Best Beaches in New England
Searching for the best beaches in New England to visit on your next day trip or vacation? Well, you are in the right place! When most people think of New England, they picture iconic lighthouses and long sandy beaches but the area is also home to surprising diverse fauna and flora. These sandy shores may not be famous (though some are well know for sure), but they offer plenty of opportunities for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and relaxing.
While living on the East Coast, I’ve found that New England’s shoreline is perfect for all-season escapes, peaceful walks, and unforgettable ocean views year-round. This is exactly why I decided to share my favourite beaches in New England so that you can use my guide as an inspiration to plan your own road trip.
I’ve enjoyed a heap of family-friendly beaches with gentle waves, quiet spots along dunes and lighthouses, and seaside towns filled with character and fresh seafood. Here are the beaches we visited on our recent four week road trip that I hope you’ll enjoy them too.
Nantucket Beaches, MA
This island may be small but even so it's home to some of our favorite beaches in New England! The kind of place where you look out across the windswept dunes and you forget about your day-to-day routines.
Sure the trip is a little long, but once you are there, it's like reaching its own universe. We took about a 2 hour 20 minute ferry ride south of Cape Cod ($99 round-trip) and spent two dreamy days at the 4-star White Elephant Hotel.
I think Nantucket beaches are one of the best Massachusetts beaches. Why? You can easily bike from town to nearby beaches which I think is relaxing on vacation. In addition, the whole place is super interesting because you get to choose from several totally distinct settings. Surfside Beach being my favorite for spending the whole day on the edge of the ocean.
For an underrated gem, head to Madaket Beach on the island’s western shores.
Great Point Beach near the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge is the most wild.
I think Siasconset Beach on the eastern side of the island offers the top romantic and historic experience near rose-covered cottages and I'd visit again on our anniversary vacation.
Be sure to make time for a family photo at the iconic Great Point Lighthouse you see in all the photos, and explore the cobblestone streets of Nantucket Town!
What I loved best:
The rugged beauty of Siasconset’s bluff walk was my personal highlight!
A downside? Nantucket is harder to reach and gets even more pricey during the summer. People forget that prices of food are higher on the island so be sure to calculate that in your vacation budget.
Kennebunk Beach, Maine
Chris and I both absolutely love Kennebunk Beach in Maine, and have been many times. If you are based in Kennebunkport (we checked into Nonantum Resort for a week), I recommend Kennebunk Beach, just a quick 5-minute hop from Kennebunkport’s village center. When I first discovered Kennebunk Beach in Kennebunkport, I couldn't believe such an awesome little gem existed right next to one of the most lovely New England towns with galleries and nautical shops.
You can go fishing, relax on broad sandy stretches, and even rent a New England clapboard cottage.
Three other beaches stood out if you want variety. Gooch’s Beach with its wide sandy shore is fun for a romantic stroll, particularly at sunrise. Mother’s Beach has tidepools and gentle surf which was a hit with our son. Middle Beach is a hidden gem because it's the quietest.
What I loved best:
Treating myself to a scoop from Rococo Ice Cream in August was my favorite highlight!
Narragansett Town Beach, RI
When we started our road trip near Narragansett Town Beach in southern Rhode Island, I was completely charmed by how this underrated gem transformed the area into a surfers paradise.
We drove 40 minutes from Providence to Narragansett Town Beach, RI (population of around 14,500), attracting visitors since mid-1800s.
You can relax on wide stretches of soft sand, swim in clean water, bodyboard and surf.
We also enjoyed the slow natural surroundings, an awesome spot to take photos and just breathe.
During the summer months, you'll find lifeguards on duty, making it a great option for less experienced swimmers.
Parking is available nearby, though it can fill up quickly during peak summer weekends, so arriving early is your best bet. If you plan ahead, this way you’ll avoid the crowds and get to enjoy the beach at its most peaceful.
What I loved best:
The lively boardwalk scene framed by the town’s iconic stone Towers was a standout.
Chatham, Cape Cod Beaches
For most people, no road trip of New England's best beaches could be complete without visiting Cape Cod on vacation!
I've been going for decades and I think Chatham is Cape Cod at its most enchanting.
The views are iconic with not only windswept beaches, but also shingle-style cottages, and heaps of hydrangeas everywhere. When you get hungry, the walkable village center makes it easy to choose the perfect lunch stop.
First I recommend heading to Lighthouse Beach, the town’s most iconic stretch of sand. Keep an eye out for seals bobbing offshore too, but the current is strong! I think that Harding's Beach is one of the best New England beaches for families with lifeguards and a bathhouse. Cockle Cove Beach is another good choice with warm-er water.
What I loved best:
Browsing boutiques and galleries on Main Street!
A downside? During peak summer, parking is a challenge.
Hammonasset Beach State Park - Madison, CT
This state park beach surprises you by how this sandy stretch is a total hidden gem near Madison, Connecticut right off Long Island Sound (less than 2 hours from NYC so it's good day trip for city folk too!).
We started the day early driving in which I highly recommend in the summer season. First thing we did was park near the main beach and walk straight onto the sand.
Opened in 1920, this area has a history being a Winchester Arms testing range, and even a WWII Army training site. Then it became Connecticut's largest shoreline park, drawing millions of visitors coming for the beaches and nature center.
You can let your kids play in the soft sand. You'll still need to be watchful near the water (of course!) but it's a calm stretch great for a family beach day. There is plenty of space for a picnic here too.
I appreciated the walking trails near the beach to stretch our legs. You'll see birds everywhere which adds to the magic.
Before leaving, we stayed to watch the sunset which was excellent.
Goosewing Beach Preserve, RI
When we are up for a bit of family adventure on our road trip, I always think of this unique Rhode Island beach! The state of Rhode Island has over 400 miles of coastline and this is one of my favorite stretches.
A sandy path and wooden bridge lead you into this 75-acre coastal preserve managed by The Nature Conservancy.
What I loved most was how natural everything felt without any fuss or boardwalks.
Chappaquiddick Island Beach, MA
My absolute favorite hidden island beach in New England sits just a quick ferry ride from Martha’s Vineyard. Unless you are a Kennedy family history buff, you've probably never heard of Chappaquiddick.
For me, this incredible beach had an off-the-grid serenity that instantly set it apart as you can see in my photos.
Just a super short ferry ride across Edgartown Harbor, “Chappy” is its own world.
You an spend a whole day here if you bring a picnic and water. You can hike on the dunes to reach the most unspoiled beaches in all of New England. The most striking stretch for me 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 assist 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 (I know I wrote it twice, but trust me, there isn't anything to eat on Chappaquiddick unless you catch your own fish)!
Hampton Beach, NH
This place was like a hidden beach paradise near the Massachusetts border and just south of Portsmouth. It's my favorite New Hampshire area to explore on a beach vacation.
Just an hour’s drive north of Boston, we liked getting an early start on our day trip from Boston.
The boardwalk scene is the best place to start the day. You'll find filled cool arcades, casual seafood spots, and interesting local shops on this boardwalk.
You can spend your days day on the sandy beach area, built sandcastles, fish, or go boating and kayaking.
You can turn a day trip into a weekend getaway if you book a Campsite at Hampton Beach State Park. However the RV campground is open only from early May to end of October.
Long Sands Beach, York, Maine
When I visited this place in southern Maine, I was struck by how this underrated gem felt with its excellent beach and iconic New England views of the Nubble Lighthouse.
You'll discover a mile-and-a-half stretch of soft sand dotted with colorful umbrellas in summer. Just be sure to arrive early in the day for ease of parking.
I like the local shops and seafood spots along York Beach village where you can always find a new flavor. Long Sands Beach is one of the best beach weekend getaways for both locals and travelers.
Conclusion
I hope that this article gets you thinking about New England as a beach destination. After exploring these incredible spots, I realized New England’s beaches are some of the most underrated gems in the Northeast.
If you’re searching for the absolute best adventures, these vibrant spots prove that New England’s beaches are cool, unique, and completely worth the journey.
Congratulations for reading through all my Best Beaches in New England on a Road Trip. I hope that our experiences inspire you to go on your own road trip to one (or more!) of my favorite beaches!
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
