Craving a beach day in New Haven? Picture yourself basking in the sun on a warm summer day, the cool ocean breeze in your hair. You’re in luck!
Nestled along the stunning Connecticut shoreline, there are many beautiful beaches near New Haven. Here is our guide to the best beaches in New Haven that are open to the public (and the best public beaches near New Haven).
Get ready for your perfect Connecticut seaside escape!
Best Public Beaches in and near New Haven
Lighthouse Point Park Beach in New Haven, Connecticut
Lighthouse Point Park is one of the best beaches in New Haven. It’s also one of the few places in Connecticut where you can actually get up close to a lighthouse!
Located at the eastern point of Connecticut’s New Haven Harbor, Lighthouse Point Park is the perfect way to spend a nice relaxing summer day.
Admire the historic Connecticut lighthouse (also known as Five Mile Point Light). Relax at the beautiful beach and grab lunch from the concession stand.
Enjoy your lunch at one of the picnic tables in the park. Let the kids splash around the Lighthouse Park splash pad. It’s perfect for cooling off on hot summer days!
There is also a carousel at Lighthouse Point Park, which is a nice break from the beach.
Go bird watching, Lighthouse Point Park is one of the most popular places for bird watching along the East Coast. There is also a fishing pier and public boat launch at Lighthouse Point Park.
Lighthouse Point Park Beach Amenities
- Beach
- Carousel
- Splash Pad
- Concession Stand
- Public Boat Launch
- Pavillions
Lighthouse Point Park Beach Non-Resident Pass
Lighthouse Point Park Beach is open to the public. There is a fee to park at Lighthouse Point Park, non-resident vehicles are charged $25 per day and $30 per day for out-of-state vehicles.
There is no charge to park at Lighthouse Point Park if you drive a registered New Haven vehicle. Check the Lighthouse Point Park site for the most up to date information.
Lighthouse Point Park Beach Address
Lighthouse Point Park Beach is located at 2 Lighthouse Road, New Haven, CT 06512
Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, Connecticut
Hammonasset Beach state park is one of the best beaches near New Haven. Located just 26 minutes from New Haven, Hammonasset Beach is a beautiful beach in Madison, Connecticut.
With over 2 miles of beach, Hammonasset Beach is one of the largest shoreline parks in Connecticut.
Spend the day relaxing on the sandy beach. Enjoy the magnificent views of Long Island Sound as you take a leisurely stroll on the boardwalk.
Hammonasset Beach State Park Amenities
- Beach
- Bathrooms
- Boardwalk
- Car Top Boat Launch
- Concession Stand
- Nature Center
Hammonasset Beach State Park Non-Resident Pass
Non-residents can enter Hammonasset Beach state park. Hammonasset Beach state park non-Resident daily entrance is $22/car per day on weekends before 4pm, $15/car per day on weekdays before 4pm and $7/car per day after 4pm.
Check Hammonasset Beach state park site for the most up-to-date information.
Hammonasset Beach State Park Address
Hammonasset Beach state park is located at 1288 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT. Directions to Hammonasset Beach state park from the west/New York area: take I-95 north, Exit 62. Take a right off the exit and go approximately 1 mile. Go straight through the traffic light crossing Route 1 (Boston Post Road) into the park.
Bradley Point Park in West Haven, Connecticut
Bradley Point Park is one of the best beaches near New Haven. Located just 14 minutes from New Haven, Bradley Point Park is part of West Haven Beaches.
Bradley Point Park is a small sandy beach with a paved boardwalk for bikers and walkers. It’s a wonderful beach for dog walks.
Bradley Point Park offers stunning views of Long Island Sound. It’s also a great place to swim and just relax on the beach.
There is a volleyball net at Bradley Point Park, perfect for impromptu beach volleyball games.
Bradley Point Park is known for its annual 4th of July fireworks display as well as the occasional DJ events and ice cream truck.
Bradley Point Park is a beautifully maintained beach with parking and portable toilets. Despite being a busy spot for walkers and cyclists, it remains a peaceful and scenic place to unwind.
Bradley Point Park Beach Amenities
- Beach
- Boardwalk
- Portable Toilets
- Parking
- Beach Volleyball
Bradley Point Park Beach: Beach Parking
Parking at the Bradley Point Park Beach parking lot is available on a first come first served basis. There are 40 parking spaces at the Bradley Point Park Beach parking lot.
Non-residents can park at Bradley Point Park Beach parking lot for a fee. Non-residents are charged $5 per hour or a daily flat rate of $30, with payment accepted only through credit cards. A seasonal parking pass is also available to nonresidents for a cost of $250.
Beach parking for West Haven residents is free.
Check City of West Haven Beach Parking for the latest information.
Bradley Point Park Beach Address:
Bradley Point Park is located at Captain Thomas Blvd, West Haven, CT.
Directions from West/South: Take I-95 North to Exit 42. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right onto Route 162/Sawmill Road and proceed .7 miles. At the intersection of Main Street and Kelsey Avenue, proceed straight for 1 mile. Next, turn right onto Captain Thomas Boulevard and continue .2 miles. The entrance to Bradley Point Park will be on the left.
Sea Bluff Beach
Sea Bluff Beach is a large, sandy beach in West Haven, Connecticut.
Sea Bluff Beach is a great beach to spend a day sunbathing on the sand or taking a dip in the waters.
There are several volleyball nets at Sea Bluff Beach, perfect for impromptu beach volleyball games!
For those who prefer a more relaxing seaside experience, the beach provides walkways for leisurely strolls along the shoreline.
Sea Bluff Beach Amenities
- Beach
- Parking
- Portable Toilets
Sea Bluff Beach: Beach Parking
Parking at the Sea Bluff Beach parking lot is available on a first-come first served basis.
Non-residents can park at Sea Bluff Beach parking lot for a fee. Non-residents are charged $5 per hour or a daily flat rate of $30, with payment accepted only through credit cards. A seasonal parking pass is also available to nonresidents for a cost of $250.
Beach parking for West Haven residents is free.
Check West Haven Beach Parking for the latest information.
Sea Bluff Beach Address:
Morse Park Beach is located at Captain Thomas Blvd, West Haven, CT.
Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Connecticut
Silver Sands State Park is a beautiful beach in Milford, Connecticut. It is one of the best beaches near New Haven, just a quick 19 minute drive from New Haven!
Spend the day relaxing on the sandy beach. Or take a stroll at the three-quarters of a mile-long all-weather boardwalk.
Silver Sands State Park Beach Amenities
- Beach
- Boardwalk
- Portable Toilets
Silver Sands State Park Beach: Non-Resident Day Pass
Non-residents can spend the day at Silver Sands State Park beach. Silver Sand State Park non-resident daily entrance fee is $22/car per day on weekends and $15/car per day on weekdays.
Check the Silver Sands State Park Beach for the latest information.
Silver Sands State Park Beach Address
Silver Sands State Park Beach is located at Silver Sands Parkway, Milford, CT.
Directions to Silver Sands State Park Beach from I-95: take Exit 35. Follow Schoolhouse Road south to Route 1 (Bridgeport Avenue). Turn left onto Route 1 then right at first light (Silver Sands Park Way). Follow Park Way across Meadowside Road and continue down hill to main parking lot.
Surf Club Park Beach in Madison, CT
Surf Club Park Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches near New Haven.
Located just 24 minutes away from New Haven, Surf Club Park Beach is a 45 acre park on beautiful Long Island Sound with 1200 feet of sandy beachfront.
There are a lot of amenities at Surf Club Park Beach- basketball courts, bocce courts, horseshoe pits, sand volleyball courts and athletic fields.
There is also a boating area for sailboats and kayaks. If you need a break from the beach, you can bring the kids to the playground.
Grab lunch at the concession stand, M&J Beach Grille and Seafood Seafood Shack on the beach. You will feel like you are on vacation as you walk up to the beachfront take out counter with picnic tables and tiki umbrellas on the sand.
Order New England seafood favorites like fish and chips, fried shrimp, fried clam strips and lobster rolls.
Surf Club Park Beach Amenities
- Picnic area with tables and grills
- Playground
- Bocce Courts
- Horseshoe pits
- Sand volleyball courts
- Basketball courts
- Athletic fields
- Seasonal concession stand
- Boating area for sailboats and kayaks
Surf Club Park Non-Resident Beach Pass
Surf Club Park is a Connecticut beach open to the general public, including non-residents. Non-resident beach passes can be purchased at Surf Club Park. Weekdays non-resident beach pass (Monday-Thursday) is $25 and Weekend non-resident beach pass (Friday-Sunday) is $40. The number of non-resident beach passes are limited on weekends and Holidays.
Surf Club Park Address
Surf Club Park is located at Surf Club Rd., Madison, CT 06443. From I-95 North, Take exit 61, Continue on CT-79 S/Durham Rd. Take Boston Post Rd to Surf Club Rd.
Are Connecticut Beaches Open to the Public (Non-Residents)?
Most beaches in Connecticut are open to the public. Non-residents can purchase beach passes and parking passes to gain access to Connecticut beaches. However, some towns make it difficult for non-residents to gain access to their beaches.
As a non-resident, you can access Connecticut beaches by purchasing non-resident beach passes and non-resident parking passes.
It does take some advance planning for non-residents to buy beach passes and parking passes. In many Connecticut beaches, there are restrictions in place for non-resident beach passes.
For example, some Connecticut beaches have a maximum daily limit of non-resident beach passes sold per day.
While other Connecticut towns make the logistics of buying non-resident beach passes and parking passes inconvenient since you can’t buy beach passes at the beach entrance.
Also, many of the non-resident beach passes are very expensive.
If you are looking for non-resident-friendly Connecticut beaches, I recommend visiting the beaches located in Connecticut State Parks such as Silver Sands State Park and Hammonasset Beach state park.
Connecticut State Park beaches are more accessible to non-residents since it’s easy to buy beach passes. Plus the non-resident beach pass pricing is more reasonable.
You May Also Be Interested In:
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