Hammonasset Beach State Park

1288 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443

Connecticut's largest shoreline state park — 2 miles of Long Island Sound beach in Madison. Calmer sound water (not open Atlantic), nature center, camping, and bike paths through coastal forest. The default CT beach day from anywhere along the I-95 corridor.

Eats & Drinks 4

Ideal for a beach walk.

NWS alert active · 80°F air · 74°F water

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Partly sunny. High near 80, with temperatures falling to around 77 in the afternoon. South wind around 13 mph.

Tonight

A slight chance of rain showers after 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind 13 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Weather

  • 80°F air — ideal beach weather
  • Sunny skies — clear conditions

Water

  • 74°F water — swimmable, refreshing

Safety

  • NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued september 9 at 2:06pm edt until september 10 at 8:00am edt by nws upton ny
70 /100
great
57 Swim
81 Sunbathe
85 Walk
81 Photo

Best for walking today

Small Craft Small Craft Advisory

Small Craft Advisory issued September 9 at 2:06PM EDT until September 10 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY

NWS · In effect through Sep 10, 8:00 AM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...Southwest winds 10 to 20 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 1 to 3 feet expected. * WHERE...Long Island Sound, New York Harbor, Peconic and Gardiners Bays, and South Shore Bays from Jones Inlet through Shinnecock Bay. * WHEN...Until 8 AM EDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

Air Temp
80°F
Clear
Wind
13 mph
S
Rain
7%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
6 High
High 12 PM–02 PM · burn in ~33m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 04 PM
Tomorrow
85°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Water Temp
74°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
10:42 PM
7.2 ft · in 3.4h
Wave Height
1.6 ft
10s · ESE swell

Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference

No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (ANZ331)

The OKX office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.

  • NYZ075 Kings (Brooklyn) — Coney Island Beach and Manhattan Beach Low in the AM, becoming high late
  • NYZ178 Southern Queens — Jacob Riis Park and Rockaway Beach Low in the AM, becoming high late
  • NYZ179 Southern Nassau — Atlantic Beach, Long Beach, Lido Beach, Low in the AM, becoming high late
  • NYZ080 Southwestern Suffolk — Gilgo State Park and Robert Moses State Park Low in the AM, becoming high late
  • NYZ081 Southeastern Suffolk — Smith Point, Cupsogue Beach, Low in the AM, becoming high late

NWS SRF · OKX · Issued Sep 9, 3:01 AM

Sunrise
6:24 AM
Sunset
7:10 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Time Type Height
4:12 AM Low 0.1 ft
10:20 AM High 6.8 ft
4:31 PM Low 0.2 ft
10:42 PM High 7.2 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8465705, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

Today Sep 9
80°

Partly Sunny

7%
70
Thu Sep 10
85°

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

21%
75
Fri Sep 11
76°

Mostly Sunny

1%
85
Sat Sep 12
74°

Mostly Sunny

1%
84
Sun Sep 13
77°

Chance Rain Showers

52%
58
Mon Sep 14
78°

Mostly Sunny

3%
86
Tue Sep 15
77°

Mostly Sunny

2%
85
  • optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 74°F

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Parking

Large lots; entry fee in season.

Dogs

Dogs prohibited on the swimming beach Apr 1 – Sept 30; leashed permitted Sept 30 – Apr 1. Leashed allowed in picnic areas year-round; campground allows pets after Columbus Day until May 1. Max 7-ft leash.

Entry Fee

Free with CT plates via Passport to the Parks. Out-of-state vehicles $15–$22 in season; $7 after 4 PM.

Address

1288 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443

lifeguardsrestroomsshowerssnack barcampgroundnature centerbike paths
Is it safe to swim at Hammonasset Beach State Park today?

Hammonasset Beach State Park shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

Is Hammonasset Beach State Park dog-friendly?

Dogs prohibited on the swimming beach Apr 1 – Sept 30; leashed permitted Sept 30 – Apr 1. Leashed allowed in picnic areas year-round; campground allows pets after Columbus Day until May 1. Max 7-ft leash.

Is there an entry fee at Hammonasset Beach State Park?

Entry to Hammonasset Beach State Park is free.

Are there lifeguards at Hammonasset Beach State Park?

Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Hammonasset Beach State Park during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.

What amenities are at Hammonasset Beach State Park?

Amenities at Hammonasset Beach State Park include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, snack bar, campground, nature center, bike paths.

When is the water warmest at Hammonasset Beach State Park?

Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.

Where is Hammonasset Beach State Park located?

Hammonasset Beach State Park is in Middlesex County, CT, at 1288 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443.

Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS

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