There is more than one Westerly Rhode Island Beach for a couple reasons. The town is located at the head of Napatree Point that juts out into Little Narragansett Bay, and marks the border between Rhode Island and Connecticut. This little peninsula is perhaps the most unspoiled section of beach in the state, and is a conservation area important as a migratory shorebird stopover and monarch butterfly refuge in the autumn. This Westerly Beach Rhode Island is completely undeveloped and offers more than a mile of uncrowded pristine sandy coastline and wetlands. But do be prepared for a walk from the two town parking lots with access to this special place.

To get to the Westerly Town Beach itself, you actually need to specify which one you're referring to. There are two. The "old" Westerly Town Beach is restricted to city taxpayers. Therefore, you can access it only in one of two ways. First, you must be visiting as the guest of a resident. A second option is taking advantage of vacation rentals near Westerly Beach that will come with a parking permit. The "new" Westerly Town Beach is open to the general public. It is located next to the town's restricted beach and adjacent to Misquamicut Beach. There are food and beach gear concessions as well as restrooms and changing facilities within the three-acre property. It only has 300 feet of Atlantic coastline, but is nonetheless quite popular because it is an excellent stretch of beach and because there is no fee to access it.

Another reason there is more than one Westerly Beach Rhode Island is because the town (set at the head of the Napatree Point peninsula) is pretty much surrounded on three sides by water. You can head off in almost any direction, and reach a beach or other water access within a very short period of time. The Pawcatuck River flows from the east in South Kingston to the Connecticut border it then turns south and forms Little Narragansett Bay as it empties into Block Island Sound. The river and the bay consequently border the town of Westerly on two sides. There are several marinas, boat launches, and boat ramps (both public and private) along the river. These are centers for the area's boating, and the location for many cruises and fishing charter outfitters. Even the historic River Bend Cemetery has river frontage, and provides both excellent hiking and birding.

Rhode Island Map

The town of Westerly is then bordered on the south by the Atlantic facing beaches. You have several choices for a Westerly Beach Rhode Island along these miles of lovely sandy stretches, with numerous public right of way paths providing access to the sea. Parking facilities at these right of way access points is not always present. Therefore, vacation rentals Near Westerly Beach are excellent opportunities to have both your own private beach access as well as parking for your car rentals. You might also check out some of the Westerly hotels and available Misquamicut beach lodging.

Vacation rentals near Westerly Beach can be right in the center of town, as walking to the beaches is certainly an alternative. You can get to your own little patch of sand within 15 to 30 minutes on foot. Being in town also gives you easy access to the town's many attractions, including Watch Hill Light, one of the state's historic lighthouses, dating to 1806. While the lighthouse itself isn't open to the public, there is a museum chronicling the maritime history of the region and the grounds are open to the public.