7 Rhode Island Beach Rentals Right Near the Water

With its historic Main Street and rows of quaint houses, Wickford looks like a real-life Norman Rockwell painting. There’s a live theatre, a World War II museum, and a pedestrian bridge over the Saugatucket River. If you bring a bike, you can pedal the South County Bike Trail, which spans seven miles of bucolic countryside.

The Wakefield is a house that plants right in the village, within walking distance of its many pubs and restaurants. It’s also a proud old structure, dating to 1880. The Wakefield’s eight bedrooms will accommodate up to 25 guests, making it perfect for wedding parties and big reunions.

Though this house is overflowing with old school charm, don’t worry – this house has been thoughtfully updated for the present day. There’s air conditioning, a brand new kitchen, and a dynamic rec room built into the former carriage house. You can explore the town with your posse, borrow a boogie board and head to the beach, or gather round the fire pit with a can of locally brewed Whalers beer.

Thames Street is the throbbing heart of Newport, where thousands of visitors stroll the shops and restaurants every summer day. It parallels the Newport waterfront and offers direct access to the famous Bowen’s Wharf.

This cozy condo is located on Thames Street, which is luxury enough, but it’s also freshly renovated, with a sparkling modern kitchen and homey nautical décor. Lounge on the street-side balcony or entertain guests in the grassy backyard. Air conditioned rooms will be a relief after sunning on the beach, as is the glass-enclosed shower stall.

If you’re traveling with an entourage, you’re also welcome to squeeze up to six people into this two-bedroom unit. Then again, given all the entertainment around you – and beautiful sunsets – this spot is also ideal for a romantic getaway.

For travelers, Westerly is really three major destinations rolled into one town. There’s Westerly itself, a historic village that unfolds along the Pawcatuck River, where you’ll find some of the niftiest eateries in Rhode Island. There’s Watch Hill, the coastal community with a busy commercial district right on the water. Finally, there’s Misquamicut, a sprawling beach with a carnival atmosphere.

This rental property is the quintessential New England cottage, with wood-shingled walls and hardwood floors. Up to six guests can stay in this Instagram-ready house, and there’s a small patio for socializing. The ample lawn also has a handsome stone fire pit. You can sleep soundly in a spacious bed, or snuggle up in a bunk.

You’re also one mile from the Wuskenau Town Beach, beloved by locals and less busy than Misquamicut, as well as a quick drive to downtown Westerly. When you’re done with the day, this house is just far enough away from the hubbub to enjoy quiet country nights.

Among the seaside cottages of South Kingstown, you’ll find this maroon-colored monolith on the very edge of Potter Pond. This modernist, two-story rental structure looks like it was taken from the pages of an architecture magazine, and it stands just a few paces from its own wooden pier.

The interior may surprise you, though: The softwood walls give the place the atmosphere of a remote cabin, albeit elegant and streamlined. Generous windows look out on the water, and the belvedere-like bedroom offers panoramic views.

The house’s location gives you easy access to boating, the ferry to Block Island, and the freshest seafood in the state. Ever been clamming? This is a prime location.

Worden’s Pond is such a quiet little nook that most Rhode Islanders couldn’t pinpoint it on a map. The area is wooded and remote, with placid water and nearby wetlands. If you love to go boating or cast a line for freshwater fish, Worden Pond is a great bet.

This three-bedroom cottage is nestled in the trees and with its three bedrooms and pullout sofa, this house is equipped to house up to 12 guests. The living room and newly renovated kitchen are comfortable in any season, and you can spend summer days relaxing on the vast porch.

Even in this apparent wilderness, you’re never far from a South County village or roadside store, plus Narragansett Town Beach is just a short drive away.

You can’t get closer to the water than an actual watercraft. What’s remarkable about the Hyanna houseboat is that it feels just ​like a studio apartment. There are two sofas, a king-sized bed, a floor rug, and a fully functional kitchen. The cabin has both air conditioning and baseboard heat. You can spend a summer day lounging in the rooftop chairs, or spend a rainy evening in the comforts of this gently rocking tiny home.

There’s also the location: this boat is docked in the middle of Providence, just a stone’s throw from the city’s nightlife district and within easy walking distance to Downcity, India Point Park, and the historic East Side neighborhood. This is ground zero for dining and entertainment – and from the top deck, you may have one of the city’s best skyline views.

Narragansett is easily the most famous Rhode Island beach town, and people travel from all over the world to swim and surf in local waters. The medieval-looking Towers are a beloved local monument, and tourists have enjoyed local seafood and gelato for a century and a half.

So you can’t do much better than a three-bedroom house on a dead-end street, just a few blocks from Ocean Road. This completely renovated home has its own gas fireplace and outdoor Jacuzzi, and there’s a spacious patio with a high-quality covering. The furniture and appliances are brand-new, and the bedrooms include some bunkbeds, sleeping up to eight guests.

Narragansett is a destination unto itself and many people spend whole summers in this seasonal town, but it’s also a great launchpad for exploring the rest of Rhode Island. Remember: it’s a small state, but there’s a lot to see.