78°
Sunny
1%
86
New London County, CT · Atlantic Ocean
Rocky Neck State Park
244 West Main Street, Niantic, CT 06357
A half-mile crescent of sand on Long Island Sound with a striking 1930s WPA-era stone pavilion overlooking it. The 160-site campground in the woods behind the beach makes it one of CT's best multi-day coastal trips.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
78°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Sunny. High near 78, with temperatures falling to around 75 in the afternoon. Southeast wind 1 to 5 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 65. South wind 1 to 5 mph.
Weather
- 78°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
85 /100
ideal
84 Sunbathe
88 Walk
84 Fish
83 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.7 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
78°F
Mostly Clear
Wind
1 to 5 mph
SE
Rain
1%
Today
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
78°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
—
Next High Tide
8:20 PM
3.6 ft · in 5.0h
Water Quality
Above threshold
512 #/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 9mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (ANZ332)
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 Moderate
- NYZ178 Southern Queens — Jacob Riis Park and Rockaway Beach Moderate
- NYZ179 Southern Nassau — Atlantic Beach, Long Beach, Lido Beach, Moderate
- NYZ080 Southwestern Suffolk — Gilgo State Park and Robert Moses State Park Moderate
- NYZ081 Southeastern Suffolk — Smith Point, Cupsogue Beach, Moderate
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:26 AM
Sunset
8:22 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:21 AM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 7:52 AM | High | 2.5 ft |
| 2:10 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 8:20 PM | High | 3.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:15 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 8:46 AM | High | 2.6 ft |
| 3:09 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 9:14 PM | High | 3.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:06 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 9:40 AM | High | 2.7 ft |
| 4:05 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 10:08 PM | High | 3.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:55 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 10:34 AM | High | 2.9 ft |
| 5:00 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 11:01 PM | High | 3.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:44 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 11:29 AM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 5:55 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 11:53 PM | High | 3.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:33 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 12:25 PM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 6:53 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:46 AM | High | 3.1 ft |
| 7:24 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 1:21 PM | High | 3.1 ft |
| 7:54 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8461490, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
78°
Sunny
0%
85
84°
Sunny
0%
81
86°
Sunny
7%
80
85°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
15%
80
82°
Sunny
5%
85
81°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
21%
54
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Major
9:40 PM - 11:40 PM
Minor
2:30 AM - 3:30 AM
Major
10:10 AM - 12:10 PM
Minor
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Free for CT-registered vehicles. Out-of-state day pass required (rate varies by season).
Dogs
Leashed dogs allowed on trails and picnic areas north of the train tracks; not allowed on the beach or in buildings.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
244 West Main Street, Niantic, CT 06357
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Rocky Neck State Park today?
Rocky Neck 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 Rocky Neck State Park dog-friendly?
Leashed dogs allowed on trails and picnic areas north of the train tracks; not allowed on the beach or in buildings.
Is there an entry fee at Rocky Neck State Park?
Entry to Rocky Neck State Park is free.
Are there lifeguards at Rocky Neck State Park?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Rocky Neck 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 Rocky Neck State Park?
Amenities at Rocky Neck State Park include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, snack bar, campground, picnic area, fishing.
When is the water warmest at Rocky Neck 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 Rocky Neck State Park located?
Rocky Neck State Park is in New London County, CT, at 244 West Main Street, Niantic, CT 06357.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS