Compass Rose Beach

Compass Rose Beach located in North Kingstown within Washington County. It is a half-kilometer-long beige sand beach.  The beach is positioned on the eastern side of the famous Wickford Harbor near Quonset Point along the shores of Narragansett Bay, which together provide incredible views.

Compass Rose Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities except a few picnic tables and portable toilets, so plan your trip accordingly.

Compass Rose Beach is a family-friendly beach that offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, boating, surfing, and picnicking.  If you are planning to go into the water, the waves are usually calm as it is protected by breakwaters.  However, we recommend being careful, as water is known to have unpredictable rip currents.  The water near the beach is shallow and has a narrow opening that allows the entrance of small boats, including kayaks, canoes, hobie cats, and small boats.   It is an ideal spot for windsurfing due to its frequently windy weather.  The beach is perfect for visitors looking for a tranquil beach experience, as it sees fewer visitors than other nearby beaches.  Dogs are welcome on the beach if they are on a leash, and the beach is open from sunrise until sunset.

Compass Rose Beach does not offer an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Compass Rose Beach is easy - it has a paid parking lot located at 1542-1598 Roger Williams Way, which provides easy access to the beach.  It is important to note that the beach is located just off Roger Williams Way, near the Martha's Vineyard Fast Ferry.

Despite its small length, Compass Rose Beach is a popular spot for enjoying the sunset over Narragansett Bay.

There are many attractions nearby attractions.  Roger Williams Park is a dog-friendly park spread over 435 acres that features botanical gardens, a zoo, a museum, a planetarium, a carousel village, a large pond with swan boats, walking trails, pavilions, benches, picnic areas, picnic tables, and restrooms.  In addition, the park hosts interesting events and live concerts throughout the year.  Museum of Natural History and Planetarium has a large gallery that displays interesting exhibits related to natural history, local geology, paleontology, biology, and native biodiversity.  It also has a planetarium that showcases intriguing week-end shows related to astronomy, space exploration, and the night sky.  The museum also hosts many educational programs and events that attract people of all ages.  Salter Grove Memorial Park is a riverfront park with a breakwater that offers many amenities, including a boat ramp, a small playground, walking trails, a fishing pier, and a parking lot.  Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and watching wildlife.  

Seabee Museum & Memorial Park is a small museum dedicated to the United States Navy Seabees, who are responsible for construction and engineering projects for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.  The museum has a gallery that displays interesting exhibits, artifacts, photographs, and related memorabilia that provides insight into their involvement and role in various wars, construction projects, disaster relief, and humanitarian efforts.  In addition, there is a memorial park that features various memorials dedicated to Seabees who made the ultimate sacrifice.  If you are looking for another nearby attraction, Biomes Marine Biology Center is recognized as the state’s largest aquarium and offers interesting exhibits, educational programs, and events throughout the years.  In addition, visitors can also enjoy touch tanks and animal feeding sessions.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants within a six-minute drive of Compass Rose Beach.  Seven Moons North Kingstown serves incredible Asian, Chinese, Thai, and Japanese dishes. Wickford on the Water serves amazing soups, salads, wraps, rolls, sandwiches, tacos, burgers, mussels, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  Tate's Italian Kitchen serves pasta, pizzas, spaghetti, risottos, and desserts.  Tavern by the Sea serves soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, ravioli, grilled pizza, meat, seafood, and poultry dishes.   If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby restaurant, El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant serves salads, soups, burritos, chimichangas, quesadillas, fajitas, enchiladas, and tacos.

If you are looking for a hotel near Compass Rose Beach, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale beachfront hotel, the 5-Star The Chanler at Cliff Walk is 44 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including a fitness center, hot tubs, and a restaurant.  A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star The Break Hotel, which offers several amenities including a heated outdoor pool, a sundeck, hot tubs, fire pits, a terrace, and complimentary breakfast.  Another moderately priced option is the 4-Star Hilton Providence, which has many amenities including an indoor heated pool, a bar, a fitness room, and coin-operated laundry facilities.  A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star Hampton Inn Fall River/Westport, which offers many amenities including an indoor pool,a fitness center, tennis courts, basketball courts, and complimentary breakfast.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, the 3-Star Residence Inn by Marriott New Bedford Dartmouth offers many amenities including an indoor pool, a barbecue grill facility, coin-operated laundry facilities, a convenience store, and a fitness center.