East Bay vs. West Bay: Which is Better?
We bravely explore the long-standing rivalry to find out which side of Narragansett Bay is better.
Who’s got the best stretches of beach?
Courtesy of Discover Newport.
For the East Bay: Second Beach in Newport
Sam Labrecque: grew up in East Providence; 100 percent beach bum
How much of a beach diehard are you?
SL: Let’s just say my beach chairs never make it out of the trunk of my car and I find sand in my beach bag in the middle of January. And when the winter becomes cold and unbearable, I am the first person to book a flight to an island with sandy beaches for miles.
Why Second Beach?
SL: The real question is, why not Second Beach? It’s got breathtaking views and all the amenities you could ever need. Parking is a breeze since the massive lot never gets full, it has a snack shack to fill your belly when you realize you didn’t pack enough food, and bathrooms plus outdoor showers that allow for an easy outfit change when heading to downtown Newport after. And the views? They’re second to none. St. George’s School to your right, sandy dunes to your left and views as far as the sea meets the horizon, plus the sound of small waves crashing against the shoreline sounds like a pretty perfect beach day to me.
Have you ever been to a West Bay beach?
SL: I went to Misquamicut this summer. Two words: no thanks.
For the West Bay: Charlestown Breachway
Sarah Francis: lives in the West Bay; devoted beach goer
How much of a beach diehard are you?
SF: Are you kidding? I keep beach chairs in my car until December. My first love was Narragansett Town Beach: calm, shallow water, lots of parking, picture-perfect views of the Towers with surfers dotting the horizon. But it got pricey; I moved on.
Why the Breachway?
SF: It’s down a rutted road that can make your teeth chatter, past houses on stilts, and the lot isn’t huge, so you have to get there early. Plus, the bathrooms aren’t for the faint of heart. But once you settle in, the views of the silky seagrass shimmering along the dunes and wide expanses of sand with Block Island in the distance are totally zen. The kids perched along the stone jetty fishing for blues remind me how unpretentious this place is, and the fading light as dusk gathers is magical. I can sit there for hours.
Have you ever been to an East Bay beach?
SF: Why?
Winner: A tie. Who can complain when we live this close to gorgeous sun and sand?
