Photo: Carolyn Abrams
Photo: Donald Spring
Photo: Sanghee Lee
Second Beach
★4.6(1,513 reviews)FreeActivity
🕑 4-6 hours👶 Best for ages 3 and up. Toddlers and preschoolers love playing in the sand and gentle shoreline waves, while school-aged kids and teens get a thrill from boogie boarding and body surfing in the excellent wave conditions.🧡 Saved by 41 families
About
Second Beach is a quintessential New England beach destination that families absolutely adore, boasting soft sand, lifeguard supervision, and gentle-to-moderate waves perfect for boogie boarding adventures. With rental facilities on-site and a spacious shoreline that rarely feels overcrowded, parents can relax while kids play in the surf, build sandcastles, or splash in the shallows along this scenic stretch of Newport coastline.
Highlights
- ✓Excellent boogie boarding waves that kids find thrilling but parents find manageable
- ✓Lifeguard supervision throughout the beach during operating hours
- ✓Beautiful soft sand perfect for castle building and beach games
- ✓On-site rental facilities for chairs, umbrellas, and boogie boards
- ✓Spacious beach layout with room for families to spread out
Pro Tips
- 1.Arrive before 10:00 AM to snag the best parking spots close to the beach entrance and beat the midday crowds, especially on weekends
- 2.Rent boogie boards and beach chairs from the on-site facilities rather than hauling your own - it makes the trip much easier with kids in tow
- 3.Bring water shoes as the walk from parking to sand can be hot, and they're helpful for kids exploring the rocky areas at low tide
- 4.Pack plenty of sunscreen and reapply often - the ocean breeze can be deceiving and kids burn quickly
- 5.The west end of the beach tends to be calmer for younger children, while older kids prefer the better waves toward the center
Best Time to Visit
Visit on weekday mornings during July and August for the warmest water and best lifeguard coverage, but without the weekend crowds. Arrive between 8:00-9:30 AM for easiest parking and more beach space.
What to Know
There is a parking fee during summer season (typically $20-30 per day for non-residents). Facilities include restrooms, outdoor showers, and a snack bar, though many families bring their own coolers and beach gear.
Seasonal Notes
Second Beach operates as a guarded beach from mid-June through Labor Day, with the listed hours applying during summer season. Outside of summer, the beach is accessible but without lifeguards or facilities, and parking is typically free but unmanaged.
Nearby Eats
The Hungry Monkey (kid-friendly gastropub with a children's menu about 5 minutes away) and Flo's Clam Shack (classic Rhode Island seafood spot serving clam cakes and chowder, perfect for a post-beach meal)
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