Rhode Island - Beaches in South County

Dunes Park Beach
Shore Road
Westerly, RI  02891

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Small beach is geared to families. Good sand, clear water.

East Beach and Ninigret State Beach
Off East Beach Road
Charlestown, RI  02813
Phone: 401-322-0450 seasonal  401-322-8910 year round

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Three-mile-long oceanfront beach, saltwater swimming, boating, shell fishing. Open April 15 through October 31, 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Lifeguard on duty 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Parking fee. Driving on barrier beaches requires a barrier beach permit. Facilities include portable restrooms, campsites. Parking fee.

East Matunuck State Beach
950 Succotash Road
South Kingstown, RI  02881
Phone: 401-789-8585 seasonal  401-789-8374, year-round

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Public saltwater beach, picnic area, restroom, pavilion, food concessions, wheelchair access. Open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day (weather permitting), 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Parking fee.

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

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Seven miles of sandy, white beach, clean, clear, water with moderate surf little undertow. Parking for 3,000 cars. Picnic area, restroom, telephone, complete wheelchair access, warning signals for blind people, fire alarm signals for deaf people. Open only weekends, May through Memorial Day (weather permitting); open daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Parking fee.

Napatree Point
Westerly, RI  02891

Half-mile beach separates Watch Hill’s Little Narragansett bay from the ocean. Saltwater swimming. Favorite spot for hikers and bird watchers. Provides year-round habitat for a variety of species. Free admission.

Narragansett Town Beach
Narragansett, RI
Phone: 401-789-1044

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Half-mile public beach with saltwater swimming, two pavilions, lifeguards, food concessions, restrooms, picnic area, first aid and handicap access. Rental cabanas, picnic areas, changing rooms, boardwalk for beach access. Recreational programming. Surfing lessons and leagues, aerobics classes, junior lifeguard program, musical concerts, sand castle contests, volleyball leagues. Admission fee.

New Westerly Town Beach
Atlantic Avenue
Westerly, RI  02891

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Three-acre town-owned beach near Misquamicut State Beach has 300 feet of beach frontage and is open to the general public. Popular with surfers. Changing rooms, parking. Concessions.

Ninigret Park
Charlestown, RI  02813
Phone: 401-364-1222

This 227-acre park features a freshwater swimming pond with public beach, lifeguards on duty (seasonal), playground, ball fields, picnic areas, restrooms. Frosty Drew Nature Center and Observatory are privately operated; information can be obtained by calling 401-364-9508. Seasonal special events are held. Free admission, wheelchair accessible.

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

Shaded beach with access to lawn. Saltwater swimming. Grill, picnic area, restroom, telephone, food, wheelchair accessible.

Quonochontaug Beach
Charlestown, RI  02813

Saltwater 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. The public may park here during specified times, primarily off-season, and to walk to the beach and pond on marked sand trails.

Roger Wheeler State Beach
100 Sand Hill Cove Road
Narragansett, RI
Phone: 401-789-3563  401-789-8374
Toll-Free: 401-789-8374

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Also known as Sand Hill Cove Beach. Popular beach for young children, fully protected by breakwater. Saltwater swimming, lifeguard 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., picnic area, restroom, food concession, wheelchair accessible, no pets. Open weekends May 1 through Memorial Day; open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Roy Carpenter's Beach
240 Card's Pond Road
South Kingstown, RI  02879
Phone: 401-783-7418

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Sandy beach, clean surf. Good for families. Food concession, showers, restrooms.

Salty Brine State Beach
254 Great Island Road
Narragansett, RI
Phone: 401-789-3563, seasonal  401-789-8374, year round

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Sandy, clean, beach. Gentle surf sheltered by a breakwater. Saltwater swimming and fishing. No undertow, gradual drop, near fishing port. Great for young children. Restroom. Parking fee.

Scarborough State Beach
870-970 Ocean Road
Narragansett, RI  02882
Phone: 401-789-2324, seasonal  401-789-8374, year round

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Clean, sandy beach with saltwater swimming. Moderate to heavy surf with occasional strong undertow. Excellent for body surfing or boarding. Two pavilions, picnic area, restrooms, food concessions, showers, boardwalk with gazebos, wheelchair accessible. Lifeguard 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Open weekends May 1 through Memorial Day (weather permitting); open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Parking fee.

South Kingstown Town Beach
South Kingstown, RI  02879
Phone: 401-789-9301

Saltwater beach, boardwalk, play ground, volley ball court and picnic area. Admission fee, restrooms, wheelchair access.

Swimming Holes

Swimming holes can be found in or near rock quarries, streams, gorges, and waterfalls. Most are pristine, uncrowded, and surrounded by beautiful woods and forests. For details, see the web site www.SwimmingHoles.info

Watch Hill Beach
Westerly, RI  02891
Phone: 401-596-1543

Sandy saltwater beach with antique carousel, private bathhouses, picnic area, restrooms. Food concession and wheelchair access.

Atlantic Beach
321 Atlantic Avenue
Westerly, RI  02891
Phone: 401-322-0504

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Family beach, amusements, kiddy rides, full service seafood restaurants, snack bars, carousel, batting cages, bumper boats, go-karts, miniature golf, game room, ocean view cocktail lounge. Free admission, restrooms, telephone, wheelchair accessible.

Beach Pond
Off Route 165
Exeter, RI  02822
Phone: 401-539-1052

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Freshwater swimming. Family-oriented beach. No admission fee. Bathhouse with bathrooms. No alcohol, grills, fires, or pets.

Blue Shutters Town Beach
469 East Beach Road
Charlestown, RI  02813
Phone: 401-364-1206

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Great view with saltwater swimming at three-mile-long public beach near Ninigret Conservation Area and adjacent to Ninigret Pond. Concession stand, picnic tables, restrooms, showers, beach accessible wheel chairs, telephone, food, wheelchair accessible. Admission fee, discount for seniors.

Briar Point Beach
Coventry, RI
Phone: 401-822-9107

Public beach, freshwater swimming.

Burlingame State Park
Sanctuary Road (Route 1)
Charlestown, RI  02813
Phone: 401-364-8910, seasonal  401-322-8910, year round

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The park has 3,100 acres of rocky woodland surrounding Watchaug Pond in Charlestown. Swimming beach and bathhouse, canoeing, kayaking, freshwater fishing, picnic tables, boat ramp, 73 fireplaces, restrooms, drinking water, telephone, wheelchair accessible. Open year round sunrise to sunset; restrooms open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Lifeguards on duty 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Charlestown Breachway State Beach
Charlestown, RI  02813
Phone: 401-364-7000 seasonal  401-322-8910 year-round

Public beach with saltwater swimming, saltwater fishing, shell fishing, fishing pier, panoramic view of Block Island Sound. Restrooms, but no shower facilities. Day parking for 100 cars. Boat ramp and parking area for trailers. Lifeguard on duty. Campsites. No pets allowed. Wheelchair accessible. Parking fee.

Charlestown Town Beach
576 Charlestown Beach Road
Charlestown, RI  02813
Phone: 401-364-7000, seasonal

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Fine sand and moderate to heavy surf, occasional undertow. Saltwater swimming. Adjacent to Charlestown Breachway. Admission charged, parking fee, picnic area, restrooms. Wheelchair access. No pets allowed.