Is Newport, RI on an Island? Aquidneck Island Explained

Newport travel guide · Reviewed November 2026

Yes, Newport, RI is on an island: Aquidneck Island, the largest island in Narragansett Bay. Newport takes up the southern end, with Middletown in the middle and Portsmouth to the north. You will not notice you are on an island once you are downtown, but you do cross a bridge to get there.

Newport and Aquidneck Island at a glance

What island is Newport, RI on?

Aquidneck Island is the largest island in Narragansett Bay, at roughly 37.8 square miles, and about 60,000 people lived on it at the 2020 Census. Its three towns each have a different feel. Newport is the historic harbor city with the mansions and the waterfront. Middletown is the middle of the island, home to Second Beach and much of the shopping. Portsmouth is the quieter, more residential north end.

The name Aquidneck comes from the Narragansett people, and even Roger Williams, who knew the language well, reportedly never learned what it meant. Many people still say “the island” for short when they mean Aquidneck.

Is Rhode Island an island?

No. Rhode Island is a mainland state that borders Massachusetts, Connecticut and the Atlantic. The confusion has a real history, though. The English renamed Aquidneck “Rhode Island” in 1644, and over time the name spread to the whole colony. Historians are not certain why the name was chosen. One idea links it to a Dutch phrase meaning “red island,” possibly for the island’s red soil, and another to an early explorer’s comparison of Block Island to the Greek island of Rhodes.

So when someone asks why Rhode Island has “island” in its name, the short answer is that the state borrowed it from the island Newport sits on. Locals call it Aquidneck to keep the two apart. The state itself does contain real islands, including Aquidneck, Conanicut (Jamestown) and Block Island.

How to get to Newport, RI: the bridges

If you are driving, you arrive over one of three bridges. Picking the right one depends on where you are coming from.

Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge (Route 138)

This long suspension bridge opened in 1969 and links Newport with Jamestown across the East Passage, carrying Route 138. Drivers coming from the south and west of the state, including much of the route from Providence, often use it. It is also the only toll crossing. It is all-electronic, so there is no stopping to pay. At last check, RITBA listed passenger-car rates of $0.83 per crossing for Rhode Island resident E-ZPass holders, $2.00 per axle for other E-ZPass transponders and $3.00 per axle for bill by mail. A standard car has two axles. Rates can change, so confirm on the RITBA site.

Mount Hope Bridge (Route 114)

Opened in 1929, this bridge connects Bristol with Portsmouth across Mount Hope Bay on Route 114. It has been free since tolls ended in 1998. It is a scenic approach if you are coming from the east side of Narragansett Bay.

Sakonnet River Bridge (Route 24)

This bridge links Tiverton with Portsmouth. The current bridge replaced a 1956 span and carries Route 24, the expressway that most drivers coming from Massachusetts, Fall River and Cape Cod use to reach the island. Tolls were collected briefly after it opened, then removed, and it is free now.

Once you are over the water, Routes 114 and 138 are the main roads that tie Portsmouth, Middletown and Newport together, so you can drive the length of the island easily.

Getting to the island from Providence, Boston and New York

• From Providence: It is a straightforward drive, and our guide to getting from Providence to Newport covers the options.
• From Boston: Read how to get from Boston to Newport for driving and public transit choices.
• From New York: Our guide to the earliest train from NYC to Newport explains the rail-plus-connection route, since there is no train station on the island itself.

By ferry or boat

A seasonal Seastreak ferry ran between Providence and Newport in 2026, from June 12 through October 12, with four daily round trips at $12 each way for adults and $6 for children and seniors. That season has ended, and we did not find 2027 dates yet, so check back in spring. A high-speed ferry has also linked Newport and Block Island in summer in past seasons. Both are seasonal and weather dependent, so confirm current schedules with the operators. For on-the-water fun once you arrive, see our guide to Newport boat tours and water activities.

Block Island: a true offshore island

If you want a different island experience, Block Island is the real thing. It sits out in the Atlantic, is not connected by a bridge and belongs to the town of New Shoreham. It is a separate trip from Aquidneck, covered in our guide to how to get to Block Island.

Enjoying the island: beaches and dining

Being on an island means plenty of shoreline. Our Newport RI beaches guide covers where to swim and relax, and for a full meal, start with nice restaurants on Aquidneck Island. If you are still deciding what to see, our overview of things to do in Newport and the Newport trip planner will help you shape the days. You may also like our posts on what Newport is known for and the best time to visit.

Where to stay on Aquidneck Island

Most visitors base themselves in Newport itself. Browse our best hotels in Newport or downtown Newport hotels, or compare a few well-known options.

• Check Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina rates and availability →
• Check Newport Marriott rates and availability →
• Check Hotel Viking rates and availability →

Frequently asked questions

Is Newport, RI on an island?

Yes. Newport sits at the southern end of Aquidneck Island in Narragansett Bay. The island is shared with the towns of Middletown and Portsmouth, and every road into Newport crosses a bridge.

What island is Newport, RI on?

Newport is on Aquidneck Island, the largest island in Narragansett Bay. Aquidneck covers roughly 37.8 square miles and had about 60,000 residents at the 2020 Census, split among Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth.

Is Rhode Island an island?

No. Rhode Island is a mainland state bordered by Massachusetts, Connecticut and the Atlantic Ocean. The name comes from Aquidneck Island, which the English renamed Rhode Island in 1644 before the name spread to the whole colony. The state also includes true islands such as Block Island.

Do you have to cross a bridge to get to Newport, RI?

Yes, if you are driving. The island has three bridge connections: the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge from Jamestown, the Mount Hope Bridge from Bristol and the Sakonnet River Bridge from Tiverton. Seasonal ferries and boats are the other option.

Is there a toll to get to Newport, RI?

Only on the Newport Pell Bridge, which uses all-electronic tolling with no cash lanes. At last check, RITBA listed a Rhode Island resident E-ZPass rate of $0.83, $2.00 per axle for other E-ZPass transponders and $3.00 per axle for bill by mail. The Mount Hope and Sakonnet River bridges are toll-free. Confirm current rates on the RITBA site before you travel.

Is Block Island the same as Aquidneck Island?

No. Aquidneck Island holds Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth and is joined to the mainland by bridges. Block Island is a separate offshore island that is part of Rhode Island and is reached by ferry or small plane.

More Newport guides

• Providence to Newport, RI
• Boston to Newport, RI
• Earliest train from NYC to Newport, RI
• How to get to Block Island
• Newport, RI beaches
• Nice restaurants on Aquidneck Island
• Plan your trip to Newport, RI