East Beach ~ Barrier Beach

Physical Characteristics

Where is East Beach located?

East Beach is a two mile long barrier beach that separates Block Island Sound from Ninigret Pond. The barrier beach at East Beach lies parallel to Rhode Island's southern coastline between the Connecticut border and Narragansett Bay near the city of Charlestown. This narrow (660-990 feet or about 2-3 football fields) strip of sand protects the coastal lagoon (salt pond) ecosystem lying behind it from storms coming in from the Atlantic Ocean. The barrier beach extends eastward from Blue Shutters beach to the Charlestown Breachway.