best beach in CT

[Ratso]

summer jersey beaches are crazy
i’ve been to the new haven & milford beaches never got that vibe
what are the best CT spots?

 

[8893]

No waves = no vibe.

I have lived on the CT shore almost all of my life and I still don’t consider it to be real “beach.” I only swim at ocean beaches.

If it’s a scene you want, Rocky Neck or Hammonasset.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Misquamicut.

Yes, I know it's in RI.

 

[XLCenterFan]

None...go to RI.

 

[huskymedic]

OT: Any good CT beach suggestions?

I am going to have a lot of time on my hands this summer and am unfamiliar with many of the CT beaches. I was hoping for some suggestions. My 2 biggest things would be parking and some space to socially distance. I have been to Crescent Beach and McCook in Niantic (relatives live there) and...

the-boneyard.com

 

[Deepster]

The best beach in CT is Misquamicut. I wouldn't set foot in Long Island Sound if I were engulfed in flames. It's poop water.

 

[Ratso]

i went to misqushit as a kid in the early 90s , they didn’t like brown ppl

 

[Ts5034]

None...go to RI.

I never go to any of the CT beaches either. Its a lot more worth your time to drive the extra distance and go to Rhode Island. Misquamicut is nice, but it gets way to crowded on the weekends. Watch Hill is nice as well. But, my favorite is Matunuck. A nice summer Saturday for me is spending a few hours at the Matunuck beach, then eating dinner at Matunuck oyster bar.

 

[Ratso]

there’s no AC north of nyc. that’s the problem. small town beaches =small town mentality

 

[Chin Diesel]

But, let's be honest. CT has some of the best lobster's roll sandwiches overlooking crappy shoreline.

 

[superjohn]

NJ, Cape, Nantucket, MV, RI.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

summer jersey beaches are crazy
i’ve been to the new haven & milford beaches never got that vibe
what are the best CT spots?

Now is the best time for swimming. That will last til mid October. Best water is in eastern Ct. Start in Waterford and work east to the RI line. The only one I would not recommend is Esker Point in the Noank/Groton Long Point section of Groton. There is also Bushy Point that can be accessed through Bluff Point State Park in town . Somewhat rocky but improves the more you walk west and there is also the Pequonnock River side. The water is clean but there are no amenities.

 

[XLCenterFan]

i went to misqushit as a kid in the early 90s , they didn’t like brown ppl

I go there a bunch. It’s a lot more diverse now, which I really like. Check it out next summer. I feel like there’s no more beach days in the forecast.

 

[mauconnfan]

I never go to any of the CT beaches either. Its a lot more worth your time to drive the extra distance and go to Rhode Island. Misquamicut is nice, but it gets way to crowded on the weekends. Watch Hill is nice as well. But, my favorite is Matunuck. A nice summer Saturday for me is spending a few hours at the Matunuck beach, then eating dinner at Matunuck oyster bar.

Also known as South Kingstown Beach....Ts5034 just provides you a very good plan for a day. Maybe an outdoor cocktail at the Pub or Ocean Mist before you head to the Oyster Bar

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Also known as South Kingstown Beach....Ts5034 just provides you a very good plan for a day. Maybe an outdoor cocktail at the Pub or Ocean Mist before you head to the Oyster Bar

Use to love drinking at Ocean Mist. Also The Ocean House when it was a dump. Remember when places served complimentary salted nuts at the bar?

 

[CTBasketball]

Misquamicut if you want to booze and party.

Newport 1st beach sometimes turns into a BYOB booze fest.

I go to Naragansett to surf, if you have a family it looks like a solid beach day spot.

Matunuck or anything by there just go O Mist if you want to booze just don’t fall off the deck.

If the waves are firing don’t go to the beach at all leave that for me

 

[upstater]

i went to misqushit as a kid in the early 90s , they didn’t like brown ppl

Things might have changed. I just got back 2 weeks ago and there are people of many different colors hving no problems--from what I can tell.

 

[upstater]

Conn. beaches are up and down. Hammonasset went from being mucky in the 80s to relatively clean in the 90s, back to mucky now in the last decade, & they don't allow the kids to boogie board.

My kids like Misquamicut a lot for the waves, but I've always been partial to places like Napatree in RI and also Blue Shutters Beach (but you have to get there by 9:30 to find a spot in the parking lot). Napatree parking is a paint to as it will cost you plenty ($30) but it's conveniently located so you can leave your car all day, have drinks in the little town, head back to the beach, etc.

 

[Husky25]

This is like asking which restaurant makes the best American Chinese food. Some are better than others, but none are great.

The best CT beaches are in RI.

 

[BigEastCT]

Best beach although private is old colony beach....visit friends best beach in CT by far

 

[XLCenterFan]

Watch Hill has always had the biggest waves when I’ve gone to the RI shore. I love to boogeyboard some 4-8 foot waves. No restaurants on the water and the parking can fill up quick.

Misquamicut has the best food/drink options, and never runs out of parking.

Narragansett has a good mix of everything, but you have to pay to get on the sand. And you have to hide the beers to bring em in.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Funny I didn’t open the thread because I planned to answer none of them (even though I haven’t been to one since the 80s). And you all did me proud. I will stick to Old Silver in Falmouth. Love the sunsets.

Best beach for your enemies, Race Point.

 

[Excalibur]

The CT shoreline is pretty and scenic, but the beaches aren't great. Water is a lot cleaner than it was, though.

If you're looking for a vibe, Sound View in East Lyme is probably the best bet. The most scenic beach is Waterford Beach.

But really, if you want to go to the beach, drive to RI.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Tod's Point in Old Greenwich opens to the public on November 1st and dogs are allowed during that time too.

Beautiful to walk in the autumn and winter. It’s on a peninsula so miles of shoreline and acres of wooded trails, even stone ruins of an old mansion to walk through. Great views of lower Manhattan.

 

[sledog]

Ocean Beach in New London. Over 1/2 mile boardwalk, and very wide beach (water to boardwalk). Sand is sifted every night.

ocean beach ew london - Yahoo Image Search Results

 

[bendm]

Best beach for your enemies, Race Point.

would sooner drink the water from Long Island Sound than go swimming anywhere off Mass

 

[gtcam]

Madison town beach - East Wharf is fine
The Sound is a hell of a lot cleaner than in the 80's
Comparing the Sound vs the Atlantic Ocean is like apples and oranges

 

[Coach McGurk]

I like calf pasture in Norwalk because of the islands off shore...makes it feel like a lagoon. Bluff pt has a nice stretch but you’ll have to walk almost a mile to get there.....my favorite RI beach is 2nd beach just past Newport. Reminds me of a New Jersey beach. But I love VA beach if you’re up for a 7 hr drive. BIG waves, no shells, no seaweed. Just a sonic boom every 20 min or so...

 

[jdb50]

The beach at Bluff Point SP in Groton is nice but it is a mile from the parking lot. Walk or better yet bike to the end of the main road from the parking lots and walk west. Close to RI so the water is clean. Not many people.
Rocky Neck is nice on non sold out days.

 

[JohnFSilver]

Not great waves. So if you are a surfer not for you. I think the sound has gotten incredibly cleaner since I was a kid. Really really nice.

We spend a lot of time at family home (not my direct) in Milford. i got addicted to private beaches.
If you have a friend with access to a private beach, you will love it.