Coastal bliss awaits: Experience the magic of New England’s beaches

Rhode Island’s beaches beneath Mohegan Bluffs on Block Island evoke a Pacific Coast feel.(Katherine Gendreau)

Nothing compares to the rugged New England coastline, and there’s no better way for families to enjoy the waterfront than by exploring one the region’s signature beaches. Here are five worth checking out.

Coast Guard Beach, Eastham, Mass.

Steer your car — or bicycle — into the Cape Cod National Seashore park entrance and you will have access to six National Seashore beaches, including Coast Guard Beach. This back side of Cape Cod looks out into a graveyard of waters where more than 3,000 shipwrecks have met their final resting places. Once there, be sure to check out Nauset Marsh behind the former Coast Guard Station, walk out onto Nauset Spit barrier beach, peep for nesting plovers and terns, and scan the sandbars for the numerous harbor and gray seals that treasure the summer respite. nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/coast-guard-beach-eastham.htm 

Mohegan Bluffs Beach, Block Island, R.I.

View the open waters from the top or descend 141 steps to the base of the 150-foot tall Mohegan Bluffs. Either way, this secluded Block Island beach treasure provides one of the most spectacular oceanside vistas in all of New England. Once on the beach, enjoy as much of the meandering, 6-plus mile out-and-back walk along the Mohegan Bluffs Trail, a beach walk like none other. Public ferries run from various locations along the mainland shores in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Long Island, N.Y. blockislandinfo.com

Sand Beach, Bar Harbor, Maine

Tucked between the mountains and jagged shoreline that define Acadia National Park’s eastern flank on Mount Desert Island, Sand Beach offers a 300-yard sand and crushed shell surface with views into the Atlantic Ocean’s Newport Cove. Be prepared for chilly waters and dramatic tide swings. Don’t leave before hiking the looping Great Head Trail, which rewards with elevated views of the beach and The Beehive, the steep glacial formation geologists classify as a classic roche moutonnee. nps.gov/thingstodo/swim-sand-beach.htm

Hampton Beach, Hampton, N.H.

For families seeking a little more action associated with their beach visit, Hampton Beach delivers. The state park fronts the Atlantic Ocean with miles of sandy beaches and access to swimming, fishing, picnicking and campsites with full hook-ups available. Additionally, the famous boardwalk scene comes alive both day and night with shops, restaurants, arcades and live music. hamptonbeach.org 

Hammonasset Beach, Madison, Conn.

Open for more than 100 years, Hammonasset Beach State Park — the state’s largest shoreline park — attracts more than 3 million visitors annually for special activities and views looking out to Long Island Sound. Besides two miles of beach, the park features wetlands and woodlands to explore. Plan a day trip or extend your stay in one of several on-site rustic cabins or 550 grassy campsites. portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Hammonasset-Beach-State-Park