There’s nothing better than a day at the beach. Happily, Connecticut has many; however, these beautiful beaches can get quite crowded. So we searched for some hidden gems in The Constitution State — and there are tons! These little-known beaches are definitely underrated, as they offer soft sand, calm waters, and epic sunset views of their own. Switching up your routine and spending a day at one of these little-known beaches could also be the secret to avoiding large crowds! Please keep in mind that some of these beaches may require a fee, so be sure to click on the link for each one to learn more. And now, check out these little-known beaches in Connecticut and plan a little adventure:
- Walnut Beach
Visit Connecticut Walnut Beach boasts pristine, clear-blue waters and stunning shorelines. Besides the endless sea, one can also view the infamous Charles Island from anywhere on the shore.
- Dubois Beach
Terrence Irving/Flickr Dubois Beach is located in Stonington Borough is one of the most scenic towns in the state. So it’s no surprise they have such a beauty for a beach. The shallow waters make it perfect for a family visit, especially with the soft sand and on-site pavilion. Explore the seaside village when you’re done for a day of fun.
- Pear Tree Point Beach
Trover/Google Local This beach is actually two great beaches combined. Come enjoy the eight acre paradise of waterfront views, complete with tables, grills, bath house and more. Since it’s located at the mouth of the Goodwives River, you can also take advantage of the Darien Boat Club.
- White Sands Beach
White Sands Beach, Old Lyme, CT/Facebook White Sands Beach is quite lovely and is home to spectacular views of the Long Island Sound. This spot has a beautiful beach walk with access to the Griswold Point Preserve, making it perfect for summertime explorers. It’s mostly for residents only, but non-residents are free to us the parking lot during the off season. True to its name, the sands here are, in fact, pristine white.
- Clinton Town Beach
Mark Orensteen/Google Local Clinton Town Beach is beach that’s starting to rival its much larger competitors. View the ocean and the docks with the convenience of restrooms, showers, concessions, volleyball courts and more at this small town beach. Cross the bridge over the Hammock River for a fishing escape.
- Lighthouse Point Park
m01229/Flickr This 82-acre park is a place all ages can enjoy. The older folks will appreciate the light house, bird sanctuary, and the beautifully kept antique carousel. But the kids will love swimming in the sound and checking out the splash pad. Everybody wins.
- Jennings Beach
David Steele/Google Local Jennings Beach boasts soft white sand and calm blue waters. Another beauty on the sound, this public beach has an access pier and a food concession area. That means all you have to bring is yourself and a towel for a day in the sun.
- Weed Beach
Visit Connecticut Weed Beach is the perfect spot for thrill seekers who love to be on the water, as this spot is one of the few with a designated wind surfing area. It’s also home to playgrounds and tennis courts. Get the backdrop of the beach while you enjoy other activities at this oasis.
- Eastern Point Beach
ilirjan rrumbullaku/Flickr Eastern Point Beach is a sweet little escape. Located at UConn’s Avery Point campus, this small beach rests at the mouth of the Thames River. Here you’ll find playgrounds, showers and picnic tables, as well as lighthouse views. Walk the edge of the impressive campus for some great sights.
- Milford Point
J J/Flickr The Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point is where you go when you want to enjoy the beach but don’t care for getting wet. The crowd is usually small, but the boardwalk is lovely and you’re almost guaranteed to spot birds since over 300 species live here. Relax and stroll at this panoramic locale.
These little known beaches in Connecticut are a wonderful way to spend a day here in The Constitution State! Where are your favorite beaches in the state? Share them with us in the comments below! And for more beautiful beaches around Connecticut, be sure to check out hidden beaches road trip!
Visit Connecticut
Walnut Beach boasts pristine, clear-blue waters and stunning shorelines. Besides the endless sea, one can also view the infamous Charles Island from anywhere on the shore.
Terrence Irving/Flickr
Dubois Beach is located in Stonington Borough is one of the most scenic towns in the state. So it’s no surprise they have such a beauty for a beach. The shallow waters make it perfect for a family visit, especially with the soft sand and on-site pavilion. Explore the seaside village when you’re done for a day of fun.
Trover/Google Local
This beach is actually two great beaches combined. Come enjoy the eight acre paradise of waterfront views, complete with tables, grills, bath house and more. Since it’s located at the mouth of the Goodwives River, you can also take advantage of the Darien Boat Club.
White Sands Beach, Old Lyme, CT/Facebook
White Sands Beach is quite lovely and is home to spectacular views of the Long Island Sound. This spot has a beautiful beach walk with access to the Griswold Point Preserve, making it perfect for summertime explorers. It’s mostly for residents only, but non-residents are free to us the parking lot during the off season. True to its name, the sands here are, in fact, pristine white.
Mark Orensteen/Google Local
Clinton Town Beach is beach that’s starting to rival its much larger competitors. View the ocean and the docks with the convenience of restrooms, showers, concessions, volleyball courts and more at this small town beach. Cross the bridge over the Hammock River for a fishing escape.
m01229/Flickr
This 82-acre park is a place all ages can enjoy. The older folks will appreciate the light house, bird sanctuary, and the beautifully kept antique carousel. But the kids will love swimming in the sound and checking out the splash pad. Everybody wins.
David Steele/Google Local
Jennings Beach boasts soft white sand and calm blue waters. Another beauty on the sound, this public beach has an access pier and a food concession area. That means all you have to bring is yourself and a towel for a day in the sun.
Visit Connecticut
Weed Beach is the perfect spot for thrill seekers who love to be on the water, as this spot is one of the few with a designated wind surfing area. It’s also home to playgrounds and tennis courts. Get the backdrop of the beach while you enjoy other activities at this oasis.
ilirjan rrumbullaku/Flickr
Eastern Point Beach is a sweet little escape. Located at UConn’s Avery Point campus, this small beach rests at the mouth of the Thames River. Here you’ll find playgrounds, showers and picnic tables, as well as lighthouse views. Walk the edge of the impressive campus for some great sights.
J J/Flickr
The Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point is where you go when you want to enjoy the beach but don’t care for getting wet. The crowd is usually small, but the boardwalk is lovely and you’re almost guaranteed to spot birds since over 300 species live here. Relax and stroll at this panoramic locale.
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Address: Walnut Beach, Milford, CT 06460, USAAddress: DuBois Beach, Dubois Beach, Stonington, CT 06378, USAAddress: Pear Tree Point Beach, Pear Tree Point Rd, Darien, CT 06820, USAAddress: White Sands Beach, Old Lyme, CT 06371, USAAddress: Clinton Town Beach, 96 Waterside Ln, Clinton, CT 06413, USAAddress: Lighthouse Point Park, 2 Lighthouse Rd, New Haven, CT 06512, USAAddress: Weed Beach, Darien, CT 06820, USAAddress: 1 Beach Pond Rd, Groton, CT 06340, USAAddress: 880 S Benson Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824, USAAddress: 1 Milford Point Rd, Milford, CT 06460, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Beaches In Connecticut April 18, 2021 Sarah What are some hidden gem beaches to visit in Connecticut? In terms of hidden gem beaches, Cove Island Park is one of our favorites; you can ride a tram around the island at this 83-acre park and beach. It’s also a great spot for rollerblading with sea views and lounging in soft, white sand. In fact, the number of activities you can do here makes it easy to spend the whole day here – and folks often do. Milford Point Beach is another golden gem; located within the Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center, this spot is perfect for a peaceful stroll. The scenic backdrop of this bird sanctuary is jaw-dropping and this spot is known for being one of the most beautiful beaches in Connecticut. Enjoy the extensive boardwalk and avoid crowds. But keep in mind this spot is for exploring, not swimming. (And if you’re into beach combing, the nearby Silver Stand State Park has incredible seashells!) Are there any white sand beaches Connecticut? Connecticut is often associated with the Long Island Sound, which can mean fairly murky waters and craggy shores. But that’s not always the case. There’s a beach in Mystic Country with Atlantic Ocean access and soft white sand that you need to visit. Ocean Beach Park is often coined as a ‘resort’ destination, but at its core it’s a family friendly beach with options for the whole family. And most notably, Ocean Beach Park boasts soft, white sand that’s perfect for building sand castles, lounging, or getting the perfect tan. It’s so pristine, in fact, that you’re free to wade in without water shoes here, since there are few broken shells or rocks! Does Connecticut have any swimming holes? Taking a dip in a local swimming holes is one of summer’s simplest pleasures, and happily, Connecticut has many. Some of our favorite spots to cool off include Enders Falls, Wadsworth Falls State Park, Indian Well Falls, and Riga Falls. These waterfall swimming holes are as beautiful as they are refreshing!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Beaches In Connecticut
April 18, 2021
Sarah
What are some hidden gem beaches to visit in Connecticut? In terms of hidden gem beaches, Cove Island Park is one of our favorites; you can ride a tram around the island at this 83-acre park and beach. It’s also a great spot for rollerblading with sea views and lounging in soft, white sand. In fact, the number of activities you can do here makes it easy to spend the whole day here – and folks often do. Milford Point Beach is another golden gem; located within the Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center, this spot is perfect for a peaceful stroll. The scenic backdrop of this bird sanctuary is jaw-dropping and this spot is known for being one of the most beautiful beaches in Connecticut. Enjoy the extensive boardwalk and avoid crowds. But keep in mind this spot is for exploring, not swimming. (And if you’re into beach combing, the nearby Silver Stand State Park has incredible seashells!) Are there any white sand beaches Connecticut? Connecticut is often associated with the Long Island Sound, which can mean fairly murky waters and craggy shores. But that’s not always the case. There’s a beach in Mystic Country with Atlantic Ocean access and soft white sand that you need to visit. Ocean Beach Park is often coined as a ‘resort’ destination, but at its core it’s a family friendly beach with options for the whole family. And most notably, Ocean Beach Park boasts soft, white sand that’s perfect for building sand castles, lounging, or getting the perfect tan. It’s so pristine, in fact, that you’re free to wade in without water shoes here, since there are few broken shells or rocks! Does Connecticut have any swimming holes? Taking a dip in a local swimming holes is one of summer’s simplest pleasures, and happily, Connecticut has many. Some of our favorite spots to cool off include Enders Falls, Wadsworth Falls State Park, Indian Well Falls, and Riga Falls. These waterfall swimming holes are as beautiful as they are refreshing!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
In terms of hidden gem beaches, Cove Island Park is one of our favorites; you can ride a tram around the island at this 83-acre park and beach. It’s also a great spot for rollerblading with sea views and lounging in soft, white sand. In fact, the number of activities you can do here makes it easy to spend the whole day here – and folks often do. Milford Point Beach is another golden gem; located within the Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center, this spot is perfect for a peaceful stroll. The scenic backdrop of this bird sanctuary is jaw-dropping and this spot is known for being one of the most beautiful beaches in Connecticut. Enjoy the extensive boardwalk and avoid crowds. But keep in mind this spot is for exploring, not swimming. (And if you’re into beach combing, the nearby Silver Stand State Park has incredible seashells!)
Are there any white sand beaches Connecticut?
Connecticut is often associated with the Long Island Sound, which can mean fairly murky waters and craggy shores. But that’s not always the case. There’s a beach in Mystic Country with Atlantic Ocean access and soft white sand that you need to visit. Ocean Beach Park is often coined as a ‘resort’ destination, but at its core it’s a family friendly beach with options for the whole family. And most notably, Ocean Beach Park boasts soft, white sand that’s perfect for building sand castles, lounging, or getting the perfect tan. It’s so pristine, in fact, that you’re free to wade in without water shoes here, since there are few broken shells or rocks!
Does Connecticut have any swimming holes?
Taking a dip in a local swimming holes is one of summer’s simplest pleasures, and happily, Connecticut has many. Some of our favorite spots to cool off include Enders Falls, Wadsworth Falls State Park, Indian Well Falls, and Riga Falls. These waterfall swimming holes are as beautiful as they are refreshing!
