East Matunuck State Beach — Attraction in South Kingstown

Let’s get the ‘Why four stars?’ out of they ways. On the day that we went (07.29.2025) it was an ocean of red seaweed. We don’t appreciate the red seaweed much, once it got on your swimsuit it is difficult to wash off.

We managed to find one spot out of the whole mile long stretch of beach where there is less red seaweed, even so, there was really no escaping from those pesky weeds.

The place is beautiful. The sunset is amazing. The facility is clean, clean, clean.

Two outdoor cold water showers to your heart content. Men and women bathroom. A row of portable bathroom along the west side of the service building. Unlike other beach in Rhode Island there are no portable bathroom along the sand dunes where the entrance to the beach resides.

You can somewhat have your choice of sand. Right at the service facility as you first step on the beach are red more coarse sand that are probably brought in from other locations. Then the nice white soft sand.

There are plenty of nice white soft sand in the northern part of the beach. The rest of the beach starting from the sand dune towards the water is pretty much rock than sand than rock and really nice soft sand as you are deep into the ocean.

We heard of a coin operated hot shower inside of the main restroom but we never got a chance to see it. They also have food and snacks counter at the service center plus a bunch of picnic tables really make this service center so likable.

As you enter the facility gate there is a parking lot to the left and right hand side. The left side parking lot is right in front of the service building and as such parking space filled up quickly. The left hand side parking lot is much bigger and has more beach entrances.

If you are with children I would recommend you go towards the north of the service building. The beach front is bigger. The sand is really nice and soft and more of it because of the bigger real estate between the dune and the water.

The middle of this mile long beach seem too crowded, partly because people are concentrated there and more significantly the spaces between the sand dunes and the water are much more narrow than the southern and northern end of the beach.

We stayed at the southern end of the beach when we started our day because there was a spot that the red seaweed was not washing ashore and the water there is much more cleaner of those seaweed. But as the afternoon progressed this spot is also covered with a lot of those red seaweed.

We saw plenty of people with pet so that ‘no dog’ sign was specific to the fence off marsh area.

At the very end of the northern part of the beach there is a really long jetty reaching way into the ocean and as the sun beginning to descend for the day we see a lot of fishermen crowding the jetty. We also saw plenty of ship going in and out of the breachway. This breachway is one of the regular route for the Block Island ferry.

There are lifeguards on duty until six in the evening. At six is also when the facility is closed. The portable bathroom and outdoor shower is still available. The entrance gate closed shut at nine.

I would not stay after sunset. The mosquitos or maybe gnats or maybe both will storm out and feast on you. We had so many bites on us we have to run and hide in our truck and then leave.

We really enjoyed this beach. The wave on that day was nice and gentle ideal for people with children, my two kids really enjoyed themselves putting aside the off...

This was my first time here. Read reviews and was convinced to try a new beach. This location however has one road in that backs up with heavy traffic. We waited for over an hour in line arriving at the front gate parking area for 10:20 to be informed by the police officer that wasn't so pleasant that we had to turn around because he just let the last car in, we explained we weren't from the area and didn't know of other beaches if he could give a quick recommendation because we drove from over an hour away and didn't know what was good in the area, but he wasn't helpful. We turned around and went the opposite way of what he said and we found Captain Jacks parking lot $20 for the day and were only .5mi walk from the beach. The beach is beautiful, great for anyone who loves waves and swimming. The bathhouses and bathroom area were clean. The pavilion area offer Del's Lemonade. If you enjoy fishing this is a great spot as there were many people walking down the rocks. The ocean floor had soft sand and was not filled with shells or rocks, bit of seaweed but beautiful. Check times for hours of operations for bathhouses as they close. Definitely leave early for here to avoid the lot being full... like 8am for...

Possibly the worst beach I have ever been to in my entire life. The width of the beach is as narrow as a two lane roadway, making it so people are basically on top of each other OR was it the employees fault for allowing so many people to park? Nonetheless, I’d prefer to not hear people’s conversations and I certainly don’t want their belongings touching mine.

The sand is rocky as you make your way into the water, almost unbearable on my feet so I can’t imagine how it feels on the kids feet. As much as I hate red tide, I would prefer that over walking on rocks all day.

The lifeguard on duty asked me to move my set up as it was “in his range.” I get it. However, only a few hours later was someone else set up there. Probably because there wasn’t anywhere else TO set up. Again, the beach was probably at capacity shortly after the gates opened but they still allowed people to park.

Needless to say, I will never be going back to this beach. There are so many other beaches in the state that are so much better. Don’t...