Best Beaches in New England
New England’s beaches combine coastal beauty with classic charm, offering everything from wide sandy stretches to rocky coves steeped in history. Having explored the region and after living here for four years, I’ve found that New England’s shoreline is perfect for summer escapes, peaceful walks, and unforgettable ocean views.
I’ve enjoyed family-friendly beaches with gentle waves, quiet spots framed by dunes and lighthouses, and seaside towns filled with character and fresh seafood. From romantic getaways to outdoor adventures and relaxing retreats, New England’s beaches offer something for everyone. Here are the ones I recommend, and I think you’ll enjoy them too.
1. Nantucket Beaches
I wanted to start with Nantucket because although it's harder to reach and pricey during the summer, it's pure coastal New England charm! I love the windswept dunes here, long stretches of soft sand, Insta-worthy cottages, and salty Atlantic breezes.
After a 30-mile ferry ride south of Cape Cod, I spent a few dreamy days soaking up the seaside rhythm. My base was the elegant, 4-star White Elephant Hotel overlooking the harbor, stylish yet relaxed, with perfect sunset views.
The pace was wonderfully unhurried. I biked along sandy paths to Surfside Beach, visited Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge and the iconic Great Point Lighthouse, admired the rugged beauty of Siasconset’s bluff walk, and explored the cobblestone streets of Nantucket Town. If you get a chance to visit for just one short weekend, don't miss this island gem!
- Location: Map & Directions
2. Kennebunk Beach
When I visited Kennebunk Beach last month, I found it to be a classic Maine seaside escape with broad sandy stretches framed by rocky outcrops, charming clapboard cottages, and the bracing scent of the Atlantic carried on a cool ocean breeze.
Just a quick 5-minute hop from Kennebunkport’s village center, I settled in for two days at the boutique Nonantum Resort, where Adirondack chairs lined the lawn overlooking the river, and evenings ended with crackling fire pits under the stars.
I think Kennebunk Beach is one of the best beaches in New England. Why? The rhythm here was unhurried. I strolled along Gooch’s Beach with its wide, golden sands perfect for sunrise walks, explored Mother’s Beach, beloved for its tidepools and gentle surf, and lingered at Middle Beach, a quieter stretch edged by wave-smoothed rocks. In town, I wandered galleries and nautical shops, treated myself to a scoop from Rococo Ice Cream, and admired the fishing boats bobbing in the harbor.
- Location: Map & Directions
3. Narragansett Town Beach
I thought Narragansett Town Beach captured the quintessential Rhode Island summer vibe with wide stretches of soft sand, steady Atlantic surf perfect for bodyboarding, and a lively boardwalk scene framed by the town’s iconic stone Towers.
- Location: Map & Directions
4. Chatham
When I visied this month, I thought Chatham was Cape Cod at its most enchanting with a mix of broad, windswept beaches, shingle-style cottages framed by hydrangeas, and a walkable village center that felt equal parts charming and nautical. There’s a timeless quality here, where harbor views, lighthouse strolls, and fresh Atlantic air set the pace.
The days unfolded in classic Cape Cod fashion. I visited Lighthouse Beach, the town’s most iconic stretch of sand, keeping an eye out for seals bobbing offshore, and browsed boutiques and galleries on Main Street.
- Location: Map & Directions
5. Goosewing Beach Preserve
Tucked away in Little Compton, Rhode Island, Goosewing takes a little effort to reach. A sandy path and wooden bridge lead you into this 75-acre coastal preserve managed by The Nature Conservancy. Once there, you'll reach a place of pure tranquility with long, uncrowded beaches with soft golden sand, tidal ponds alive with herons and egrets, and the rhythmic crash of waves that seemed to wash away all sense of time.
- Location: Map & Directions
6. Chappaquiddick Island Beach
I thought Chappaquiddick Island felt like Cape Cod’s secret, wilder side with its remote beaches, quiet dirt roads, and windswept landscapes where the Atlantic and Nantucket Sound meet in a stunning, untamed way. It had an off-the-grid serenity that instantly set it apart from the bustle of Martha’s Vineyard.
Just a super short ferry ride across Edgartown Harbor, “Chappy” is its own world. I biked on sandy lanes shaded by scrub pines, hiked through rolling dunes, and reached vast, unspoiled beaches. The most striking stretch was East Beach, part of the Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge.
Local tip: Driving your car onto the tiny three-car Chappy ferry can be a little bit terrifying if you are the first car in line. I honestly thought that we were going to drive straight into the ocean... but don't worry, there's always someone to help and they tell you exactly when to stop. If you want to play it safe though, just take the bike over on the ferry (it's cheaper too). Also, don't forget water and snacks!
- Location: Map & Directions
7. Hampton Beach, NH
Hampton Beach is pure New England seaside fun and one of the best beaches you can visit in New England. it has lively boardwalk and a wide sandy beach. Just an hour’s drive north of Boston, I like to get an early start on my day trip from Boston. I always look forward to hearing the sound of gulls and the smell of salt air drifting through my car windows.
- Location: Map & Directions
8. Long Sands Beach, York, Maine
Long Sands Beach perfectly embodied the charm of a Maine seaside getaway. You'll discover a sweeping mile-and-a-half stretch of soft sand dotted with colorful umbrellas in summer. Somehow it manages to be both lively and laid-back, a place where families, surfers, and everyone else happily shares the space.
I like the local shops and seafood spots along York Beach village where you can always find a new flavor. I also admired the views of Nubble Lighthouse perched on its rocky island just up the road at Cape Neddick.
- Location: Map & Directions
9. Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is elegant. Everyone I talk to thinks to. There is a harbor lined with sailboats, dramatic oceanfront cliffs, golden beaches, and a collection of opulent mansions from the Gilded Age.
Just a 40-minute drive south of Providence, I stayed at the historic Castle Hill Inn. Sunsets over Narragansett Bay were incredible! Every morning began with sea breezes and the distant sound of gulls.
The rhythm here balanced relaxation with discovery. I strolled along Easton’s Beach (First Beach), explored the legendary Cliff Walk, and toured the lavish halls of The Breakers, once the Vanderbilt summer “cottage.” In town, I browsed Bowen’s Wharf, full of boutiques and seafood restaurants, before standing still and waiting for the sun to set.
- Location: Map & Directions
10. Ogunquit, Maine
Just a 70-minute drive north of Boston, Ogunquit is great as a day trip and even better as a beach weekend getaway in the summer. Its name means “beautiful place by the sea” in the Abenaki language, and it truly lives up to that promise.
When we visited in August, I thought that the town was wonderfully unhurried. I strolled along the three-and-a-half-mile Ogunquit Beach, followed the scenic Marginal Way where my son and I counted 35 benches (I later read that there are actually 39). You can also check out Perkins Cove, a working harbor filled with fishing boats, boutiques, and lobster shacks.
- Location: Map & Directions
11. Old Orchard Beach
The rhythm here was vibrant and playful — I strolled along the Old Orchard Beach Pier, lined with shops, seafood stalls, and live music venues; rode the Ferris wheel at Palace Playland, New England’s only beachfront amusement park; and walked for miles along the smooth, sandy beach, watching kites dance in the sky and surfers catch gentle waves. Evenings sparkled with neon lights, arcades buzzing with laughter, and fireworks over the water.
- Location: Map & Directions
12. Cahoon Hollow Beach
Cahoon Hollow Beach was one of Cape Cod’s most dramatic stretches of shoreline — steep, golden bluffs dropping down to a broad sweep of sand, the Atlantic crashing endlessly beyond, and a youthful, lively vibe fueled by beachgoers and the legendary Beachcomber bar perched right above the dunes. It had that wild, windswept beauty that instantly takes your breath away.
Set in Wellfleet on Outer Cape Cod, reaching the beach meant descending a long, sandy path from the bluff top, where the views alone were worth the trip. Once down on the sand, I was surrounded by soaring cliffs, rolling surf, and the refreshing smell of sea spray in the air.
- Location: Map & Directions
13. Plum Island Beach
Just 10 minutes from the historic seaport town of Newburyport, I thought Plum Island Beach was pure coastal tranquility, a long, unspoiled barrier island where wide sandy stretches meet windswept dunes, salt marshes shimmer in the sun, and seabirds wheel overhead. It had that serene, “back to nature” New England beauty that felt restorative from the moment I arrived.
I walked barefoot along the endless sands of Plum Island Beach, watching the tide carve patterns in the sand, explored the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, and climbed the observation tower for sweeping views of marsh and ocean. Back in Newburyport, cobblestone streets, waterfront restaurants, and boutique shops added a dose of coastal charm to the day.
- Location: Map & Directions
14. Provincetown, Massachusetts
The rhythm in Provincetown, Massachusetts was delightfully diverse when I spent 5 days there this month. I biked through the sandy trails of the Cape Cod National Seashore, wandered along the golden sands of Race Point Beach where seals bobbed offshore, and strolled colorful Commercial Street, lined with art studios, shops, and cabaret venues. I watched the sun sink into Cape Cod Bay from Herring Cove Beach, then capped the night with fresh seafood at The Lobster Pot (they don't take reservations but the wait was worth it!).
- Location: Map & Directions
15. Roger Wheeler State Beach
Set in Narragansett, Roger Wheeler State Beach is just a short drive from Point Judith and the town’s iconic stone towers. I arrived on a sunny afternoon, the ocean sparkling under a blue sky, and immediately noticed the calm surf — protected by a breakwater, the waves here stay small, making it a favorite for families with young kids.
- Location: Map & Directions
16. Short Sands Beach, York
Just over an hour north of Boston, the pace at Short Sands Beach was upbeat yet relaxed — I strolled the sandy shoreline at low tide, browsed the boutiques and penny arcades lining the beachfront, and stopped for a cone at the iconic Goldenrod, famous for its handmade saltwater taffy since 1896.
A short drive took me to Cape Neddick’s Nubble Lighthouse, perched on its rocky island and glowing at sunset. Evenings at Short Sands often ended with live music at the gazebo or fireworks lighting up the summer sky.
- Location: Map & Directions
17. Watch Hill
Set in Westerly, at Rhode Island’s southwestern tip, Watch Hill felt like stepping into a seaside postcard. I only spent a day here last May, so I'm no expert. But I wanderd on the beach, where families and sunbathers enjoyed the calm Atlantic surf, then strolled through the village’s tidy streets lined with clapboard shops and classic New England architecture. The centerpiece is the grand Ocean House hotel, a restored Victorian resort that overlooks the dunes and ocean with unmatched style.
- Location: Map & Directions
Conclusion
I love road tripping to visit New England beaches throughout the year. I often save the more crowded famous beaches to visit during the off season. Prices are lower too once kids go back to school.
I love discovering new quiet stretches, talking to locals about their lives there, and checking with other travelers what they enjoyed most. Here you have it. These were my absolute favorite must-visit beaches in New England.
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