Natural swimming hole
Waterford Beach Park
Ocean cove · Connecticut
About this swimming hole
Waterford's town beach park at 317 Great Neck Road preserves a rare, largely unmodified natural beach — nearly a quarter-mile of sand with an intact dune system on Long Island Sound, backed by tidal marshes. A boardwalk crosses the dunes from the parking area to the supervised swimming beach. It sits next to Harkness Memorial State Park, where swimming is prohibited, making Waterford Beach the swimmable beach in this stretch of coast.
Good to know
| Water type | Ocean cove |
|---|---|
| Best season | Summer |
| Fees | Pass required in season; non-resident day pass reported at $35, and passes must be purchased in advance as the gate no longer takes payment — check the Town of Waterford for current rates |
| Reservations required | No |
| Hours | Swimming area open daily 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. during beach season |
| Parking | Paved park lot at 317 Great Neck Road, Waterford, a short boardwalk walk from the sand |
| Amenities | restrooms, lifeguards, picnic tables |
| County | New London County |
| Nearest town | Waterford |
| Safety notes | Swim in the supervised area while lifeguards are on duty. Do not swim at neighboring Harkness Memorial State Park beach — swimming is prohibited there. |
Map
Official information
Official park / agency page ↗ — check current conditions, fees, and reservations here before you go.
Nearby swimming holes
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in Waterford Beach Park?
Yes — Waterford Beach Park is listed as a natural swimming spot in Connecticut. Heads-up: Swim in the supervised area while lifeguards are on duty. Do not swim at neighboring Harkness Memorial State Park beach — swimming is prohibited there.. There are rarely lifeguards at natural swimming holes — verify conditions locally before you go.
Does Waterford Beach Park require reservations?
No reservations are required at Waterford Beach Park based on current information — but verify before you go.
Is there a fee to visit Waterford Beach Park?
Reported fee info: Pass required in season; non-resident day pass reported at $35, and passes must be purchased in advance as the gate no longer takes payment — check the Town of Waterford for current rates. Fees can change — confirm with the official link.
When is the best time to visit Waterford Beach Park?
The best season is typically Summer.