Did You Know All Rhode Island Beaches Are Now Public? But There’s A Catch
I may be late to the party, but hey it’s never too late to share information. I just found out that Rhode Island passed a new law in June which opens all beaches to the public. But there’s a caveat. According to an article in boston.com, every beach in the Ocean State is now open to the public. But wait, the deal is you have to be up to 10 feet from the high tide line. Did you know all of Rhode Island beaches are now public? But, there’s a catch?
Apparently, the law says everyone of the RI’s “beaches are public up to 10 feet away from the high tide line.” Does that mean that even if the top part of the beach is private, anyone can hang out at the coastline? That appears to be the case. So, whether it’s someone’s private property, like a home, or if it’s a business like a beach club, we can get onto their beach. It’s cool they are opening up for more people to seek relief from the heat, but at the same time seems a little strange. What makes it more difficult, the law makes it clear you cannot enter the beach through private property. (Scratching my head.)
Let’s dig deeper. How do you define the “high tide line?” The law says the high tide line is “usually demarcated by a continuous line of seaweed, small shells, oil, or scrum. If there is no debris or residue on the beach, the high tide line is the wet line on a sandy or rocky beach.” (boston.com). What you are allowed to do at the beach is not clearly defined. Can you bring a boogie board, or just a towel to bathe in the sun? It’s all so grey, but you can find out more HERE. Oh, hey just take a chance, hit the beach and hope for the best. Clearly stated in the law is the public can’t use any private resources like chairs or loungers, and decks. Good luck out there.
Did you know all of Rhode Island beaches are now public? But, there’s a catch?
All of Rhode Island's beaches are now public — sort of https://t.co/qBLHFDrrD3
— Boston.com (@BostonDotCom) July 19, 2023
Check out some of New England’s most beautiful beaches, here:
New England Beaches You Just Have To Visit
Crane Beach, Ipswich, MA
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Narragansett Town Beach, Narragansett, RI
Goose Rocks Beach, Kennebunkport, ME
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Hampton Beach, Hampton Beach, NH
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Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester, MA
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Hammonassett Beach, Madison, CT
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Old Orchard Beach, Old Orchard Beach, ME
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Easton’s Beach (aka First Beach), Newport, RI
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Coast Guard Beach, Eastham, Cape Cod, MA
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Jenness Beach, Rye, NH
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Sand Beach, Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME
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Mohegan Bluffs Beach, Block Island, RI
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Nauset Light Beach, Eastham, Cape Cod, MA
Nantasket Beach, Hull, MA
Long Sands Beach, York Beach, ME
Wingaersheek Beach, Gloucester, MA
Herring Cove Beach, Cape Cod, MA
Mayflower Beach, Dennis, Cape Cod, MA
