The Best Beaches in the Northeast

We’ll just say it: In the Northeast, we’re pretty spoiled when it comes to beautiful beaches. From forest-enveloped lakes to unassuming coves with turquoise water you thought only existed in the tropics, we run the full gamut. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to have the so-called Ocean State as part of the mix. (Thanks, Rhode Island!)

Because there are so many beautiful beaches to visit in our area, it’s a hard list to narrow down — but we tried our best. 

Here are our top picks for the best beaches in the Northeast.

Connecticut

Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison

Fancy a long stretch of beach with gentle surf, scenic spots and plenty of activities for the kids? You’ll find it at Hammonasset Beach State Park, where the 2-mile-long shore borders not only the Atlantic, but a nearby nature preserve as well. The waves are gentle and calm, thanks to its location on the Long Island Sound, making it one of the best beaches in New England for families. More than 500 campsites dot the park’s 1,000 acres. You can even visit the Meigs Point Nature Center while you’re there! 

Ocean Beach Park, New London

Need a little more entertainment with your beach? Ocean Beach Park offers a range of attractions including a boardwalk, amusement park and waterslides. Visitors can choose to wade through the calm, shallow waters, have a picnic or take their turn at a range of recreational activities such as volleyball, mini golf and more.

Calf Pasture Beach, Norwalk

Calf Pasture Beach’s stretch of sandy shoreline offers an unmatched view of Long Island Sound, swimming, picnicking, fishing, a playground and other family-friendly amenities. Popular for its walking paths and calm waters, it’s an ideal spot for families and anyone looking for the perfect dose of relaxation.

Rocky Neck State Park, East Lyme

Rocky Neck State Park has 710 acres of beach, forests, boulders and salt marshes. The diverse terrain makes for an incredible place to enjoy nature, wherever your interests lie. Enjoy the stone-free beach, explore a trail with your bike or walking shoes, search for crabs or try your hand at climbing — it’s all waiting for you at Rocky Neck.

Massachusetts

Race Point Beach, Provincetown

The views of the endless seas from Race Point Beach are breathtaking, and oftentimes you can see whales and a seal or two off in the distance. There are no concessions, so bring a picnic lunch and drinks. You can also explore the grounds of the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, a circa 1897 building moved by barge from Chatham to Provincetown in 1977. If you want a little exercise, you can hop on the Province Lands Bike Trail, which connects to nearby Herring Cove Beach and the Province Lands Visitor Center.

Singing Beach, Manchester-by-the-Sea

Do you hear that? As its name suggests, Singing Beach is famous for its unique sand that “sings” when walked on. Besides its musical qualities, the small, picturesque beach offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and is perfect for families with its typically calm waters and easy accessibility.

Wingaersheek Beach, Gloucester

Mother Nature outdid herself at Wingaersheek Beach, with its stunning panoramic views perfectly framed by natural rock formations. Take a stroll on the soft white sand, have a quick dip in the shallow waters and strike up a beach game — Wingaersheek is the ideal spot for anyone’s beach tastes.

Coast Guard Beach, Eastham

Coast Guard Beach, part of the Cape Code National Seashore, is one of the most pristine beaches on the Cape. Featuring dramatic sand dunes, sweeping views and the occasional seal appearance, Coast Guard Beach is also a popular stop for bicyclists as the Nauset Marsh Trail runs straight to it.

New Jersey

Atlantic City Beach, Atlantic City

Perhaps the most famous of New Jersey beaches, Atlantic City boasts plenty of shoreline, tons of attractions and a bustling boardwalk. Kayaking, fishing, surfing and wind surfing are available on many areas of the beach, which will satisfy water sports enthusiasts. Couples or friends can enjoy the high-energy nightlife around the boardwalk and explore the casinos and bars. And families can stop by nearby Steel Pier for kid-friendly coasters and other rides.

Ocean Grove Beaches, Ocean Grove

Ocean Grove offers quiet shores and an active town life without the crowds and clamor of some other New Jersey beaches. If you’re looking to spend the day
reenergizing on the beach and bathing in the sun, this is a good, stress-free choice that’s great for couples and families. If you want to be a bit more active, volleyball and tennis courts are located on the beach. After you’ve dried off, take a stroll downtown for some relaxing shopping and dining.

Belmar Beach, Belmar

Belmar is a quaint beach town with a clean, well-maintained coastline. What more could you ask for? Although the shoreline is only a little longer than a mile, there are plenty of activities available. Designated areas allow surfing, boogie boarding, kayaking, fishing and volleyball. Jet-skiing and boating are also popular. While you’re in town, check out Main Street for chic art galleries and coffee houses.

Island Beach State Park, Ocean County

Island Beach may be one of the most beautiful New Jersey beaches, but it’s also a living habitat that supports many critically endangered species. The barrier island is a protected area with thriving forests and marshes home to ospreys, foxes and other animals. Though the beach tends to draw a lot of visitors on weekends and holidays, the Spizzle Creek Bird Blind Trail and other hiking areas offer a welcome respite from the crowd. On the beach itself, surfing is a favorite pastime. In other parts of the park, there’s scuba diving, bicycling, fishing and even horseback riding.

New York

Brighton Beach, Brooklyn

Sometimes referred to as “Little Odessa,” because of its Eastern European population, Brighton Beach is a small neighborhood on Coney Island, just east of most of the island’s main attractions.

Easily accessible from midtown Manhattan from the B and Q subway lines, stop by to walk on the boardwalk, grab a bite at the concession stand or take advantage of the calm water. While you’re there, step out into the community for a taste of authentic Russian food and culture.

Sunken Meadow State Park, Kings Park

Sunken Meadow State Park offers miles of beautiful beachfront along Long Island Sound. The calm waters make it ideal for less experienced swimmers as well as kayakers, windsurfers and stand-up paddleboarders. Visitors who wish to burn some calories can play a game of soccer or baseball on the activity fields. Other amenities include food stands, picnic areas, playgrounds and a launch site for kayaks and canoes.

Main Beach, East Hampton

East Hampton’s Main Beach is one of the most popular and highly acclaimed beaches in the Hamptons. Often commended for its cleanliness, facilities and high level of lifeguarding, when it comes to Long Island beaches, this one checks off all the boxes. Parking passes can be hard to get as the daily passes are limited. However, the beach is about a 20-minute walk from East Hampton’s Main Street, where ample parking is available.

Smith Point County Park, Fire Island

This scenic 1,000-acre park located on the southern shore of Fire Island offers gorgeous views, swimming, fishing, hiking and camping. Its wide, sandy shores attract sunbathers and surfers alike, while the surrounding wetlands are home to diverse wildlife. The park also features a popular campground, providing visitors with a chance to enjoy the natural beauty of Fire Island overnight.

Rhode Island

Narragansett Town Beach, Narragansett

If you’re looking for waves, whether it’s for surfing or boogie boarding, you can’t beat Narragansett Town Beach. Yes, you must park on the street or the designated visitor’s lot (the other lots are for residents/pass holders only) and pay admission, but what you get in return is a milelong beach that’s spotless and sandy, with the added benefit of watching surfers plying the waves. Plus, you’re right in the heart of a thriving beach town. Just across the street you’ll find tons of eateries — everything from classic seafood to crepes — as well as shopping and ice cream spots.

Goosewing Beach Preserve, Little Compton

It takes a little walking to get here, but you’ll be rewarded with fewer crowds than other Rhode Island beaches — even in the peak of summer — and nature galore. The parcel is owned by The Nature Conservancy, with the town managing the beach in the summer months. If you want to commune with nature and avoid the typical beach scene, this is the place for you. It’s decidedly rustic, with portable toilets and a few private food vendors. Park at South Shore Beach and walk to the end to get to Goosewing.

Second Beach, Middletown

Its official name is Sachuest Beach, but Rhode Islanders know this strip of shore as Second Beach. (Easton’s Beach in Newport is known as First Beach, and a beach near Third Beach Harbor is — you guessed it — Third Beach.) The amenities are plentiful: a concession stand, restrooms, showers, picnic tables and grills dot the sandy expanse. The beach is perched between two natural wonders: Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge at one end, filled with walking trails that snowy owls love to visit every few winters; and at the other end, Purgatory Chasm, a natural ravine sluiced away by seawater. It’s a rocky scramble to get there, though, so bring sneakers or hiking boots.

Spring Lake Beach, Burrillville

What Spring Lake lacks in saltwater spray and seashells it makes up for in family-friendliness, small-town charm and picturesque views. Little touches like slides set up in the water and a floating dock just perfect for jumping into the lake will appeal to young and old alike. A little swim store likely carries anything you may have forgotten, and the facility also has restrooms, outdoor showers, shady picnic tables and kayak rentals.