New England is blessed with some of the most picturesque white sand ocean beaches in the country. Here are some of Narragansett Beer’s (and Clammie’s) favorites:
Warmest Water
Silver Sands State Park,
Milford, Connecticut
Clammie Says: "Legend has it the famous pirate Captain Kidd might have buried his treasure on Charles Island which is just off the shore in Silver Sands."
Best Walk
Napatree Point,
Watch Hill, Rhode Island
Clammie Says: "A long, wild strip of coastline with great views!"
Best Kayaking
Old Garden Beach
Rockport, Maine
Clammie Says: "Easy kayak access from the beach and a pleasant paddle for beginners. You might even be joined by some seals and lobstermen."
Best for Solitude
Mohegan Bluffs,
Block Island, Rhode Island
Clammie Says: "It’s not very easy to get to, but the majestic surrounding cliffs and privacy make it worth the trip"
Best Sand
Coast Guard Beach,
Eastham, Massachusetts
Clammie Says: "This is no flat beach, but one that climbs to the dunes sand piled high, soft and warm to the touch"
Most Scenic
Aquinnah Public Beach
(formerly Moshup Beach),
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Clammie Says: "Aquinnah Cliffs provide a dramatic backdrop of reds, greens, yellows, and whites, which becomes even more striking at sunset"
Best Surfing
Narragansett Town Beach,
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Clammie Says: "The crescent shaped beach and shifting sand bars often produce waves in excess of 10 feet"
Best Freshwater Beach
Lake Willoughby
Westmore, Vermont
Clammie says: "Two majestic granite cliffs, Mounts Hor and Pisgah face each other from opposite sides of the lake creating a beautiful land-locked fjord"
Best Bird-Watching
Odiorne Point State Park,
Rye, New Hampshire
Clammie Says; "The longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in the state makes this a popular stop for migratory birds along the Atlantic Flyway"
Best Beach for Avoiding Crowds
Footbridge Beach,
Ogunquit, Maine
Clammie Says: "This section of the Ogunquit shoreline is far less congested and offers the perfect 2 mile walk back to town"
Best Sunsets
Menemsha Beach
Martha’s Vineyard, MA
Clammie Says: "With rocky jetties, fishing docks, nearly still water, and frequently pink skies, this beach is as photogenic as it is friendly."
Best Honky-Tonk
Old Orchard Beach,
Old Orchard, Maine
Clammie Says: "You name it and this 7-mile strip of beach has it...small amusement parks, miniature golf, carousels, arcades, cotton candy, fried dough, fudge & taffy. Leave your diet at home!"
Best Live Music
Cahoon Hollow Beach
Wellfleet, MA
Clammie Says: "The Beachcomber shakes every night atarting around 10pm with rock, ska, reggae, & rock-a-billy. Grab a Gansett and enjoy!"
Best for Dogs
Duxbury Beach
Duxbury, MA
Clammie Says: "Don’t forget to stop by town hall to get your permit, and remember that the early dog gets the parking."
With acknowledgement to Yankee Magazine & Boston.com.