for families with young children.
8. Narragansett Town Beach
Narragansett Town Beach is a classic New England beach in the centre of Narragansett, with soft sand, ocean views and good surf. It is one of the state’s most popular beaches, with restrooms, lifeguards in season and restaurants nearby. Fees apply in summer; check the town’s current rates.
9. Scarborough State Beach, Narragansett
The Scarborough State Beach complex, with north and south sections, is one of Rhode Island’s busiest beaches and easy to reach from Providence. It has a large pavilion and boardwalk, restrooms and showers in season, and lifeguards, with surfing, swimming and volleyball all popular.
10. Salty Brine State Beach, Galilee
Salty Brine State Beach is one of Rhode Island’s smallest state beaches, set beside the harbour at Galilee in Narragansett, where the Block Island ferries leave. Sheltered water and soft sand make it good for paddling and swimming with children, and it is handy for a swim before or after a ferry trip.
Newport and the East Bay
11. Easton’s Beach (First Beach), Newport
Easton’s Beach, also called First Beach, is Newport’s largest ocean beach, a three-quarter-mile stretch of sand with a boardwalk and Atlantic surf that is popular with surfers. The City of Newport runs lifeguards, bath houses and paid parking in season, and the Save The Bay Exploration Center and Aquarium is beside the beach. The beach’s snack bar and carousel building has recently been taken down after repeated storm damage, and the city is planning a redesign of the site, so some older facilities may not be available.
12. Goosewing Beach Preserve, Little Compton
Goosewing Beach Preserve, owned by The Nature Conservancy, is a barrier beach beside Quicksand Pond, with the Benjamin Family Environmental Center nearby. It is one of the quietest beaches in the state, even in summer, and is reached by walking from Little Compton’s South Shore Beach. Shorebirds nest here, so keep to marked areas.
13. South Shore Beach, Little Compton
South Shore Beach, the Town of Little Compton’s beach, is a quiet spot popular with locals, surfers and bodyboarders, and the gateway to Goosewing. There is a fee for parking in season.
14. Teddy’s Beach, Portsmouth
Teddy’s Beach is a small, quiet beach on the Sakonnet River in Portsmouth. It has soft sand and calm water, but there are no lifeguards, so take care when swimming.
15. Buttonwood Beach, Warwick
Buttonwood Beach is in Warwick City Park on Narragansett Bay, so it combines a beach with a large park: playgrounds, ball fields and paths for walking, running and cycling.
Block Island
Block Island, reached by ferry from Point Judith (Galilee), Newport and other ports, has about 17 miles of beaches. The main town beach (Fred Benson Town Beach) has lifeguards in summer; many of the island’s other beaches do not, so take extra care there.
16. Mohegan Bluffs
Mohegan Bluffs are clay cliffs about 150 feet high on Block Island’s south shore, with sweeping views over the Atlantic. A steep staircase of more than 100 steps leads down to the beach below. The bluffs are eroding, which is why the nearby Southeast Lighthouse was moved back from the edge, so stay on paths and never climb the cliffs. (An earlier version of this article said the bluffs are 200 feet high.)
17. Mansion Beach
Mansion Beach, on the east side of Block Island off Corn Neck Road, is a wide, beautiful beach known for good waves for bodysurfing. It takes its name from a mansion that once overlooked the beach and later burned down; stone pillars mark the old entrance.
18. Vaill Beach
Vaill Beach is a secluded, rocky beach near the Mohegan Bluffs on the island’s south side. It is good for beachcombing, and Painted Rock, a local landmark, is nearby. The surf can be rough and rocks line the shallows, so take care if you go in.
19. Cooneymus Cove
Cooneymus Cove is one of the secluded coves on Block Island’s west side, reached by dirt roads. It is rocky and pebbly rather than sandy, but it is a peaceful place for walking, fishing and sunsets.
20. Andy’s Way
Andy’s Way is a sheltered beach on the Great Salt Pond, reached by a dirt road off Corn Neck Road. The calm water suits young children, and the area is good for spotting crabs and egrets, launching a kayak, or clamming (a licence from the harbourmaster is needed). Because the pond is tidal, the beach shrinks at high tide.
Tips for Rhode Island beaches
- Parking: State beaches charge parking fees in season, with lower rates for Rhode Island residents. Town beaches set their own fees and rules.
- Timing: Beaches are busiest in July and August, especially at weekends. Arrive early or late in the day for a quieter visit.
- Safety: Swim at lifeguarded beaches when you can, and watch for rip currents on surf beaches.
Planning more beach trips in the northeast? See our guides to Cooper’s Beach in Southampton, New York, the best beaches in Maryland and the best beaches in the USA.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular beach in Rhode Island?
Misquamicut, Scarborough and Narragansett Town Beach are among the busiest in summer.
Which Rhode Island beaches are best for families?
Calmer beaches such as Salty Brine, South Kingstown Town Beach and Andy’s Way on Block Island suit young children. Lifeguarded state beaches are a safe choice for swimming.
Where can you surf in Rhode Island?
East Matunuck, Narragansett Town Beach, Easton’s Beach in Newport and South Shore Beach in Little Compton are popular with surfers.
How do you get to Block Island’s beaches?
Take a ferry, most commonly from Point Judith in Galilee, then explore the island by bike, moped, taxi or on foot.
Details checked in October 2026 against the City of Newport, The Nature Conservancy, Watch Hill and Block Island visitor information, and published records for Rhode Island’s beaches. Fees, lifeguard schedules and facilities change each season, so check before you go.
