What is RI's best beach? Vote in Round 1 of our bracket to determine the top spot
The forecast is calling for a perfect beach day, so you pack the cooler, decide you're going to pick up sandwiches along the way and dust off the beach chairs.
But where are you going?
Are you looking for the best waves? A quiet spot with as few people as possible? Are bathrooms or a snack bar a must? Maybe you want to gaze at Taylor Swift's Watch Hill home and hope to catch a glimpse of someone famous.
In a state with 400 miles of shoreline, there are plenty of places to choose from, but which is Rhode Island's best beach?
We've picked 16 ocean beaches – we know some favorites didn't make the list – that are among the state's most popular and placed them in a bracket to find out which one is Rhode Island's favorite place to catch some rays, smell the salt air and frolic in the surf.
First round voting will be open until noon on Sunday, June 16.
Misquamicut State Beach vs. Roger Wheeler State Beach
Misquamicut State Beach
Westerly
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Gates close at sunset.
Amenities: restrooms, outdoor showers, wheelchair accessibility, large parking lot, playground, food and gift concessions, composting toilets, lifeguard tower and shade gazebos.
Parking rate: Click here for full information
Roger Wheeler State Beach
Narragansett
Hour: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Gates close at sunset.
Amenities: restrooms, outdoor showers, wheelchair accessibility, large parking lot, playground, food and gift concessions, lifeguard tower, shade gazebos and Naturalist area.
Parking rates: Click here for full information
Salty Brine State Beach vs. Easton's Beach
Salty Brine State Beach
Narragansett
Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday and 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Gates close at sunset.
Amenities: lifeguard tower, coin-operated hot showers powered by solar hot water panels, public restrooms, wheelchair accessibility, food concessions, and a boardwalk along the jetty with overlook platforms, picnic tables and shade gazebo.
Parking rates: Click here for full information
Easton’s Beach
Newport
Hours: Services available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Amenities: Lifeguards, food concessions, restrooms.
(Note: Due to work on beach facilities some amenities may not be available in 2024.)
Parking rates: Click here for full information
Second Beach vs. Blue Shutters
Second Beach
Middletown
Hours: Beach is open dawn to dusk
Amenities: Concession stand, bathrooms, changing area, showers, grills, picnic tables, and shade structures located at the main building. Port-a-johns are located at the base of each pathway. Surfboard rentals and lessons are available during the season as well as a Del's Lemonade truck. Showers can be found at Surfer's End (on the west end).
Parking rates: Click here for full information
Blue Shutters
Charlestown
Hours: Parking lot closes at 5 p.m.
Amenities: Lifeguards, cold water rinsing stations, restrooms, changing rooms
Parking rates: Resident, non-resident and cottage parking passes allowed Click here for full information
Mohegan Bluffs vs. East Beach - Westerly
Mohegan Bluffs
New Shoreham
Hours: None
Amenities: None
Parking rates: Free
East Beach - Westerly
Westerly
Hours: None listed
Parking rates: Paid parking is available in a lot on Larkin Road
Amenities: None
Scarborough State Beach vs. Charlestown Town Beach
Scarborough State Beach
Narragansett
Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday - Friday and 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Gates close at sunset.
Amenities: restrooms, outdoor showers, wheelchair accessibility, large parking lot with overflow lot, food and gift concessions, lifeguard tower, and several shade gazebos
Parking rates: Click here for full information
Charlestown Town Beach
Charlestown
Parking: Lot closes at 5 p.m. and is restricted to resident parking passes and cottage passes only
Amenities: Lifeguards, cold water rinsing stations, restrooms, changing rooms
Parking rates: Click here for full information
Narragansett Town Beach vs. Fred Benson Town Beach
Narragansett Town Beach
Narragansett
Hours: 8:30 a.m. through 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7:30 a.m. through 5 p.m. weekends and holidays (lifeguards will be on duty until 6 p.m.), unless otherwise noted by beach management, due to weather or other conditions. Restrooms only will be available until 6 p.m.
Amenities: food concessions, restrooms, first-aid office, surfing area
Parking and admission rates: Click here for full information
Fred Benson Town Beach
New Shoreham
Hours: Services available 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Amenities: Lifeguards, beach pavilion offering showers, restrooms, a changing room with lockers and food and supply concessions.
Parking rates: Free
Mackerel Cove vs. South Shore
Mackerel Cove
Jamestown
Hours: Service available 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Amenities: Lifeguard, restrooms
Parking rates: Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis at a rate of $15 per car, per day.
South Shore Beach
Little Compton
Hours: Services are available until 5 p.m.
Amenities: Lifeguards, food and beverage vendors, port-a-jons
Parking rates: $25 on weekends and holidays; $20 on weekdays
East Matunuck State Beach vs. Gooseberry Beach
East Matunuck State Beach
South Kingstown
Parking: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday - Friday and 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Gates close at sunset.
Amenities: restrooms, outdoor showers, wheelchair accessibility, large parking lot, food and gift concessions, composting toilets, lifeguard tower, and shade gazebos.
Parking rates: Click here for full information
Gooseberry Beach
Newport
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Amenities: Lifeguards, snack bar
Parking rates: The beach is open to the public, however walk-on access is prohibited. You must arrive by bike, scooter or purchase a daily pass to park and arrive by car. Daily passes are for sale on gooseberrybeach.com for $30 + tax and must be purchased in advance.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Best beach in RI: Vote in Round 1 of our bracket to determine the top spot
