73°
Patchy Smoke
91%
28
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
Skip the beach today.
91% rain · NWS alert active · 73°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Patchy smoke and showers and thunderstorms before 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 73. South wind around 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 5am. Mostly cloudy. Low around 68, with temperatures rising to around 70 overnight. Southwest wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Weather
- 73°F air — ideal beach weather
- 91% rain — wet day — beach day is off
Safety
- NWS alert active — air quality alert issued july 17 at 3:28pm edt by nws upton ny
24 /100
skip
16 Sunbathe
26 Walk
35 Fish
59 Photo
Best for photography today
Water level 0.6 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.
Weather alert in effect
Air Quality Alert issued July 17 at 3:28PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Atmosphere
Air Temp
73°F
Fog/Mist
Wind
14 mph
S
Rain
91%
This Afternoon
Tomorrow
78°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
—
Water Quality
Above threshold
512 #/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 10mo 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 High
- NYZ178 Southern Queens — Jacob Riis Park and Rockaway Beach High
- NYZ179 Southern Nassau — Atlantic Beach, Long Beach, Lido Beach, High
- NYZ080 Southwestern Suffolk — Gilgo State Park and Robert Moses State Park High
- NYZ081 Southeastern Suffolk — Smith Point, Cupsogue Beach, High
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:31 AM
Sunset
8:18 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| 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 |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:40 AM | High | 2.8 ft |
| 8:14 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 2:15 PM | High | 3.1 ft |
| 8:55 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:33 AM | High | 2.5 ft |
| 9:05 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 3:09 PM | High | 3.1 ft |
| 9:56 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:29 AM | High | 2.3 ft |
| 9:56 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 4:04 PM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 10:57 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:31 AM | High | 2.1 ft |
| 10:49 AM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 5:03 PM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 11:56 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:35 AM | High | 2.1 ft |
| 11:44 AM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 5:59 PM | High | 3.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:50 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 6:32 AM | High | 2.1 ft |
| 12:38 PM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 6:51 PM | High | 3.0 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8461490, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
78°
Sunny
1%
82
76°
Sunny
0%
85
77°
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
52%
31
78°
Showers And Thunderstorms
94%
11
77°
Chance Rain Showers
30%
67
77°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
16%
76
What to Bring Today
- recommended Rain cover + dry bag 91% chance of rain
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.
Minor
10:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Major
3:20 AM - 5:20 AM
Minor
9:50 AM - 10:50 AM
Major
3:40 PM - 5:40 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