Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the country at just 37 miles wide and 48 miles long, but when it comes to beaches, it seriously overdelivers. Thanks to its winding shoreline, scenic bays, quiet coves, and offshore islands, the Ocean State actually has more than 400 miles of coastline – which means it’s home to an impressive variety of beaches packed into a surprisingly small area to explore.
Having visited the state’s many beaches for years as an out-of-state resident, I’m here to help you navigate the best, most beautiful beaches in Rhode Island to explore as a tourist – the ones are actually open to the public, and not just for residents. It’s easy to pop onto Google and look for the best beaches near where you’re staying, but some of them are for local residents only in the summer, and it can get confusing and overwhelming. All of the beaches in this guide are ones you can actually visit as a tourist.
Ready to get started planning your perfect Rhode Island beach vacation? Let’s go!
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Most Beautiful Public Beaches In Rhode Island to Visit
These are not in any particular order, as they’re all worth visiting on your trip.
1. Scarborough State Beach, Narragansett
Narragansett is one of my favorite beach towns in Rhode Island, and Scarborough State Beach is a fantastic one to visit. It’s got over 2,000 feet of sandy shoreline to explore, and while you will encounter some rocks here and there in the sand, it’s generally comfortable for walking.
This beach has amenities like bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers, pavilions, picnic areas, and a large parking lot. The water here can get a little wavy, too, and some folks use this beach for surfing lessons, so that’s something to keep in mind with smaller children. However, the waves don’t get super high here, so it’s still very much a family-friendly beach.
Additionally, you can actually take a walk on the shore to the Black Point Ruins, which are the remains of a grand seaside mansion built over 100 years ago, where just a few stone arches still stand overlooking the ocean. If you really wanted to combine your beach day with a fantastic coastal walk, you can bring your sneakers and continue on the Black Point trail from here to enjoy stunning views on this underrated nature walk.
Daily parking fees apply from May through Labor Day. For exact dates each season, click here to visit the Rhode Island state parks website, which will list opening dates for amenities and paid parking.
Pro Tip For Parking: All Rhode Island State Beaches allow you to purchase your daily parking pass online in advance via their website here for summer visits when fees are collected. This will allow you to use an express lane when you arrive, and you’ll be guaranteed parking, which makes for a stress-free day. So, for any beach on this list that has State Beach in the name, please know buying your pass in advance is encouraged!
2. East Matunuck State Beach, South Kingstown
East Matunuck is such a beautiful beach that’s very much worth visiting. While it does get busy in the summer season, it’s loaded with amenities on top of its natural beauty, making it a fantastic option for spending the entire day here.
While at this beach, you can often spot the Block Island ferries coming and going from the nearby Point Judith in Naragansset, which is fun to see.
One thing to keep in mind for your visit is that this beach tends to have stronger waves, making is a good option for surfers, but may require extra caution if visiting with small children.
The amenities at East Matunuk include hot and cold showers, clean bathroom facilities, and food concession, shaded areas for those sensitive to the sun, and picnic areas.
Lastly, the iconic Matunuk Oyster Bar is just a few minutes away, and the perfect way to end your beach day. This is often regarded as one of the best seafood restaurants in all of Rhode Island, largely due to their own oyster farm, so it’s definitely worth getting a dinner reservation here after your beach day – just bring a change of clothes and plan to use the beach’s shower facilities before heading to the restaurant. It’s a casual place, but you definitely don’t want to show up in beachwear.
Editor’s Note: In 2025, Matunuk Oyster Bar had a fire that demolished most of the restaurant. They have opened a temporary restaurant nearby, and are working to rebuild the original facility. But keep this in mind for visits through 2026. I’m keeping an eye on this, and will update once I have more information.
Daily parking fees apply from May through Labor Day. For exact dates each season, click here to visit the Rhode Island state parks website, which will list opening dates for amenities and paid parking.
3. Second Beach, Middletown
My favorite beach in the Newport area of Rhode Island is most definitely Second Beach. Located just a few minutes outside of Newport, it’s worth the drive to come to this beach when visiting Newport in the summer.
Also known as Sachuest Beach, the shoreline here stretches for about a mile long, and has lovely, soft sand and beautiful views. And despite it being just minutes from downtown Newport, it feels like a world away.
Facilities at Second Beach include bathrooms, changing rooms, and additional port-a-potties if you don’t want to walk to the bathrooms. They also have food concessions available, making it easy to visit in the afternoon during lunch time.
This is another great beach for surfing, as the surf tends to be great for beginner and moderate surfers, so you’ll want to keep that in mind when traveling with little kids.
Daily parking fees apply from May through Labor Day.
Psst! I have a Newport, RI day trip guide if you’re just coming in for the day and need some ideas 😉
4. Mansion Beach, Block Island
Block Island is such a fantastic destination to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to beaches in the Ocean State in the summer – largely because they’re stunning, but entirely free to visit. Even for tourists.
Mansion Beach continues to be my favorite beach on the island. I love that it’s quiet and more secluded, and there are no facilities, which adds to the peaceful ambiance here. While it does get somewhat busy in the summer, it never feels overwhelmingly so. If you ask any local on the island, they’re likely to tell you that this is where they all go for a beach day.
While it’s a gorgeous and quiet beach, that means it may not be the best option if you have very little kids simply because of the lack of facilities. It’s also a fantastic spot for sunrise if you’re a morning person.
Pro Tip: Parking for Mansion Beach is down a bumpy dirt road, so you’ll want to come prepared if it’s your first time. Mopeds are definitely NOT recommended, as it’ll be easy to wipe out on the road. If driving in a car, go very slowly. But I promise, it’s worth it.
5. Crescent Beach, Block Island
A little over a mile south of Mansion Beach is Crescent Beach, which is my second favorite beach on Block Island. This beach is just as pretty as Mansion, but has all the facilities you need to spend the day here, including food, bathrooms, lifeguards, and showers.
Crescent Beach is one of the longer ones on the island, stretching over 2 miles on the eastern shore, and has soft sand, and more gentle surf, making it a great spot for families with younger children.
The only downside is that this one tends to be more crowded than Mansion because of the facilities it offers. Parking for this beach is also along the road, but it’s free. Some spots are pull-in spots, and others, you’ll have to parallel park. Spots fill up fast in peak summer months (July & August).
That said, it’s such a beautiful beach that’s loved by frequent Block Island visitors.
6. Mohegan Bluffs Beach
Lastly for Block Island, Mohegan Bluffs Beach is such an iconic one in the state that I couldn’t not include it. It’s got rocky shoreline, but the stunning views of the towering bluffs, combined with the picturesque staircase that leads down to the beach are reasons enough to visit.
This beach is better for sightseeing and walking, versus spending a day here for swimming, simply because of the rocks. It’s not entirely made of rocks, but it’s also not the most comfortable for swimming – although, swimming is allowed here. There are no lifeguards here, and the surf can be rather strong, so you’ll just want to be mindful of all that if you do decide to go for a dip here.
I usually visit this beach to take in the views from the staircase, which will come right up in Google Maps, and also, to walk the shoreline and enjoy the view of the bluffs from the water. It’s an amazing spot for photography, and one of the best experiences on the island to have.
Parking for the staircase is limited, and only has enough space for about 15 cars – depending on the sizes of each vehicle. Many people bike or walk here for this reason, or visit in the early morning, or later in the day.
Psst! I have a detailed guide on a Block Island day trip, if you need more ideas for your trip 😉
7. Blue Shutters Beach, Charlestown
Charlestown is such an underrated part of the state for beaches, and two of them make it onto my list. Many local Rhode Island residents go here for beaches, as a lot of tourists visit places like Newport and Narragansett, which are definitely fantastic places for beaches. But Charlestown offers quintessential East Coast beach scenery, and longer stretches of shoreline.
The first Charlestown beach on my list is Blue Shutters, which has a nice sandy shoreline, and facilities like lifeguards, changing stalls, rinsing showers (cold water only), and bathrooms.
The biggest downside to Blue Shutters is the price. Non-residents will pay $25 on weekdays, and $40 on weekends. While I do think it’s worth it, you’ll need to factor that into your budget during your visit. The pay-off for the higher price is that these beaches tends to be less crowded than other places like Narragansett, and the sweeping views of Block Island sound are just so beautiful. Many people consider Charlestown to have the most beautiful beaches in the entire state.
Daily parking fees apply from May through Labor Day.
8. East Beach, Charlestown
Also in Charlestown, East Beach is another one of my favorites to visit. Located further down the road from Blue Shutters, this is a stunning 3-mile long barrier beach that separates Ninigret Pond from the ocean waters of Block Island Sound. Because of the size of the beach, this one tends to feel a lot more secluded than many of the others on this list – the small parking area also contributes to this feeling.
Also a quintessential New England beach experience, East Beach has everything you’re probably looking for – swaying beach grasses, rickety beach fences, and sandy shoreline perfect for walking and swimming.
This beach doesn’t have a lot of amenities, and doesn’t even have a modern bathroom. You’ll find composting toilets, lifeguards in the summer, and some changing rooms, but that’s it. No showers or food concessions. But that means you’ll have a much more peaceful experience here.
It’s also good to know that parking here is more limited, as mentioned, and on summer days, you’ll want to arrive early in the morning to snatch up a spot. This beach also tends to have wavier surf, so good to know when visiting with children.
Daily parking fees apply from May through Labor Day.
Pro Tip For Charlestown Beaches: On your way to the beach, stop at Quonnie Farms to pick up delicious sandwiches at this quaint little farmstand.
9. Misquamicut State Beach, Westerly
The most popular beach in Westerly is also one of the best in the state, and that’s Misquamicut State Beach. The shoreline on this beach stretches for about a half mile, and offers beautiful, soft sand, and plenty of amenities for a day of fun at the beach.
Amenities at Misquamicut include indoor and outdoor showers, bathrooms, a playground, a shaded pavilion to stay out of the sun, and picnic areas. The parking lot here is also pretty big, which allows more flexibility on your arrival time on busy summer days and weekends. Although, I’d still recommend getting there by 10:30a on a summer weekend to ensure you get a spot if you don’t get your parking pass online in advance.
The water conditions at Misquamicut vary, offering both gentle and wavier surf, so you’ll want to prepare for both before arrival. Windier days usually means higher surf.
Daily parking fees apply from May through Labor Day, and remember that this is a state beach, meaning you can buy your parking pass in advance online.
10. Watch Hill Beach & Napatree Point, Watch Hill
I’m combining both of these beaches into one because they’re right next to each other, and it’s easy to walk between the two when you visit.
Napatree Point’s beach is located at the very tip of the village of Watch Hill in Westerly. I think it’s the prettiest beach in town, and one of the best places to visit in Rhode Island. The conservation area is its own little peninsula that extends for over a mile with stunning ocean views. There aren’t any beach facilities here, so you’ll want to plan accordingly. But this means you’ll have a wonderfully authentic New England beach experience here, and it doesn’t tend to get as crowded as other popular beaches in the state – in my experience, anyway.
If you walk a bit on the shore toward town, you’ll also find Watch Hill beach, which isn’t as scenic, but since it runs right into Napatree, it’s worth checking out both.
As a bonus, Napatree is a wonderful sunset spot, and offers an ideal location to watch the sun go down over the water on a clear day.
This beach is free to visit, but parking nearby is a challenge, and requires advanced planning. Technically, parking along the streets in Watch Hill is limited to two hours. However, there is a paid lot that you can reserve in advance, but keep in mind that the daily parking fees are quite high. You can check out parking reservations for Watch Hill and Napatree here. To make the most of your money for parking, I’d recommend spending time in the quaint village of Watch Hill, too. There’s a cute little shopping area, the famous Ocean House resort for upscale dining, and the Watch Hill lighthouse.
Psst! I have a more detailed guide on the best things to do in Westerly and Watch Hill, RI, if you want more ideas for your visit 😉
11. Roger Wheeler State Beach, Narragansett
Last on my list is another awesome beach in Narragansett – Roger Wheeler. This one is one of the most popular in Rhode Island, but for good reason. It’s one of the best family-friendly beaches in the state, with gentle, calm water and sandy shoreline. While this beach does have some more rocks here and there, it’s still comfortable to walk on.
Roger Wheeler also has a very large parking lot, and lots of amenities including lifeguards, bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers, food concessions, and shaded areas to stay out of the sun. Since it sits pretty close to Point Judith, you can also usually see the Block Island ferries coming and going from the beach. But don’t worry – it’s located far enough away that you still get expansive ocean views during your visit.
Daily parking fees apply from May through Labor Day, and remember that this is a state beach, meaning you can buy your parking pass in advance online.
Rhode Island Beaches – FAQ
Are All Beaches In Rhode Island Open To The Public?
No, some beaches listed on Google are for residents only, and it gets tricky figuring out which you can visit as a non-resident. However, to make planning your beach vacation in Rhode Island easier, every beach on this list is open to non-residents (daily parking fees will apply in the summer months, which is generally considered Memorial Day through Labor Day).
How Much Do Public Beaches Cost To Visit?
Daily parking fees at Rhode Island beaches vary quite a bit. Generally, the beaches in Narragansett tend to be the least expensive to visit as a non-resident, with prices starting at around $12 for weekdays, and $20 for weekends for state-owned beaches. Some town beaches charge higher prices, particularly in Charlestown, which can be up to $40 for daily non-resident parking on weekends. All beaches on Block Island are free for all – including visitors and non-residents.
What’s The Best Beach For A Full Beach Day
If you’re planning to spend all day at the beach, typically the ones with amenities are the best option, with Roger Wheeler, Misquamicut, Second, East Matunuk, and Scarborough all being great options for a full day. If you’re looking for a full day at a less crowded beach, and don’t mind the lack of facilities, my vote would be East Beach in Charlestown. Lastly, if you’re on Block Island, most folks would go for Crescent Beach for a full beach day.
Are Any Public Beaches In Rhode Island Free To Visit In The Summer?
Yes, all beaches on Block Island are free to visit for everyone year-round. However, I’ve never heard of any beaches on Rhode Island’s mainland being free in the summer.
Does My State Beach Pass Allow Me To Visit Another State Beach On The Same Day?
Unfortunately, no. Even if you buy a daily pass for one state beach, it only grants you access to that specific beach on that day.
Do State Beaches In Rhode Island Stop Charging For Parking Later In The Day?
Yes, state beaches will stop collecting admission fees after 6p, so if you’re just coming for a sunset visit, you can park for free.
Are Rhode Island Beaches Cold?
Yes. Unfortunately, pretty much all beaches in New England have cold water due to the northeast location. While beaches in Rhode Island tend to be a few degrees warmer than beaches further north in Maine, they’re still considered colder than beaches in the southern part of the country. The water tends to be the warmest in July and August, which are the hottest months of the year.
Are Beaches In Rhode Island Crowded?
This entirely depends on what beaches you go to. I’ve always found that beaches on Block Island tend to be the least crowded, simply because it’s a small island, with limited hotels and vacation rentals, so you don’t see the crowds there that you do in places like Cape Cod, for example.
That said, beaches in Narragansett and Newport, in my opinion, tend to get very crowded in the summer season, especially on weekends. I see fewer crowds in Charlestown, too.
More of my beach posts you may enjoy:
- Best New England Beach Towns
- A Guide To The 6 Cape Cod National Seashore Beaches
- Best Beaches On Martha’s Vineyard
That’s A Wrap On The Best Public Beaches In Rhode Island
And there you have it – all of the most beautiful beaches in Rhode Island that I think are very worth your time (and money). Whether you’re looking to get a bit off the beaten path and head over to Block Island for the weekend, or you love the amenities at popular beaches like Misquamicut and Scarborough State Beach, I know you’ll quickly fall in love with the Ocean State on your trip. Happy planning 😊
