Connecticut Beaches

Connecticut’s coastline along Long Island Sound is dotted with beautiful beaches that offer a variety of recreational activities and scenic beauty. Whether you’re looking to swim, sunbathe, picnic, or explore tidal pools, Connecticut’s beaches provide the perfect setting for a day by the water. Here’s a guide to some of the most notable beaches in Connecticut.

Hammonasset Beach State Park

Location: Madison
Highlights: Hammonasset Beach State Park is the largest shoreline park in Connecticut, offering over two miles of sandy beaches. It’s perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking. The park also features a nature center, boardwalks, and hiking trails.
Activities: Swimming, picnicking, hiking, bird watching, and fishing
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic areas, concession stands, and camping facilities

Rocky Neck State Park

Location: East Lyme
Highlights: This coastal park features a sandy beach, tidal river, and salt marshes. It’s a great spot for swimming, fishing, and hiking. The park also has picnic areas and camping facilities.
Activities: Swimming, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and camping
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic areas, concession stands, and camping facilities

Silver Sands State Park

Location: Milford
Highlights: Silver Sands State Park features a beautiful sandy beach, tidal marshes, and a boardwalk. It’s a great spot for swimming, bird watching, and picnicking. The park also offers scenic views of Charles Island, which is accessible by a sandbar at low tide.
Activities: Swimming, bird watching, picnicking, and hiking
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic areas, and a boardwalk

Sherwood Island State Park

Location: Westport
Highlights: Sherwood Island State Park is Connecticut’s first state park and offers a mix of sandy beaches, woodlands, and wetlands. It’s perfect for swimming, picnicking, and bird watching. The park also features a nature center and scenic views of Long Island Sound.
Activities: Swimming, picnicking, bird watching, and hiking
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic areas, concession stands, and a nature center

Ocean Beach Park

Location: New London
Highlights: Ocean Beach Park offers a half-mile of sandy beach, a boardwalk, and a variety of family-friendly amenities, including an Olympic-sized swimming pool, mini-golf, and amusement rides. The park also features picnic areas and a nature trail.
Activities: Swimming, picnicking, mini-golf, amusement rides, and hiking
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic areas, concession stands, and an amusement area

Walnut Beach

Location: Milford
Highlights: Walnut Beach is a lovely sandy beach with a fishing pier, boardwalk, and picnic areas. It’s a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the scenic views of Long Island Sound.
Activities: Swimming, picnicking, fishing, and walking
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic areas, and a boardwalk

Compo Beach

Location: Westport
Highlights: Compo Beach is a popular spot for families, offering a sandy beach, playground, and picnic areas. The beach also features a boardwalk, basketball courts, and a marina.
Activities: Swimming, picnicking, basketball, and boating
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic areas, playground, and a marina

Jennings Beach

Location: Fairfield
Highlights: Jennings Beach is one of Fairfield’s largest beaches, offering a wide sandy beach, picnic areas, and a playground. The beach also features a concession stand and volleyball courts.
Activities: Swimming, picnicking, volleyball, and sunbathing
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic areas, concession stand, and playground

Harvey’s Beach

Location: Old Saybrook
Highlights: Harvey’s Beach is a small, family-friendly beach with gentle waves and shallow waters, making it ideal for young children. The beach offers picnic areas, a playground, and beautiful views of Long Island Sound.
Activities: Swimming, picnicking, and sunbathing
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic areas, and a playground

Lighthouse Point Park

Location: New Haven
Highlights: Lighthouse Point Park features a sandy beach, historic lighthouse, and a carousel. The park offers beautiful views of Long Island Sound and is a popular spot for swimming, picnicking, and bird watching.
Activities: Swimming, picnicking, bird watching, and visiting the lighthouse
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic areas, concession stands, and a carousel

Jacobs Beach

Location: Guilford
Highlights: Jacobs Beach is a small, sandy beach with calm waters, making it ideal for families. The beach offers picnic areas, a playground, and beautiful views of Long Island Sound.
Activities: Swimming, picnicking, and sunbathing
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic areas, and a playground

Whether you’re looking for a day of swimming, a scenic picnic spot, or a place to explore tidal pools and wildlife, Connecticut’s beaches offer a wide range of experiences. We hope you find this guide helpful as you explore the natural beauty and recreational opportunities that Connecticut’s beaches have to offer. Happy beachgoing!

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