7 Reasons Connecticut Has the Best Beaches in the U.S.

While Connecticut is one of the USA’s smallest states, it prides itself on the 250 miles of breathtaking coastline along the Long Island Sound. But, the gorgeous shoreline is not the state’s only charming feature. The beaches are accompanied by quaint seaside towns, stunning scenery, and historic landmarks. Connecticuts shorelines offer relaxing getaways, family-friendly activities, and adventure. But there’s so much more! Here are 7 Reasons Connecticut Has the Best Beaches in the U.S.

1. Climate

Summer is one of the best times to visit Connecticut, especially if you want to spend your time outdoors. The climate during summer is hot and humid, with temperatures in the Upper 80s throughout July and August. However, the best months to visit the state’s beaches are early June or September, as the weather is pleasant and there are very few tourists. Ocean Beach Park in New London is one of the best beaches to visit during these months. This beach is unique as it is where the Long Island Sound meets the Atlantic Ocean. Furthermore, Ocean Beach Park’s half-mile shoreline provides plenty of space for visitors to spread out.

2. Sand

Connecticut has a variety of beaches, including pocket beaches, sandy barrier spits, gravel, cobble, bedrock, and boulders. But, there are plenty of beaches with soft white sand, which is one of the reasons Connecticut has the best beaches in the U.S. However, there is one beach that stands out above the rest when it comes to sand. Hammonasset Beach is notorious for its pink sand, which is visible throughout the year. It is a natural occurrence caused by sediment called garnet. Visitors can find this sand on the west side of the park.

3. Wildlife

One of the reasons Connecticut has the best beaches is the wildlife. The state’s beaches are home to numerous species, both aquatic and land animals. For example, Hammonasset Beach State Park boasts birds of prey like hawks, osprey, eagles, and many shorebird species. Furthermore, visitors may spot a coyote, white-tailed deer, or red fox around the beach. Hammonasset Beach State Park also offers guests the opportunity to learn about the local wildlife at the Meigs Point Nature Center.

Another popular beach for wildlife encounters is Milford Silver Sands State Park. This park is well-known for its shorebirds, especially the piping plover, which is endangered. As a result, birdwatchers flock to this beach for the chance to spot one of these rare beauties. Additionally, the beach is also home to seals and other marine animals.

Lastly, the East Lyme Rocky Neck State Park is notorious for the different bird species that inhabit the area, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers. Birds of prey that inhabit the park include bald eagles and ospreys. Other wildlife in the area include deer, red foxes, and other marine species.

4. Scenery

Connecticut’s scenery differs from beach to beach, but if you are a nature lover looking for a beautiful place to swim or hike, the beach at Silver Sands State Park will check all your boxes. When walking from the parking lot, you cross a 200-foot raised boardwalk across Fletchers Creek and salt marshes to the beach. The beach itself offers broad sand flats, tidal marches, and a connection to Charles Island. If you visit the beach at low tide, you can cross a shelly sandbar to Charles Island from the mainland. However, be cautious, as you can get stuck on the island during high tide, so ensure you check the tide schedule before crossing.

5. Water Temperature

While water temperature will vary depending on where you are in the state, summer sea temperatures in Connecticut usually average 69 degrees Fahrenheit. Beaches in the state border the Long Island Sound, which separates Connecticut from Long Island. As mentioned above, Ocean Beach Park is one of the most popular beaches in the state and offers visitors a great place to swim and relax. However, other beaches worth noting include:

• DuBois Beach
• Morse Beach
• Misquamicut State Beach
• Hammonasset Beach State Park

However, Silver Sands State Park has the reputation of having the warmest water in the state. Furthermore, it was ranked in the top ten beaches in New England for its remote coastal feel. In addition, the beach is generally quiet, and the sand is incredibly clean. As a result, this beach is the ideal place to avoid crowded beaches.

6. Safety

Connecticut has the best beaches in the U.S. because of its safety standards. For example, local beaches use several tools to ensure beachgoers’ safety while in the water. Firstly, they utilize signs to warn people of potential danger. When swimming at West Haven’s Sea Bluff Beach is unsafe, lifeguards put signs in the sand to let people know swimming is off limits.

The lifeguards at Silver Sands Beach use flags to warn people about swimming conditions. These flags work like stoplights. For example, when they fly green flags, it means the water is safe for swimming. A yellow flag means there is cause for concern, and a red flag indicates that swimming is forbidden.

Lastly, because Connecticut borders the Long Island Sound and not the ocean, its waters are much safer than Rhode Island and Massachusetts when it comes to dangerous marine life. Swimming at Rhode Island and Massachusetts beaches exposes you to animals like sharks, Portugues man-of-war, and jellyfish. So, if you ever see a purple flag at one of these beaches, it means there’s something dangerous in the water. Currently, Connecticut does not use a purple flag because there are no aquatic animals that pose a threat to humans.

7. Access

Most Connecticut beaches are accessible by car, with parking lots, boardwalks, and bicycle paths for visitors’ convenience. But there is so much more! One of the reasons Connecticut beaches are the best beaches in the U.S. is because they are inclusive. Many of the beaches in Connecticut cater to an array of people, so they are wheelchair friendly, family friendly, and senior friendly. The state wants everyone to enjoy its beautiful beaches, so five state parks provide free wheelchairs to guests on a first-come-first-serve basis; they include:

• Rocky Neck
• Hammonasset Beach
• Silver Sands
• Sherwood Island
• Squantz Pond

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Laura Stubbs/Shutterstock.com