New England Beaches

New England beaches offer quiet nature sanctuaries, rowdy boardwalks, great surf breaks, lively fishing spots, wildlife filled marshes and miles upon miles of sandy shorelines for walking, wading, swimming and sand castle building. These beaches are filled with history and adventure. The Mayflower first sighted land off Coast Guard Beach in 1620. During the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 the British fought battles and skirmishes with Americans all along New England's coastline. Captain Kidd is rumored to have buried treasure on an island in Cape Cod's Pleasant Bay.

Connecticut beaches run beside the protected waters of Long Island Sound. These beaches offer great fishing, swimming and all types of sailing. Kayakers and birders will enjoy the abundant marshes. Beyond the beaches there is Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport. The Aquarium offers visitors exhibits on the Titanic and sea creatures from around the world. At the Seaport visitors walk through a replica 19th century New England waterfront village while viewing an outstanding collection of antique ships and boats. One of the highlights of the seaport is the Charles W. Morgan, a whaler launched in 1841, ten years before the publication of Moby Dick.

Rhode Island beaches offer fantastic variety for surfing, sailing kayaking and fishing. There are numerous point breaks and beach breaks, from Misquamicut to Little Compton, that receive regular swell in the summertime. Kayakers will enjoy exploring the coastlines of Narragansett Bay and the Sakonnet River. Sailing is a serious pursuit in Rhode Island. Every two years the Storm Trysail Club hosts Block Island Race Week, a huge regatta attended by racing yachts from all over New England. Newport is renowned in yachting circles across the globe.

Massachusetts offers two of the most famous islands east of Hawaii: Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Both islands and mainland offer something for everyone. Along the south shore of Cape Cod summertime water temperatures in Nantucket Sound reach into the 70’s. Protected from waves, Nantucket Sound beaches are great for kids. Fishing is popular everywhere in Massachusetts. In the Fall, striped bass are passionately sought by surf casters and boaters alike. The Cape Cod National Seashore incorporates 40 miles of undeveloped coastline along the Atlantic. North of Boston, from Cape Ann to Newburyport are breathtakingly beautiful beaches including Crane Beach and Plum Island.

New Hampshire packs tremendous variety into the 18 mile Seacoast that runs from the Merrimack River to Portsmouth. New Hampshire beaches regularly enjoy good surf for wave sports. The town of Portsmouth is one of the jewels of New England with great shopping, fine restaurants and Sandy Beach just ten minutes away. Inland New Hampshire abounds with lakes. 72 square mile Lake Winnipesauke, offers nice beaches at Tuftonboro.

Maine’s complex coastline offers beaches in each region. The South Coast features wide white sand beaches separated by beautiful rocky points. Old Orchard Beach is a stop on the Professional Beach Volleyball Tour with seven miles of sand, surf, food, games and entertainment next to the shore. Classic wooden schooners gather in Camden’s mid-coast harbor for Windjammer Weekend at the end of August. Sand Beach at Acadia National Park offers spectacular scenery just outside the tourist Mecca of Bar Harbor. Beyond the beach Maine offers hundreds of beautiful lakes, many with beaches.

Vermont’s lakes offer beaches throughout the state from Prouty Beach at Lake Memphremagog in the north to Lake Shaftsbury in the south. Lake Memphremagaog is reputed to eb the home of a sea monster called Memphre - the last sighting was in 2003. The most popular beaches lie along the shores of Lake Champlain. Lake beaches are more intimate than ocean beaches and often feature nearby campsites shaded by trees.

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