Beaches in New England
Many of these beaches have been preserved and some are rich in unique and rare fauna and flora, enriching New England even further.
New England’s beaches don’t shout, they whisper. They don’t ask for much, just that you slow down, listen to the gulls, feel the wind on your skin, and let the tides shift something inside you. I remember thinking, “This is the kind of stillness I didn’t realize I needed.”
From Rhode Island’s sun-swept coves to windswept Massachusetts shores and hidden stretches of Maine coast, each beach had its own rhythm. Some were wide and wild, others were tucked-away and tender. But all of them shared that signature New England soul, timeless, weathered, and quietly beautiful.
Best Beaches in New England:
Nantucket Beaches - ferry or plane from Cape Cod
I took a 1-hour ferry (30 miles across Nantucket Sound) from Hyannis to Nantucket (year-round population about 14,000, though summer crowds swell much larger).
Nantucket’s beaches changed with the tide, and with it, so did I. On the north shore, the water lapped gently and the skies felt endless. On the south shore, the surf crashed like a heartbeat. I remember thinking, “This island knows how to hold contrast beautifully.” Each stretch of sand offered something different: solitude, energy, memory.
What I Loved Most: Walking the wide beach at Surfside at sunrise, barefoot in the cool morning light, fog still lingering.
My highlights? A post-beach treat at Something Natural, turkey sandwich on Portuguese bread and a giant chocolate chip cookie. We ate on a picnic bench, wrapped in beach towels, still sandy and smiling.
Nantucket Beaches At a Glance
- Location: Nantucket, MA (multiple access points)
- Vibe: Coastal, charming, varied
- Highlights: Surfside (waves), Jetties (family), Sconset (quiet)
- Best Time to Visit: June–September
- Cost: Free access; ferry fees to island
- Hours: Open daily
Kennebunk Beach - 45-minute drive from Portland
My family and I drove 40 minutes south (30 miles) from Portland to Kennebunk (population about 11,000), home to a string of sandy beaches.
Kennebunk Beach had that quintessential Maine charm, shingled homes, smooth rock jetties, and just enough salt in the breeze to feel like a reset. I remember thinking, “This is the kind of place that lives in memory.” Families gathered under umbrellas, surfers waited patiently offshore, and the tide kept its quiet rhythm.
What I Loved Most: Sitting on a low seawall with my coffee, watching dogs chase foam across the shore.
My highlights? Breakfast at H&B Provisions, an egg and cheese sandwich on a biscuit with hot coffee in a paper cup. I ate it on the beach wall, legs dangling, sun warming my shoulders.
Kennebunk Beach At a Glance
- Location: Beach Ave, Kennebunk, ME
- Vibe: Family-friendly, cozy, classic
- Highlights: Walking paths, soft sand, sunrise views
- Best Time to Visit: Summer months
- Cost: Parking permit required in season
- Hours: 9am–6pm (lifeguard hours)
Narragansett Town Beach - 45-minute drive from Providence
I drove 40 minutes south (35 miles) from Providence to Narragansett (population about 15,800), home to one of Rhode Island’s most popular beaches.
Narragansett Town Beach had an energy to it. The waves were constant, the boardwalk buzzed, and the whole beach felt alive with stories in motion. I remember thinking, “This is the heartbeat of Rhode Island’s coast.” I spent the afternoon watching surfers carve through foam and kids dig moats around sandcastles. It was playful, bright, and full of motion.
What I Loved Most: Wading into the surf at golden hour, the light casting everything in a glow that made even seaweed look beautiful.
My highlights? Fish tacos from Twin Willows nearby, with a cold beer and ocean breeze. A little loud, a little salty, just right for the mood of the beach.
Narragansett Town Beach At a Glance
- Location: 39 Boston Neck Rd, Narragansett, RI
- Vibe: Energetic, local, vibrant
- Highlights: Surfing, boardwalk, family spots
- Best Time to Visit: July–August
- Cost: ~$12 admission + parking
- Hours: 8am–6pm (in season)
Cape Pogue, Massachusetts
I drove 25 minutes northeast (12 miles) from Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard to Cape Pogue, a remote stretch of barrier beach on Chappaquiddick Island. Managed as part of the Trustees of Reservations, the refuge spans about 1,500 acres.
Cape Pogue felt like the edge of the Earth, miles of remote beach, windswept grasses, and the feeling that you’d stumbled into something sacred. Reaching it took effort, over-sand trails or boat access, but once I arrived, I remember thinking, “This is what solitude sounds like.” Just the sea, the sand, and the occasional cry of a gull.
What I Loved Most: Climbing the Cape Pogue Lighthouse and feeling like I could see forever, sandbars curling like ribbons into the Atlantic.
My highlights? A beach picnic packed from Black Sheep in Edgartown: lemony orzo salad, local cheddar, and a chilled rosé in a thermos. We spread out a blanket and didn’t speak for a while. We didn’t need to.
Cape Pogue At a Glance
- Location: Chappaquiddick Island, Martha’s Vineyard
- Vibe: Remote, wild, soul-stirring
- Highlights: Lighthouse, over-sand trails, quiet shorelines
- Best Time to Visit: June–September
- Cost: Free (tours extra); 4WD needed
- Hours: Dawn to dusk
Chatham - 2.5-hour drive from Boston
I drove 1 hour 20 minutes east (55 miles) from Hyannis to Chatham (population about 6,100), perched at the “elbow” of Cape Cod. My afternoon included a walk along Lighthouse Beach with its endless sandbar views, a climb up to Chatham Light, and a stroll down Main Street lined with boutiques, ice cream shops, and art galleries.
Chatham’s beaches felt storybook-perfect, windswept and weathered, with sea grass dancing in the breeze and old fishing boats bobbing offshore. I remember thinking, “This is the Cape I’ve always pictured.” It was equal parts romantic and rugged, with a kind of beauty that grew softer the longer I stayed.
What I Loved Most: Walking Lighthouse Beach barefoot at low tide, passing tide pools and sea foam under a sky that never stood still.
My highlights? A lobster roll from Chatham Pier Fish Market, eaten while watching the seals swim near the dock. Salt in the air, butter on my fingers, and not a single thing I’d change.
Chatham Beaches At a Glance
- Location: Chatham, Cape Cod, MA
- Vibe: Classic, photogenic, coastal New England
- Highlights: Lighthouse Beach, seal-watching, long walks
- Best Time to Visit: June–early October
- Cost: Free; parking may require permit
- Hours: Open daily
Goosewing Beach Preserve - 1-hour drive from Providence
I drove 1 hour southeast (40 miles) from Providence into Little Compton (population about 3,400), home to Goosewing Beach Preserve, a 75-acre stretch of dunes, salt marsh, and shoreline protected by The Nature Conservancy. My afternoon included a walk along the sandy beach, spotting piping plovers and least terns, and a swim in the cool Atlantic surf.
Goosewing Beach felt like a secret tucked into the folds of coastal Rhode Island. The long stretch of untouched sand, the surrounding dunes, and the whisper of grass in the wind made it feel wild in the best way. I remember thinking, “This is where the ocean comes to rest.” It was just me, the sky, and the slow rhythm of waves.
What I Loved Most: Watching the sun sink low behind the dunes while piping plovers darted across the sand.
My highlights? A picnic lunch from The Commons Lunch in nearby Little Compton, tuna salad sandwich, Cape Cod chips, and an iced tea. Simple, salty, and exactly right.
Goosewing Beach Preserve At a Glance
- Location: South Shore Beach, Little Compton, RI
- Vibe: Natural, serene, conservation-focused
- Highlights: Dunes, birdwatching, peaceful shoreline
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall
- Cost: Parking fee in season (~$15)
- Hours: Dawn to dusk
Why These Beaches Stayed With Me
Each of these New England beaches gave me something different, solitude, connection, nostalgia, awe. But what they all had in common was a kind of stillness that lingered long after I brushed the sand from my shoes. I remember thinking, “The ocean doesn’t need to be tropical to be beautiful, it just needs to be honest.”
And these shores? They were honest. Windy, worn, beautiful in ways that don’t fade with the seasons. I’ll come back to them, not just in travel, but in memory.
More to explore...
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