Rocky Neck State Park – West Beach

Rocky Neck's West Beach is a half-mile crescent of soft, stone-free sand on Long Island Sound, where Long Island and Fishers Island keep the waves small. Swimming is allowed at West Beach only, with state lifeguards in summer and weekly water testing. Out-of-state drivers can save by arriving after 4 p.m., when parking drops to $7.

Directions

Photo: Idawriter · CC BY-SA 3.0

Get your personalized SwimScore

Latest reading · SwimScore 74/100 (Good swim) for a typical swimmer: air 16°C, wind 23 km/h, waves 1.2 m, UV 2. Updated 23 Sept, 22:00 UTC.

Know before you go

Best conditions: Waves are generally tame because Long Island and Fishers Island act as a natural breakwater.
Getting in: Open daily 8 a.m. to sunset; the park has its own exit (72) off I-95. Pets are not allowed on the beach.
Parking & transport: Free for Connecticut-registered vehicles. Out-of-state: $15 weekdays, $22 weekends/holidays, $7 after 4 p.m., $112 season pass.
Lifeguards: State lifeguards staff Rocky Neck from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, with shifts 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; coverage depends on staffing.
Water quality: CT DEEP samples the West Beach swim area weekly from Memorial Day to Labor Day; the Department of Public Health lab tests for indicator bacteria and results are posted in the State Swimming Water Quality Report.
Season: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day for guarded swimming.
Facilities: Restrooms · Accessible beach surf chairs · Boardwalk · Ellie Mitchell Pavilion (1930s WPA stone pavilion) · Campground