There are three private beaches in Watch Hill with access to the public. They include East Beach, the Watch Hill Merry-Go-Round Beach, and the Napatree Point Conservation Area. The Watch Hill Merry-Go-Round Beach is open to the public for a fee and is free to Fire District Residents. Cabanas can be rented seasonally or daily for a fee. Bathing facilities and lavatories are available.
East Beach is accessible through entrances located on Bluff Avenue and Manatuck Avenue. Please note that while the beach is open to the public, it is privately owned. There are neither lifeguards on duty. Parking is available in lots on Larkin Road and Bay street. Bike Racks are also available in the Merchant Lot on Bay Street. On Street Parking on Bay Street is limited to 2 hours. Westerly Residents with TOW Stickers may park on Larkin Road. Parking on side streets is prohibited at all times and monitored closely by the Westerly Police
Department.
During the early summer months, areas are marked off for preservation of the Piping Plover, an endangered species of local dune-dwelling bird. Please avoid these areas, keep dogs on leashes during allowed times and be respectful of our neighbors.
Napatree Point Conservation Area and beach is accessible via an entrance from the access road immediately adjacent to the Misquamicut Club parking lot. Footpaths are marked, and visitors are instructed to remain on the paths at all times. This sensitive area is also home to the Piping Plover and as with East Beach, will have several areas marked off during the early summer months.
For those wishing to visit any of Watch Hill’s beaches, in addition to the Town of Westerly Resident parking, there is pay parking available. Please visit our Parking & Access section (above) for more information. For those coming by boat, there is a public dinghy dock available.