Atlantic Beach
Purgatory Road Middletown, RI 02842 Phone: 401-847-2750
Free admission. Restrooms.
Newport features spectacular beaches and ocean views
Newport beaches are plentiful, with some like Easton's Beach (First Beach) within walking distance of Newport's downtown. Breton Point State Park and its beach are known for great kite flying. The beaches along Ocean Drive attract surfers and windsurfers year-round. Fort Adam has a bathing beach in a historic setting, because of the fort and because of the Newport Jazz Festival and Newport Folk Festival, held here. The Newport region includes Middletown and Jamestown Island, where Beavertail State Park offer a lighthouse and rocky shoreline -- great for exploring tidal life.
Beavertail State Park
Jamestown, RI 02835 Phone: 401-423-9941 seasonal
Offers some of New England’s most beautiful rocky coastline vistas from four overlooks accessible by vehicle or on foot. Extensive hiking trails. Excellent saltwater fishing. Beavertail State Park is a premiere site for marine education. Educational programs include Tidal Excursion, an introduction to the tidal life and ecology and Aquarium Activities, an aquarium scavenger hunt or special programs relating to crabs, fish, whales or intertidal zones. Free admission, picnic area, restroom, telephone, smoking prohibited. Portable restrooms, parking, telephone, picnic areas, seasonal naturalist programs. Open year-round sunrise to sunset.
Brenton Point State Park
Ocean Drive Newport, RI 02840
Phone: Fort Adams State Park, 401-847-2400; Brenton Point (seasonal), 401-849-4562
Formerly one of Newport grand estates, the park offers spectacular views from the point of land where Narragansett Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. Picnicking, hiking, fishing, accompanied by majestic views of the Atlantic. Open year-round sunrise to sunset. Restrooms (open May 1 – October 31), public phone, concessions, parking, nearby fishing nearby, hiking, picnic area, scenic overlooks, public gardens.
Easton's Beach/First Beach
175 Memorial Boulevard Newport, RI 02840 Phone: 401-845-5810
Ocean beach adjacent to the start of Cliff Walk. Children's playground, picnic pavilion, snack bar, beach store with souvenirs, bathhouse, restrooms, showers, outdoor skateboard park, weekly free summer concerts, seasonal carousel, and "Exploration Center" operated by Save the Bay. Cabañas, beach chairs, surf boards, boogie boards, and umbrellas for rent. Over-sand wheelchairs available at no charge. Family Night with live band every Tuesday and Children’s Night with entertainment every Thursday in July and August. Enclosed rotunda may be rented for events. Admission fee.
Fogland Beach/Tiverton Town Beach
Tiverton, RI 02878 Phone: 401-625-6780
Swimming, picnic facilities, fishing, children's playground, restrooms, showers, changing room.
Fort Adams State Park
Ocean Drive Newport, RI Phone: 401-847-2400
Site of a 19th century Fort, the park also includes a bathing beach, picnic and fishing areas, a boat launch and two soccer and one rugby fields. Tours are available of the historic site, which was an active military fort from 1799 to 1945. Fort Adams sits on over 21 acres and held up to 2,400 troops. The original defenses still present include height walls, powder magazines, 3 tiers of guns and cannons, and listening tunnels.
Gooseberry Beach
Ocean Drive Newport, RI 02840 Phone: 401-847-3958
Admission fee.
Goosewing Beach
Little Compton, RI 02837 Phone: 401-635-4400
No direct access. Park at adjacent South Shore Beach (fee to park) and walk to Goosewing. Restroom at South Shore Beach.
Grinnell's Beach
Tiverton, RI 02878 Phone: 401-625-6780
Small beach on the Sakonnet River. Good for children. Easy walk to the beach. Restrooms.
Heads Beach
Jamestown, RI 02835 Phone: 401-423-7260
Public access to shoreline. Admission is free.
Island Park Beach
Park Avenue in Island Park Portsmouth, RI Phone: 401-683-2101
Teddy's Beach is located on Park Avenue in Island Park at Stone Bridge. This beach is operated by the state of Rhode Island. It is not staffed by lifeguards and no restroom facilities are available. The water is not tested or monitored by the town of Portsmouth. Visitors must carry out their own trash.
Kings Park Beach
Wellington Avenue Newport, RI 02840 Phone: 401-846-1398
City-operated beach on Newport Harbor. King Park overlooks Newport Harbor, the Pell (Newport) Bridge, and Goat Island. This scenic location offers a beach, boat ramp, fishing pier, restrooms, picnic tables, playground, pavilion, Harbor Walk, Rochambeau Statue, and the King Park Gazebo. Wheelchair accessible. Operated by the Newport Parks and Recreation Department.
Mackerel Cove/ Jamestown Town Beach
Beavertail Road Jamestown, RI 02835 Phone: 401-423-7260
Public beach with lifeguards. Free admission, restrooms.
Sachuest Town Beach (Second Beach)
474 Sachuest Beach Road Middletown, RI 02842
Nature beach one-and-a-quarter miles long with sand dunes. Excellent swimming conditions and majestic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The beach season is from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Activities include beach combing, body surfing, volleyball and sandcastle building. Facilities include modern bath house with rest rooms, showers and changing facilities, concession stands, picnic tables. Lifeguards on duty during the summer. Seasonal parking stickers are required or a fee is collected daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. No pets allowed.
Sandy Point Beach
Sandy Point Avenue Portsmouth, RI 02871 Phone: 401-683-2101
This shallow, sandy beach is located on the Sakonnet River at the end of Sandy Point Avenue and is great for families. The beach is free to town residents with a sticker provided upon proof of residency by the Town Clerk’s office (401-683-2101). Sandy Point Beach is equipped with changing rooms, restroom facilities, and picnic tables. Lifeguards are on duty Memorial Day through Labor Day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekend and on weekdays only from mid-June to mid-August.Cost of admission for nonresidents is $7 during the week and $12 on weekends, or $50 for the season. The Town Clerk's office offers nonresident season stickers and accepts cash only.
South Shore Beach
South Shore Road Little Compton, RI 02837 Phone: 401-635-9974
Lifeguards on duty. Admission fee. Restrooms.
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
Teddy’s Beach
Portsmouth, RI 02871 Phone: 401-253-7482
No lifeguards, services or facilities, informal boat ramps.
Third Beach
Middletown, RI 02842 Phone: 401-846-2119
Third Beach includes Third Beach Boat Ramp, East Middletown Town Beach, Peabody and Third Beach Club. The last two are semi-private beaches.