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Connecticut has salt-water beaches on the coast; lakes and ponds inland

Connecticut > State > On the Water > Beaches

Connecticut's shoreline, along Long Island Sound, offers a good selection of salt water beaches for all tastes. Among the best of these is Ocean Beach in New London, with white sugar sand and lots of entertainment like a swimming pool, miniature golf, and game rooms. Beach communities stand ready to serve other needs beside swimming, tanning, and strolling along the sand.
Connecticut offers visitors a wide variety of swimming areas – 23 in all – from lake beaches to sandy ocean stretches. Eight beaches – Black Rock, Burr Pond, Hammonasset, Indian Well, Rocky Neck, Sherwood Island, Silver Sands and Squantz Pond – have lifeguards who are typically on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Some facilities do not charge a parking fee; others charge only for weekends and holidays. Fees for non-residents range from $6 to $22. More information. There is no parking fee for residents. Season passes for non-residents are $112 and can be purchased here.

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Dubois Beach - Stonington Borough Merchants - Stonington, CT
Stonington Borough Connecticut

Sandy beach at scenic peninsula’s tip perfect for a day of family fun

Bring your umbrella, your cooler and your tanning lotion and head to beautiful DuBois Beach at the tip of the mile-long peninsula that Stonington Borough calls home. The sandy beach, with 265 feet of shoreline, features gentle surf, shallow water depths, a shaded gazebo, an anchored dock – even jetties so the kids can go crabbing. It’s a great spot to catch some rays and enjoy the view across the breakwater (make sure you come back for the sunset). There’s a small grassy park, perfect for picnics. This is a clean, family-oriented beach, with lifeguards in-season, that’s a favorite with locals and visitors alike and suitable for even the littlest of tykes.
Ocean Beach Park Beach and Seagull New London CT
Ocean Beach Park

1225 Ocean Avenue New London, CT, 06320 Phone: 860-447-3031 Toll-Free: 800-510-7263

Sugar-sand makes for sweet time at beach park

A half-mile of soft sugar-sand beach awaits visitors to friendly Ocean Beach Park, and the pristine beach, meticulously groomed, is wide enough so you and your family can really stretch out with your umbrella and blanket. While the little ones are building sand castles, you can be sitting back and watching ferries pass through Long Island Sound. Stroll over to the park’s old-fashioned boardwalk for a meal, a cocktail, a round of mini golf, a kiddie spraypark, a little Skee-ball or amusement rides. Entertainment includes free beach blanket movies Tuesday nights.
Parking fees (includes park admission): Weekends $23, Weekdays $17, Weeknights after 6pm $8, Fireworks Evenings $10. Seasonal parking passes available. Walk-in Admission $6. See website for more information & fees for rides/attractions.
Misquamicut-State-Beach-at--dusk-shutterstock_144839017
Misquamicut State Beach

257 Atlantic Avenue Westerly, RI Phone: 401-596-9097

Ocean beach operated by the State of Rhode Island, but close to SE Connecticut; parking fees charged

Seven miles of sandy, white beach, clean, clear, water with moderate surf little undertow. Parking for 3,000 cars. Picnic area, restroom, telephone, complete wheelchair access, warning signals for blind people, fire alarm signals for deaf people.
Season & Hours: May through Memorial Day, open weekends only, weather permitting; Memorial Day through Labor Day, open daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fees: Weekday resident, $10 (senior, $5); non-resident, $20 (senior, $10). Weekend resident, $14 (senior, $7); non-resident, $28 (senior, $14). Season rate resident, $60 (senior, $30); non-resident, $120 (senior, $60).
Hammonasset Beach State Park-credit-CT Office of Tourism
Hammonasset Beach State Park

1288 Boston Post Road Madison, CT Phone: 203-245-2785

Very large park on Long Island Sound offers swimming, salt water fishing, boardwalk, lots of camping sites; lifeguards on duty Wednesdays through Sundays

Two miles of beach welcome swimmers, sunbathers, and fishermen at this large shoreline park on Long Island Sound.
Beach parking fees: Memorial Day-Labor Day: weekdays, $9 for Connecticut vehicles and $15 for out-of-state vehicles; weekends and holidays, $13 for CT vehicles and $22 for out-of-state; fees after 4 p.m. on all days are half the day rate. Mid-April to Memorial Day and Labor Day-October: parking is free on weekdays and in-state fees apply on weekends. Parking is free off-season.
See full description of Hammonasset Beach State Park.
Lighthouse Point State Park -credit shutterstock
Lighthouse Point Park

Lighthouse Road New Haven, CT Phone: 203-946-8019

Lighthouse tours, water sports, marine biology programs, paddling tours

This multi-faceted park on Long Island Sound has beaches for swimming, boating, and other water sports along with a lighthouse (open for tours) and lots of opportunities for kids and adults to learn about marine ecology.
Parking fees: New Haven registered vehicles, free; non-resident vehicles, $25 a day and $100 for the season; out-of-state vehicles, $30 a day, no seasonal parking. 

Sandy Point Beach

Beach Street West Haven, CT Phone: 203-937-3651

The tip of a stretch of beach front from Bradley Point Park. Near the Sandy Point estuary, one of the sites featured on the Connecticut Coastal Birding Trail.
Hours: Beaches are open from 9 a.m.–dusk daily. Lifeguards are on duty weekends only through June 22, daily from June 23–August 17 and weekends only from August 23–September 1. Daily supervision is from 10:15 a.m.–3 p.m.
Fees: Daily parking fees for non-residents is Memorial Day to Labor Day, $10 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and $5 after 4 p.m.
Short Beach

Dorne Drive Stratford, CT Phone:

Short Beach is located adjacent to the mouth of the Housatonic River, and it provides recreation for citizens of all ages. The northernmost section provides handicapped access to the beach as well as least tern and piping plover nesting areas. Fisherman also use the marine basin to fish for snapper bluefish during the summer months. Farther south on the beach are picnic areas, a calisthenics course, a playground, and a sandbox. A concession stand/shower is located on the beach.
Bradley Point Park & Beach

Captain Thomas Blvd. -- Exit 42 off I-95 West Haven, CT Phone: 203-937-3651

Small sandy beach and paved walkway; parking fee in summer

This park has a small sandy beach and a walkway parallel to Long Island Sound. Facilities include volleyball court and portable toilets. On-site parking is available. A 1.7-mile walkway for pedestrians, bicyclists and roller-bladers connects beaches from Bradley Point Park to Sandy Point, with views of the Sound most of the way.
Hours: Beaches are open from 9 a.m.–dusk daily. Lifeguards are on duty weekends only through June 22, daily from June 23–August 17 and weekends only from August 23–September 1. Daily supervision is from 10:15 a.m.–3 p.m.
Fees: : Daily parking fees for non-residents is Memorial Day to Labor Day, $10 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and $5 after 4.
Morse Beach

Beach Street West Haven, CT Phone: 203-937-3651

Part of a stretch of beach front form Bradley Point Park to the Sandy Point Bird Sanctuary
Hours: Beaches are open from 9 a.m.–dusk daily. Lifeguards are on duty weekends only through June 22, daily from June 23–August 17 and weekends only from August 23–September 1. Daily supervision is from 10:15 a.m.–3 p.m.
Fees: Daily parking fees for non-residents is Memorial Day to Labor Day, $10 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and $5 after 4.
Penfield Beach

Fairfield Beach road, off I-95 at Exit 22 Fairfield, CT Phone: 203-256-3010

Open: Memorial Day - Labor Day

Beach amenities include a playground, picnic area with public grills, food concession and restrooms.
Daily parking fee: week days, $20; weekends and holidays, $50. Learn more about seasonal stickers.
Calf Pasture Beach

Calf Pasture Beach Road, off I-95 at Exit 16 Norwalk, CT Phone: 203-854-7806

Open May to October, daily. Parking fee charged

Part of Norwalk Harbor, this beach and recreation area is open for swimming, boating, fishing from a pier, and clam digging. Playing fields for volleyball, bocce, basketball, softball. There is a skate board park. Many tree-shaded picnic tables; the picnic areas at Shady Beach -- which is just a bit east from Calf Pasture Beach -- have grills. Food concessions are open in the summer.
Season & Hours: May to October, daily, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Parking fee: Free for Norwalk residents who have obtained a pass. Non-residents: $25 a day on weekdays; $30 a day on weekends; $10 after 5 p.m.
Clinton Town Beach

Waterside Lane Clinton, CT Phone: 860-669-6901

Open: Memorial Day - Labor Day, 9 am - 5 pm daily

This is a sandy beach facing the entrance to Clinton Harbor with views of Long Island Sound. Enjoy the beach at high tide, and walk out to the sand bars in Clinton Harbor at low tide. There is a car-top boat access area for sea-kayaks and car-top boats, and a walkway for fishing off an old stone bridge that crosses the Hammock River at the entrance. In season, sanitary facilities and a food concession are open to the public. A pavilion is available for picnic lunches as well as a viewing platform with interpretive signs to enjoy wildlife in adjacent tidal marshes. Lifeguards on duty during daytime hours.
Cost: Residents may purchase a seasonal beach pass for $20. Non-residents must pay a $25 per day parking fee.
Rocky Neck State Park

244 West Main Street (Route 156) East Lyme, CT Phone: 860-739-5471

Sandy beach in CT state park; parking fees charged; lifeguards on duty Wednesdays through Sundays

A white, sandy ocean beach is waiting at this popular park on Long Island Sound. Lots of other water sports and walks and bird watching are features of summer fun at this park.
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to sunset.
Fees: Memorial Day-Labor Day: weekdays, $9 for Connecticut vehicles and $15 for out-of-state vehicles; weekends and holidays, $13 for CT vehicles and $22 for out-of-state; fees after 4 p.m. on all days are half the day rate. Mid-April to Memorial Day and Labor Day-October: parking is free on weekdays and in-state fees apply on weekends. Parking is free off-season.
See full description of Rocky Neck State Park.
Sound View Beach

End of Hartford and Swan avenues Old Lyme, CT Phone:

Sound View offers numerous attractions including beach front restaurants, ice cream, a historic carousel, and its own craft beer. During the summer, the beach hosts many public entertainments, including a pancake breakfast, bird watching, movies under the stars, a road race, live music and a Fourth of July parade. There is not lifeguard on duty. Prohibited: alcoholic beverage, pets, motor vehicles, glass containers, ball playing, open fires, fireworks.
Parking: Old Lyme residents with stickers park for free. Non-residents may use the town parking lot, private lots, and street parking for a fee. Fees are weekdays, $5 for two hours; weekends and holidays, $7 for two hours. Payment is at kiosks, which accept cash, Master Card and Visa.
Harvey's Beach

Route 154 Old Saybrook, CT Phone: 860-395-3152

Open Memorial Day - Labor Day; parking fee

Beachfront is 100 yards long and includes a concession stand, playground, changing rooms, bathrooms, shower tower. Lifeguards are on duty during operating hours. Open to Connecticut residents and non-residents. Managed by the town of Old Saybrook.
Parking fee: for non-residents, weekdays, $20 per car; weekends and holidays, $30 per car.
Silver Sands State Park

Silver Sands Park Road (Exit 35 off I-95) Milford, CT Phone: 203-735-4311

Saltwater swimming and fishing; free admission; lifeguards on duty Wednesdays through Saturdays

Swimming and fishing (saltwater) are allowed at this park, which features Charles Island, legendary location of Captain Kidd's buried treasure. Admission is free.
Season & Hours: All year, daily, 8 a.m.-sunset Park map.
Sherwood Island State Park

Off I-95 at Exit 18 Westport, CT Phone: 203-226-6983

Swimming and fishing beach a short drive from New York; rocky beach has sharp stones; footwear needed; lifeguards on duty Wednesdays through Sundays

State park features a sandy beach, fishing areas, food concession, bathhouse, and swimming areas. Have a leisurely lunch in the picnic grove, swim in Long Island sound, or view marsh life from the observation platform. Because of the sharp rocks and shells at West Beach, visitors are urged to wear beach shoes. East Beach, which has lifeguards on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Surf and shore fishing are allowed outside of swimming areas.
Park fees: Weekends, $20 for residents and $30 for non-residents. Weekday fees are $14 and $20. Fee is $10 after 4 p.m.
Weed Beach

Nearwater Lane, off I-95 at Exit 27 Darien, CT Phone: 203-656-7325

Beach amenities include public grills, picnic areas, tennis courts, restrooms. Reservations are required for the tennis courts.
Fees: Parking permits are required Memorial through Labor Day. Fees are resident vehicle, $40; senior residents, one free per family; non-resident taxpayer, $70; summer residents, $100; beach day pass, $40; boat launch, $45; daily boat launch, $65
Walnut Beach

Park Avenue and East Broadway Milford, CT Phone: 203-783-3280

The beach community puts on a summer art festival and outdoor concert series.
Fees: Walnut Beach is free for Milford residents who have a beach parking sticker (available at the Parsons complex). Non-resident visitors will be charged $15 per car from Memorial day through Labor day.
Seaside Park Beach

Barnum Dyke, Off I-95 at Exit 27 Bridgeport, CT Phone: 203-576-7233

Open: Memorial Day - Labor Day

Beach with a picnic area, food concession, bathhouse and restrooms.
Fees: Day passes are $20 for vehicles with Connecticut registration and $40 for cars with out-of-state registration. Annual passes are $10 for CT registered vehicle and $100 for non-resident vehicles. 
Oak Street Beach

Captain Thomas Blvd. West Haven, CT Phone: 203-937-3651

Park of a system of beaches from Bradley Point Park out to the Sandy Point Beach and Bird Sanctuary.
Hours: Beaches are open from 9 a.m.–dusk daily. Lifeguards are on duty weekends only through June 22, daily from June 23–August 17 and weekends only from August 23–September 1. Daily supervision is from 10:15 a.m.–3 p.m.
Fees: Daily parking fees for non-residents is Memorial Day to Labor Day, $10 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and $5 after 4.
Jennings Beach

880 South Benson Road, off I-95 at Exit 22 Fairfield, CT Phone:

Sandy beach on Long Island Sound; parking fee Memorial Day to Labor Day

Large sandy beach with great views of Long Island Sound. Great for families. Lifeguards during summer; swimming lessons offered. The property is near a marina and a playground with a skate park. Beach is wheelchair accessible. It has concession stand, bathrooms, and volleyball poles. Special events at the beach include watching July 4 fireworks, and Bonfire on the Beach. Dogs allowed October 1 - March 31.
Fees: Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, a beach sticker is required to park in the lot. Vehicles without a sticker must pay to park from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fee is weekdays, $20; weekends and holidays, $50.