The places, most named first
From the 9 guides that rank for "best beaches in new england"
Named by 5 of 91. Ogunquit BeachThree miles of sand on a spit; the river side has warmer, calmer water than the open Atlantic.The Marginal Way, a coastal path, connects the beach to the village and Perkins Cove.
Named by 3 of 92. Crane BeachFour miles of white sand in Ipswich, and an important nesting site for threatened piping plovers.Boardwalks protect the dune habitat; in season there are lifeguards, bathhouses and picnic tables.
Named by 3 of 93. Second Beach (Middletown, near Newport)Rhode Island water reaches about 21C in August, warmer than any Maine beach.Known for surf, with surfers to the west and families with boogie boards in the middle.
Named by 3 of 94. Sand Beach, Acadia National ParkA small crescent of crushed-shell sand between pink granite headlands, with the Beehive rising behind.The water stays cold, topping out around 55 degrees, so most people wade rather than swim.
Named by 3 of 95. Cape Cod National SeashoreAbout 40 miles of protected sandy beach.Longnook Beach in Truro has tall dunes and surfers; families arrive around 11 a.m.
Named by 3 of 96. Old Orchard BeachSeven miles of sandy waterfront with an amusement park, miniature golf and a boardwalk.A classic beach town with a lively boardwalk, restaurants and shops close by.
Named by 2 of 97. Coast Guard Beach, Cape CodPart of the Cape Cod National Seashore, with golden sand backed by dunes and no development in sight.There is no beach parking in high season, so visitors take a shuttle bus.
Named by 2 of 98. Narragansett BeachA wide sand beach with waves, popular for swimming and surfing, with restrooms, showers and a boardwalk.Called the best swimming beach in New England, with several lifeguard stations and a first-aid office.
Named by 2 of 99. Jenness BeachA calm, uncrowded beach in Rye with surfing, swimming and picnicking.Easy walk-on access to beach essentials.
Named by 2 of 910. Wingaersheek BeachA long sandbar shows at low tide, with tide pools to explore; shallow water runs warmer than expected.Parking fills early, so arrive early.
Named by 2 of 911. Block IslandReached by ferry from Point Judith; Mohegan Bluffs has 200 feet of stairs down to a quiet stretch of coast.About 17 miles of beaches; many visitors get around by moped or bicycle and leave the car on the mainland.
Named by 2 of 912. Plum Island BeachDescribed as one of New England's best beaches, near Newburyport.Newburyport has a downtown, boat trips and whale watching close by.
Named by 2 of 913. Salisbury BeachAlmost 4 miles of ocean beach on the Atlantic, with a large on-site campground.Good for ocean swimming, boating and fishing.
Named by 2 of 914. Odiorne PointA quieter sandy stretch near Portsmouth, with a science center and picnic spots.The writer says few people know about the beach near Frost Point breakwater.
15. Goose Rocks BeachSoft white sand and gentle breezes in Kennebunkport; no lifeguard, but less crowded.
16. Hammonasset BeachConnecticut's largest public beach in Madison, with camping, nature trails and calm, warm water.
17. Misquamicut BeachA family beach in Westerly with gentle waves, a playground and restaurants nearby.
18. Hampton BeachA boardwalk beach with seafood and casinos, closer to Boston and Logan airport than most.
19. Madaket and Surfside, NantucketSurfside is the big south-shore surf beach; Madaket on the western tip has the best sunset.
20. Sand Bar State ParkA freshwater beach on Lake Champlain where the water is rarely deeper than about two feet.
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When to go
Travel guides most often name September to October as the best time to visit New England.
Questions people ask
- What is the most beautiful beach in New England?
- One guide calls Coast Guard Beach on Cape Cod the best pure beach in New England, with wide golden sand and dunes.
- What are some of the best beach towns in New England?
- Ogunquit, Maine, is recommended by several sources for its three miles of sand and the Marginal Way path.
- When is the best time for New England beaches?
- July, August and September are the only viable beach months; one guide says early September has the warmest water.
