Newport beach guide · Reviewed October 2026
Newport, RI has beaches for every kind of beach day. Surf and boogie board at Easton’s Beach, swim with toddlers in the calm harbor water at Fort Adams, or pay for a quiet cove at Gooseberry. A few famous names, like Bailey’s Beach, are private clubs, so it helps to know which beaches you can actually use before you go.
Newport RI beaches at a glance
| Beach | Town | Best for | Water | Public? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easton’s (First) Beach | Newport | Surfing, boogie boarding, the Cliff Walk | Waves | Yes |
| Fort Adams State Beach | Newport | Little kids, free parking | Calm | Yes |
| Gooseberry Beach | Newport | Quiet cove, calm swimming | Calm | Paid pass |
| King Park Beach | Newport | Harbor views, playground, picnics | Calm | Yes |
| Sachuest (Second) Beach | Middletown | Long walks, surf lessons | Waves | Yes |
| Third Beach | Middletown | Calm water | Calm | Residents’ parking |
| Bailey’s and Hazard’s | Newport | Seeing from the Cliff Walk or Ocean Drive | — | Private |
Easton’s Beach (First Beach)
Easton’s Beach is Newport’s main public beach, on Memorial Boulevard at the northern start of the Cliff Walk. Most locals call it First Beach. The rolling waves make it popular for surfing and boogie boarding, and lifeguards are on duty daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. There are wheelchair-accessible public restrooms.
- Parking: Paid from April 1 to November 30. Recent non-resident rates have been $25 on weekdays and $35 on weekends and holidays, and parking is free from December through March.
- Dogs: Allowed on a leash in the off-season only.
- Tip: Park once and walk the Cliff Walk from here. See our Cliff Walk parking guide for other options.
Fort Adams State Beach
Inside Fort Adams State Park, this small beach (about 225 feet long) sits on calm harbor water with a roped-off swimming area. It is one of the best Newport beaches for young children. Lifeguards are on duty in season, and there are accessible restrooms, showers and a picnic area. Parking is free.
Make a day of it: tour the historic fort, picnic on the lawn with views of the harbor and the Newport Bridge, then drive Ocean Drive. Families can compare family-friendly Newport hotels.
Gooseberry Beach
Gooseberry Beach is a pretty, calm cove along Ocean Drive. It is privately run by its shareholders but open to the public with a paid daily parking pass, sold online at gooseberrybeach.com. Recent daily passes have been about $30 plus tax per car, with up to five people per vehicle. Walk-on visitors and drop-offs are not allowed, though arriving by bike or scooter is.
- Facilities: Lifeguards in season and a cash-only snack bar.
- Best for: A quiet, low-key beach day with gentle water. Passes are limited, so buy early on hot weekends.
King Park Beach
On Wellington Avenue overlooking Newport Harbor, King Park is less a destination beach and more a neighborhood park with a small swimming area. It has public restrooms, a picnic area and a playground, plus boat-watching views across the harbor. Parking is available but limited.
Sachuest Beach (Second Beach), Middletown
Just over the line in Middletown, Second Beach stretches about a mile and a half toward the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge. It is the area’s biggest beach, with surf lessons and board rentals in season, and bigger waves at the Surfer’s End section. Lifeguards are on duty in season, and there are restrooms, showers, a concession stand and a picnic area.
- Parking: Non-resident daily rates have been about $25–$30 on weekdays and $35–$40 on weekends and holidays in peak summer. The Surfer’s End lot has been reserved for residents.
- Dogs: Early morning only in summer (before about 7:45 am), anytime in the off-season.
After the beach, walk the trails at Sachuest Point. See our hiking trails and parks guide.
Third Beach, Middletown
Third Beach sits in a sheltered cove down the road from Second Beach, with calm water and very few waves. In recent seasons, parking has been limited to Middletown residents with a seasonal pass, so most visitors should plan on Second Beach instead.
Private beaches: Bailey’s Beach and Hazard’s Beach
Bailey’s Beach, at the southern end of the Cliff Walk, is the private Spouting Rock Beach Association, a members-only club that has served Newport society since the Gilded Age. Hazard’s Beach, off Ocean Drive, is also privately run, with no public parking or listed public right-of-way. You can see both from the Cliff Walk and Ocean Drive, but plan your beach day at one of the public beaches above.
Beaches near Newport worth the drive
- Sandy Point Beach, Portsmouth: Calm, shallow water on the Sakonnet River. Good for families; no lifeguards.
- Mackerel Cove, Jamestown: A quiet half-mile cove near Beavertail State Park.
- Fogland Beach, Tiverton: Popular for windsurfing, kayaking and kite surfing.
Which Newport beach should you choose?
- Traveling with toddlers: Fort Adams State Beach (calm, roped-off, free parking).
- Surfing or boogie boarding: Easton’s Beach or Second Beach.
- Quiet couples’ beach day: Gooseberry Beach. Pair it with one of our romantic hotels.
- Beach plus Cliff Walk: Easton’s Beach.
- Long beach walk: Second Beach, then Sachuest Point.
- Bringing the dog: Go in the off-season, or early morning at Second Beach. See our pet-friendly hotels.
Where to stay near Newport’s beaches
Easton’s Beach and Second Beach sit on the Newport–Middletown line, so hotels along Memorial Boulevard and Aquidneck Avenue in Middletown put you closest to the sand. Compare options in our Newport hotels near the beach guide, or browse budget-friendly hotels with free parking. If you want to walk to dinner downtown after the beach, see downtown Newport hotels.
Newport beach tips
- Arrive early on summer weekends. Lots at Easton’s and Second Beach can fill by late morning.
- Check water quality. Rhode Island occasionally closes beaches to swimming after heavy rain because of bacteria levels. Check the RI Department of Health beach status before you go.
- Bring a layer. Ocean breezes can make June and September beach days cooler than inland. Our Newport packing guide has a full list.
- Plan around peak season. See the best time to visit Newport for crowds and rates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best beach in Newport, RI?
Easton’s Beach is the best all-around public beach in Newport, with lifeguards, restrooms and surf. For calm water and small kids, Fort Adams State Beach is the top choice.
Are Newport beaches free?
Most charge for parking in summer. Fort Adams State Beach has free parking, and Easton’s Beach parking is free from December through March.
Is Bailey’s Beach public?
No. Bailey’s Beach is the private Spouting Rock Beach Association and is open only to members.
Can you walk onto Gooseberry Beach?
No. Gooseberry requires a daily parking pass bought online; walk-ons and drop-offs are not permitted, although you can arrive by bike or scooter.
Which Newport beach has the calmest water?
Fort Adams State Beach and Gooseberry Beach have the calmest water. Third Beach in Middletown is also calm but has resident-only parking.
Are dogs allowed on Newport beaches?
Generally only in the off-season. Easton’s allows leashed dogs outside of summer, and Second Beach allows dogs early in the morning in summer.