How to Plan a Beach Vacation in Rhode Island

The Point Judith Lighthouse

Rhode Island is called The Ocean State for a very good reason. There are no fewer than 22 beautiful beaches along the coast of Rhode Island, so the most difficult part of planning a beach vacation to this tiny destination will be choosing which beach you want to be closest to. Read on to learn how to plan a beach vacation in Rhode Island.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• An Internet connection for planning your trip
• A good map of South County, Rhode Island

1. Start by checking out the website for the South County Tourism Council, which will provide you with a number of cool planning tools for your trip. If you have time, you might want to order a Travel Guide from Visit Rhode Island, the state's tourism council.

2. Narragansett, RI

   Begin looking at beach destinations in the southernmost region of the state, near the border with Connecticut. Rhode Island beach towns begin with Weekapaug, Westerly and Watch Hill, and move north into Charlestown, Matunuck, Point Judith, Galilee, Scarborough and Narragansett. North of Narragansett, the state becomes less of a beach bum's paradise and more suburban.

3. Consider what you want in your beach vacation. If you would like a quiet, peaceful vacation, consider the southernmost communities of Weekapaug, Watch Hill, and Charlestown, picturesque beach communities where summer rentals tend to be on the high side. For more activities and events, try Narragansett, where the beaches are more crowded but where you'll find some great seafood restaurants, movie theaters and outdoor family events. Matunuck, located in the middle, consists of a lot of smaller beach cottages and some campgrounds.

4. Charlestown Beach

   Think also about the type of beach you'd like, because the beaches vary. Family beaches can be found in Narragansett, Scarborough, Point Judith and Matunuck. Slightly heavier surf can usually be found in the southern communities of Charlestown and Westerly. But all of the beaches are beautiful.

5. Speak to some of the local real estate agents about the differences in each community, rental rates, and events and activities. They can often provide you with "inside information" about each community to help you sort out the differences.

6. Remember that this region is compact enough that it's easy to travel from one end of the beach region to another in 15 minutes. If you would like squeeze in a day trip to Newport, you can accomplish that without any fuss. If you wanted to spend the day at a different beach, that isn't a problem either.

7. Be sure to check out the shopping and dining in Watch Hill, a bucolic beachside community with fun clothing and home stores, the oldest carousel in America, and outdoor dining. At Galilee, a fishing port, you can sample some of the freshest seafood on the East Coast or catch the ferry for a day trip to Block Island. You can pick your own blueberries in Charlestown, or watch the surfers navigate the waves in Narragansett. One of the best ways to get a feel for the region is to take a 90-minute cruise of the Narragansett Bay on Rhode Island Bay Cruises.

Resources

• Rhode Island Bay Cruises
• South County Tourism Council
• Rhode Island Tourism Council