Compo Beach — Attraction in Westport

Westport Connecticut's Compo Beach is small, but a gem for those who live near it or are able to buy a Westport Town Beach Parking Pass. It is located on Long Island Sound - so the waves are tiny or not existent. If you are from out of town it is very expensive - but the town keeps this beach well maintained.

For town residents or people who are fortunate enough to have friends in the area so they can park and walk to the beach - at most times of the year it is a real pleasure. I have been going since 1961 - and have many fond memories of playing on this beach Winter, Summer, Spring and Fall.

In the summer I only go during the week to walk it and around the sidewalks that run down to the Mill Pond - early - -this avoids the crowds and often bumper-bumper traffic. Whether high tide or low tide and all the levels in-between - the jetties and beach are fun to watch. Out on Cedar point at low tide - I love looking at the snails, minnows and small crabs as they move about in the warm tidal pools that only exist during the low time periods - -

In the Fall, Winter and Spring - without the crowds it is great to walk - often in the winter I have flown kites - even though one has to bundle up - -its very pleasant. Although I no longer live in Westport - when I am in the area I park at friends' homes and walk down to enjoy. Everyone that I know...

Cons: Where you should go to park is confusing.

The beach itself is gravelly with lots of small shells.

Not particularly captivating.

Neutral: $40 for parking during the week. The price is okay if you're sharing and if the parking spot for non-residents weren't on dirt.

Close beach if you don't feel like going to the boroughs or Long Island. However there are so many small beaches in the NY/CT area this one doesn't stand out.

Pros: Clean bathrooms.

Eatery on the beach. (Didn't use it, don't know the cost.)

They're building out the walking path and adding picnic tables.

Personal Experience: Upon arrival I received a "what can I do for you ladies". Well we want to use the beach why else would we be here. There was a cop car around and the officer inside nastily stared at my friend and me. Bigots? Or typical behavior? Not sure, but worth mentioning.

Background: I've been to some of the most beautiful beaches around the world from the Americas to Australia which is why this has a 3 and not a 2, because I'm rating it on it's own merits and not in comparison to...

This is the largest and most-frequented beach in Westport, but aesthetically speaking, it lags behind the others. It does have more accommodations and adjacent activities, but the crowds on warm days can be an issue. As a general rule you don't want to go swimming or engage in other in-water activities in this part of Connecticut--go at least as far north as Hammonasset for that. Views are good from here, I've seen plenty of great sunsets and even a few sunrises from here, but they are better from Burying Hill Beach (5 stars).

Historically, this is probably the most important site in Westport. More important than the place where J.D. Salinger wrote "Catcher in the Rye" (no one seems sure where that is), probably more important even than the Wright Street office building where the hedge fund was invented. Cannons by the jetty commemorate the Battle of Compo Beach, fought during the...