Question About Rhode Island Beaches. (Newport, Westerly: condos, hotel, houses)

[Thruway]

In Rhode Island, so called the Ocean State, how are the beaches?

I lived in Boston and usually went to the NH/ME beaches, once I went to Cape Cod.
Both places were alright, but they were pretty cold and I thought the surf was unimpressive.

I know in CT it mostly touches the Long Island Sound which is polluted.
What about Rhode Island, do you get the Ocean or mostly Long Island, Block Island, Fisher Island Sound?
What are they like?
I like to surf, any good bets on surfing nearby or is that not really an option.
What about water temps, I went to Cape Cod, it was freezing, is CT and Rhode Island better for this?
Thanks.

[hiknapster]

Misquamicut is one of the best beaches in New England, and the surf is really good, much better than the cape.

[mr2448]

Originally Posted by tberg224

In Rhode Island, so called the Ocean State, how are the beaches?

I lived in Boston and usually went to the NH/ME beaches, once I went to Cape Cod.
Both places were alright, but they were pretty cold and I thought the surf was unimpressive.

I know in CT it mostly touches the Long Island Sound which is polluted.
What about Rhode Island, do you get the Ocean or mostly Long Island, Block Island, Fisher Island Sound?
What are they like?
I like to surf, any good bets on surfing nearby or is that not really an option.
What about water temps, I went to Cape Cod, it was freezing, is CT and Rhode Island better for this?
Thanks.

The best Connecticut beaches are in Rhode Island. Without Misquamicut, Connecticut residents would have nowhere to go. Even western Massachusett residents go there. Rhode Ilsanders don't. They go to Narragansett Pier, Scarborough, Salty Brine beach, etc. We have great beaches with warmer water than most of New England. The down side is that polution is raising its ugly head occasionally. Overbuilding and birds are the cause. But, because they are all ocean beaches they clean out quickly.

Surfing? Where are you from that you would not know the surfing conditions in Rhode Ilsand. There are at least 6 tournaments at Narragansett Pier every year. Because the beaches are ocean beaches they can get 10-15 swells during storms. Point Judith would then be your choice, but you would really need to know the sport when surfing there; all rocks, no beach. Surfing in Rhode Island has been going on for over 45years. Long board, never used the short board.

[dutch10]

The best Connecticut beaches are in Rhode Island. Without Misquamicut, Connecticut residents would have nowhere to go. Even western Massachusett residents go there. Rhode Ilsanders don't. They go to Narragansett Pier, Scarborough, Salty Brine beach, etc.

Very true, I'm a life long Rhode Islander and have never been to Misquamicut. I've always preferred East Matunuck myself.

[Thruway]

Originally Posted by mr2448

The best Connecticut beaches are in Rhode Island. Without Misquamicut, Connecticut residents would have nowhere to go. Even western Massachusett residents go there. Rhode Ilsanders don't. They go to Narragansett Pier, Scarborough, Salty Brine beach, etc. We have great beaches with warmer water than most of New England. The down side is that polution is raising its ugly head occasionally. Overbuilding and birds are the cause. But, because they are all ocean beaches they clean out quickly.

Surfing? Where are you from that you would not know the surfing conditions in Rhode Ilsand. There are at least 6 tournaments at Narragansett Pier every year. Because the beaches are ocean beaches they can get 10-15 swells during storms. Point Judith would then be your choice, but you would really need to know the sport when surfing there; all rocks, no beach. Surfing in Rhode Island has been going on for over 45years. Long board, never used the short board.

Well I like the OBX were without a storm you can 6-8 feet waves.
The Cape's water is cold, rocky, and an overall average 2-4 surf.

How does Rhode Island beaches compare in terms of temperature and surf to the cape?

If they are warmer, how come since they are so close to the Cape?

[mr2448]

Originally Posted by tberg224

Well I like the OBX were without a storm you can 6-8 feet waves.
The Cape's water is cold, rocky, and an overall average 2-4 surf.

How does Rhode Island beaches compare in terms of temperature and surf to the cape?

If they are warmer, how come since they are so close to the Cape?

during the summer months the water can get to 70-75. warmer than most Cape beaches. Rhode Ilsand waters face south and get fed by the Gulf Stream current. eight months out of the year you will need a wet suit. surf at Narr. Pier is only about 2-5 ft, but the waves break slowly allowing for the longest runs in New England and thre Northeast.

BTW, check Gulf Stream current on the web and you will see that it flows away from the Cape.

[unknown stuntman]

Matunuck, Scarborough, Point Judith...the beaches along the Charlestown and Narragansett coast line are beautiful. Narragansett is a clean, upkept town and the Coast Guard House is a great venue for both live music and fresh seafood right on the shore line: yes at one time it was legitimately a life saving station utilized by the Coast Guard. I highly recommend this area for southern New England beaches well above and beyond any where. If you have kids, then Narragansett is the best choice and has enough in the vicinity for kids dining and entertainment wise without all the tacky t-shirt shops and ugly boardwalks one sometimes sterotypes with actual beach tourist towns.

Newport is packed in the summer: fantastic place to visit, but I more advise one to avoid the height of summer. If your a surfer though, Newport from my experience has the best surf in southern New England.

Avoid Misquamicut. The place is a dump as far as I am concerned, both the beach and the businesses. Head five minutes over to historic Watch Hill. Much cleaner beaches, slower pace and minus the tennys blaring their obnoxious crappy music, but still enough for the kids and plenty of fantastic dining options, including the venerable Tea Room. The oldest merry-go-round still operates here and you will not believe the size of the imposing mansions and the old Ocean House built in 1868, which is currently being renovated and converted to a condo complex. The mammoth facility was formerly the last operating hotel from the Victorian era and the first with indoor plumbing.

[sally0]

The beaches are better than Cape Cod if you enjoy swimming. They are clean and not rocky. The temp is good. Towns of Charlestown (lowest taxes), Westerly (medium), and Watch Hill (wicked expensive houses) have the nicest beaches.

[sally0]

P.S. I found Misquamicut in Westerly to be very clean, nice, and they have cool outdoor concerts all summer long. Blues on the Beach series put on by a cool young town councilman and area business group. It's a very nice place to live Westerly/Watch Hill with a cosmopolitan/international group of people. Some are just summer homes. Watch Hill is very eliteist with a great gold course and yacht club. Westerly has a vocal performance group, an annual art show in the victorian park, and they also have Shakespeare in the Park series all summer long. They also have a theatre company off the park. It borders the CT line and it's not far from the Casinos in CT if you want to see your favorite entertainer and get some good food or a suite with jacuzzi and everything. At Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly, they have State Police so I never saw anyone get away with blasting music. Everyone is respectful on the beach. The good thing about Misquamicut is that it is so far from the city. The city folks who go in bus loads, go to Scarborough or Narragansett Beach areas or Burlingame Park (freshwater and plenty of people washing their bodies with soap in the water-it usually gets closed down because of bacteria because some city people or foreigners don't obey the rules or are just ignorant). The Atlantic beach Hotel in Westerly always has things going on all year long. There are other cool eateries along Atlantic Ave. there. They also have an area on the shore for the expensive RV hookups. If it's noisey at Misquamicut, it could be that they were having 50's night at Sandy's or Harley weekend. The I'm so kicking myself for having sold my house there! The people are very nice. There are new luxury condos being built there. Maybe I'll head back over there. It's way better than polluted rocky Cape Cod whose locals hate tourists, as do the police.

[dutch10]

The city folks who go in bus loads, go to Scarborough or Narragansett Beach areas or Burlingame Park (freshwater and plenty of people washing their bodies with soap in the water-it usually gets closed down because of bacteria because some city people or foreigners don't obey the rules or are just ignorant).

So true, so true..Saturday at my local pond (Gorton's) has always been known as bath day.