It’s time to feel the sand between your toes! Pack up an umbrella, some chairs, a picnic, and a good book, and hit the beach with the kids. We’ve got all of your local sandy spots to enjoy a sunny day this summer, so why hesitate? There’s an entire ocean out there waiting for you to splash around. Want some time to relax? Have the kids compete in a sandcastle contest so you can focus on “me time” until you have to pick a winner. Our guide covers beaches in the Fairfield County area of Connecticut, including Bridgeport, Darien, Fairfield, Norwalk, and Westport.
Beaches in Fairfield County, CT
Calf Pasture Beach
Norwalk
203-854-7806
Attractions: Fishing, softball fields, volleyball courts, skate park, basketball courts, and sailboat/windsurf/kayak rentals next door at Norwalk sailing school
Hours: Memorial Day through middle of October, sunrise to sunset (7am-10pm)
Cost: FREE admission. Norwalk residents: To receive a free beach pass (for free parking), visit norwalkct.org. Parking for non-residents: $30 weekdays; $35 weekends and holidays; $10 after 6pm all days.
Compo Beach
Westport
Attractions: A 29-acre park featuring a softball field, basketball courts, and a skate park. The beach area is open year-round. Parking fee in effect through Sept. 30, or show your Resident Parking Emblem.
Hours: Lifeguards on duty 10am-6pm Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Cost: $40 on weekdays; $50 on weekends and holidays, or show your Emblem.
Lake Mohegan
Fairfield
203-256-3191
Attractions: Lake beach with public grills, picnic area, sprinkler park
Hours: daily, dawn-11pm; swimming is not allowed after dark. Lifeguards on duty 10am-6pm weekends until June 10, then full time.
Cost: Residents: $8 weekdays ($4 children); $10 weekends and holidays ($6 children). Non-residents: $15 weekdays ($8 children); $18 weekends and holidays ($12 children). $20 weekdays. Parking without beach sticker (Memorial Day through Labor Day): $20 weekdays; $50 weekends and holidays. Seasonal passes: $25 for residents; $175 for non-residents.
Penfield Beach
Fairfield
203-256-3191
Attractions: Playground, picnic area with public grills, food concession, restrooms
Hours: 10am-11pm daily (closes at 10pm to non-residents). Lifeguards on duty 10am-6pm in summer.
Cost: Parking: FREE for residents with beach stickers. Parking without beach sticker (Memorial Day through Labor Day): $20 weekdays; $50 weekends and holidays. Seasonal passes: $25 residents; $175 non-residents.
Southport Beach
Fairfield
203-256-3191
Attractions: Playground, picnic area with public grills, food concessions, restrooms
Hours: 10am-6pm in summer daily (closes at 10pm to non-residents). Lifeguards on duty 10am-dusk.
Cost: Only open to residents with a beach sticker. Seasonal passes: $25 residents; not available to non-residents.
Sasco Beach
Fairfield
203-256-3191
Attractions: Picnic area with public grills, restrooms
Hours: Beach open 10am-6pm daily in summer (closes at 10pm to non-residents). Lifeguards on duty 10am-dusk.
Cost: Only open to residents with a beach sticker. Seasonal passes: $25 residents; not available to non-residents.
Seaside Park Beach
Bridgeport
203-576-7233
Attractions: Picnic area, bathhouse, restrooms, track, lighthouse
Hours: 8am-8pm daily
Cost: Annual Parking Sticker: $15 for Bridgeport residents; $130 for residents outside of Bridgeport; Parking day passes: weekdays $30 for CT residents, $50 for non-residents; weekends and holidays $40 for CT residents, $60 for non-residents.
Sherwood Island State Park
Westport
203-226-6983
Attractions: Fishing, food concessions, bathhouse, swimming areas, nature center Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm in the summer
Hours: Year round: 8am to sunset daily
Cost (varies by parks; apply only from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day): Weekday parking: $15 non-residents. Weekend parking: $22 non-residents. After 4pm: $7 non-residents. Season pass: $112 non-residents (allows entrance to any Connecticut state park during the summer). Residents can pay through a new passport program.
Weed Beach
Darien
203-656-7325
Attractions: Public grills, picnic areas, tennis courts, restrooms, playgrounds
Hours: 9am-10 pm daily
Cost: Parking: $45 day pass. Darien residents can purchase seasonal beach permit for $45.
Pear Tree Point Beach
Darien
203-656-7325
Attractions: Public grills, picnic areas, restrooms, food concession
Hours: 9am to sunset daily
Cost: Parking: $45. Darien residents can purchase a seasonal beach permit for $45.
See our complete guide to the best beaches for families in the New York City area
