2nd Beach (Sachuest Beach) Spot Guide

The most consistent summertime wave in Rhode Island is actually located in Middletown, just a skip away from Newport. Surfers from all over New England rely on Second Beach to provide relief from the summer doldrums. It often has good shape and the cliffs on the west side of the beach provide some protection from prevailing southwest winds. First Beach, just to the south, is another fun beachbreak -- while smaller than Second Beach on a south swell, it has more luck with surf from the east. Occasionally, the bay fills with tremendous amounts of red seaweed that can make surfing unpleasant at both beaches.

Newport has other, lesser-known breaks that come alive on good swells. They're hard to find, and you won't find a red carpet waiting for you if you do find them. Your best bet is to get in with a local and hope he/she will escort you to the show.

Tourists flock to Newport from June through September, jamming the streets and covering the beaches. With so much to see and do, don't be afraid to pull up your socks, break out the Nikon and dive into the fray.

Access to the Newport beaches is easy during the off-season and a huge hassle during the summer. The traffic that accompanies the Newport tourist season can be a nightmare, second only to Cape Cod. Even paid parking can be hard to find on a summer weekend. Surf checks are easily made from the road, and the walks from the paid parking lots to the surf areas are not that long.

The most popular spot on any given day, Second Beach is the hangout until a major swell pulls the action to the points. On any hint of south swell, the punchy beachbreak is infested with middle-aged longboarders and teenage whippersnappers. Drawbacks include crowds and the occasional stinky red seaweed attack.