Second Beach
4.6(1.5K)google
4.5(111)yelp
SurfingSwimmingFamilyYouth-FriendlySummer RetreatOutdoorOcean ViewLocal FavoriteBeach
Overview
Second Beach, officially designated as Sachuest Beach, is a magnificent, sprawling crescent of soft, pristine sand spanning over a mile along the ocean in Middletown. Known for having significantly larger waves and a more spacious, natural atmosphere than neighboring beaches, it is heavily favored by longboard surfers and boogie boarders. The beach offers family-friendly amenities, including clean modern changing facilities, seasonal concession stands, and a designated campground nearby. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the adjacent Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, making it a peaceful sanctuary for sun, surf, and nature appreciation.
Practical Info
Every day8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-5 hours
Best TimeUniversally celebrated as Middletown's premier crescent-shaped white sandy surfing resort beach, it peaks beautifully in mid-summer from July to August. Arriving at 8:00 AM on a non-holiday weekday morning is highly advised; early natural daylight sparkles flawlessly across the pristine rolling waves, letting you claim premium sand estate close to the dunes before heavy rows form.
Getting ThereSituated in Middletown at 315 Sachuest Point Rd, just north of Sachuest Point. Driving a car is your only practical travel choice given its maritime rural setting: head east out of downtown Newport along Memorial Blvd (RI-138A E), cross past First Beach, and follow the direct coastline markers onto Sachuest Point Rd. The venue features an enormous paid surface lot.
Travel Tips
- From Memorial Day to Labor Day, non-resident vehicle parking entry incurs high-premium peak fees. The toll booths completely refuse cash transactions; you must present a major credit card or face forced turnarounds at the gate.
- The eastern edge near Sachuest Point features complex shifting sandbars driving violent undertows. Swimming is outlawed post-6:00 PM when lifeguards off-clock or during red-flag advisories; boards are restricted to the designated Surf Zone.
- Middletown ordinances strictly forbid all dogs and pets from touching the sand from May 1 to September 30, regardless of leashing. Digging fire pits, beach bonfires, or using open-flame canister stoves is met with steep municipal fines.
Reviews
Positive
- This miles-long beach boasts fine, white sand against the Sachuest headland with clean, rolling surf; a true top family beach in Newport.
- Public facilities are excellent, featuring rinse showers, restrooms, and recycling bins, with heavy morning sweepers doing daily cleanup.
- Lifeguard towers are dense with dutiful staff; dedicated red and yellow flags separate surfing from swimming zones, showing great safety order.
- The beach is surrounded by several massive open-air parking lots with smart driving routes, just a one-minute walk to step on the sand.
Heads up
- Every vehicle demands a steep daily parking fee that carries heavy differential pricing premiums against non-local tourists.
- All safety warnings and changing room signs on the sand are strictly in English, lacking multilingual text, making finding toilets slightly tough.
- The attached snack bar serves poor choices of pricey fries and sodas while blocking mobile web pay, offering low secondary value.
- July and August weekends are crowded head disasters; the sand packs with umbrellas and loud wireless speakers, losing raw tranquility.