Norwalk’s coastline offers a range of beaches, each with unique draws that cater to different visitors.
Some of these sandy havens are perfect for quiet contemplation, presenting breathtaking views of sunrises and sunsets over the shimmering waters.
Others are built for family fun, offering amenities like playgrounds, snack bars, and picnic areas.
Though fees apply for access and use of facilities, there are hardly any free options on this stretch of coastline.
Whether visitors are in search of tranquility, recreation, or a picturesque spot for a picnic, the beaches near Norwalk are prepared to deliver.
Check out the options!
1. Calf Pasture Beach & Shady Beach
- Distance from Norwalk: 3 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, picnics, fishing, kayaking, sailing, volleyball
- Amenities: restrooms, showers, lifeguards, sports courts, playground, splash pad, cafes, picnic tables with grills, pier
Situated just 3 miles from Norwalk, Calf Pasture Beach emerges as a hub of outdoor activity.
Offering a range of facilities from volleyball courts to a skateboard park, this beach-front property lures visitors with its calm Long Island Sound waters and scenic coastline.
Beachgoers can engage in activities such as kayaking via the Island Kayak trail or relishing seafood at Ripka’s.
The beach also provides rentable sailboats, kayaks, and paddleboards, courtesy of the Norwalk Sailing School.
Adjacent to the main beach, the park boasts picnic tables and grill facilities.
However, out-of-town guests should anticipate steep parking costs, reaching up to $72 on weekends.
Overall, Calf Pasture Beach presents an enticing blend of beach relaxation and active pursuits, though access comes at a premium for non-residents.
2. Compo Beach
- Distance from Norwalk: 5 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, picnics, fishing, kayaking, volleyball
- Amenities: restrooms, showers, seasonal lifeguards, sports courts, playground, picnic tables with grills, pier
Stretching along the Long Island Sound and Saugatuck River, Compo Beach stands out as a year-round, 29-acre park brimming with diverse facilities.
Apart from an expansive sand beach, it hosts two volleyball courts, a large playground, bathroom facilities, and lockers.
Adjacent to the Ned Dimes Marina, Compo Beach boasts additional recreational sites, including a softball field, a multi-purpose field, lighted basketball courts, and a skate park.
Although the beach presents daily parking fees, ranging from $45 on weekdays to $70 on weekends and holidays, visitors are rewarded with amenities like a boardwalk, pavilion, and concession stand.
With an impressive array of offerings, from recreational activities to practical amenities, Compo Beach solidifies its spot as a premier waterfront location, albeit at a cost for vehicle parking.
3. Sherwood Beach
- Distance from Norwalk: 6 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, picnics, fishing, kayaking, hiking
- Amenities: restrooms, showers, seasonal lifeguards, sports courts, picnic tables with grills, trails
Renowned as Connecticut’s first state park, Sherwood Island State Park showcases 238 acres of coastal splendor on the Long Island Sound.
This public recreation hub provides an eclectic blend of activities including saltwater swimming, fishing, paddling, and bird watching.
Visitors can also partake in field sports or fly model airplanes.
An added bonus for beachgoers is the free parking available for Connecticut-registered vehicles.
The park is equipped with amenities to enhance visitors’ experience: a pavilion, bathhouses, concessions, a first aid station, and drinking fountains.
Whether engaging in a beach-side barbecue or exploring walking trails, Sherwood Island State Park offers a rewarding escape, delivering an all-in-one beach and park experience at no parking cost for local residents.
4. Bayley Beach
- Distance from Norwalk: 5 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, picnics, fishing, kayaking, volleyball
- Amenities: restrooms, showers, seasonal lifeguards, sports courts, picnic tables with grills, swimming docks
Situated in Rowayton, just 5 miles from Norwalk, Bayley Beach is a community treasure with historic roots tracing back to the late 19th-century Roton Point Amusement Park.
As a slice of coastal delight, it’s outfitted with lifeguard services from Memorial Day to Labor Day, ensuring a safe aquatic experience.
The beach offers a plethora of amenities like a playground, basketball court, volleyball area, and outdoor showers.
For comfort seekers, there’s a pavilion housing a snack bar, restrooms, and changing rooms, along with picnic tables and barbecues.
Residents enjoy free access with a sticker or walk-in pass, while non-residents can relish the serene coastline for a seasonal fee, varying from $25 on non-holiday weekdays to $100 for Fourth of July and fireworks days.
Bayley Beach, the picture-perfect summer destination, promises a mix of relaxation and recreation.
5. Burying Hill Beach
- Distance from Norwalk: 6 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, picnics, fishing
- Amenities: restrooms, seasonal lifeguards, picnic tables
Tucked away along the shores of the Long Island Sound is Burying Hill Beach, a quiet gem in the affluent town of Westport, Connecticut.
This petite, often overlooked park stretches across 2.39 acres, blending a sandy and rocky beach with a peaceful wildlife area along a bordering canal.
Open from Memorial Weekend through Labor Day, the beach offers visitors restroom and changing facilities, picnic tables, and grills, setting the scene for a picturesque family outing.
With a valid Parks and Recreation vehicle emblem, Connecticut residents pay a daily parking fee of $25 on weekdays, and $30 on weekends, while out-of-state vehicles pay $35 and $50, respectively.
The tranquil setting, fewer crowds, and stunning sunset views over the calm estuary waters give this lesser-known beach a unique allure.
6. Southport Beach
- Distance from Norwalk: 8 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, picnics
- Amenities: restrooms, showers, seasonal lifeguards
Southport Beach, a tranquil sanctuary near Norwalk, stretches over a small area of approximately 2.5 acres.
Known for soft sand, this expansive coastline offers a plethora of amenities, including showers, restrooms, and lifeguard supervision during the summer season.
While the beach is free and open to the public, there’s a twist to its accessibility.
From Memorial Day Saturday through Labor Day, parking within the lot is exclusively for residents bearing a beach sticker.
Yet, this hasn’t deterred non-residents, who find ingenious solutions such as parking a block away and enjoying a brief walk to the beach.
This spot strikes the right balance between peacefulness and convenience, making it a beloved destination for those looking for a relaxing day by the sea.
7. Pear Tree Point Beach
- Distance from Norwalk: 8 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, picnics, fishing, kayaking, boating
- Amenities: restrooms, showers, seasonal lifeguards, picnic tables, pavilion
Pear Tree Point Beach, a crown jewel of Fairfield County, spans approximately 8 acres at the mouth of the Goodwives River.
The beach provides an array of amenities, including a bathing area, a handicap-accessible picnic section, a gazebo with stunning sound views, a bathhouse, a boat launch ramp, and two distinct sand stretches.
The beach also houses the Darien Boat Club, adding to its charm with beautiful sailing boats bobbing on moorings.
To access the beach, Darien’s residents must acquire seasonal passes, while foreign parties can purchase a daily pass for $53 at the gate.
While the beach enjoys a reputation for its stunning sunset views and calm, pristine waters, it also promises seclusion and tranquility for those seeking a serene getaway from their hectic routines.
8. Weed Beach
- Distance from Norwalk: 8 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, picnics, fishing, kayaking
- Amenities: restrooms, showers, seasonal lifeguards, picnic tables, pavilions, sports courts, trails
Situated just 8 miles from Norwalk, Weed Beach in Darien, CT, spans across 22 acres and serves as a perfect getaway to the coast.
This public beach offers a unique blend of activities, from the tranquility of Saturday morning beach yoga to the energy of paddle and tennis courts.
An intriguing sea-inspired playground adds charm for families.
The beach is not just about sand and water; it houses a fully operational concession stand, a bathhouse, and even a fitness trail with equipment.
With a $53 daily pass, non-residents can access these facilities and enjoy a day of sun, sand, and surf.
Whether you’re up for a lazy day in the sand, a swim, or a kayak adventure, Weed Beach caters to all tastes.
9. Cove Island Park
- Distance from Norwalk: 9 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, picnics, fishing, kayaking, hiking
- Amenities: restrooms, showers, seasonal lifeguards, picnic tables, sports courts, trails, playground
Cove Island Park, an 83-acre recreational haven in Stamford, Connecticut, is a gem nestled on Long Island Sound.
It boasts two sandy beaches, a rollerblade/cycling path, a playground, and a one-mile walk/run trail, making it a sought-after destination for locals and tourists alike.
This park also offers a unique chance for bird enthusiasts with its wildlife sanctuary, recognized by the National Audubon Society for its rich biodiversity.
The park’s accessibility comes with fees, even for Stamford residents.
Despite the parking costs, visitors find the park’s amenities and activities appealing.
From barbecuing in the grass area to observing the diverse species of birds and butterflies, Cove Island Park is a haven of nature and recreation.
10. Old Mill Beach
- Distance from Norwalk: 7 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, picnics
- Amenities: paid parking
Positioned on the shores of Long Island Sound, Old Mill Beach in Westport serves as a tranquil retreat over its modest 1.8-acre span.
The sandy beach, open from May 1 through September 30, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., draws in visitors with its stunning views of the sunrise and sunset over the waters.
For those craving a quieter beach experience, Old Mill Beach is a prime choice.
Although the beach doesn’t provide a restroom or changing facilities, has limited parking, and lacks lifeguards, its charming simplicity keeps locals and visitors coming back.
Please note, access for motor vehicles and motorcycles requires a valid Parks and Recreation vehicle parking emblem, and a $70 fee applies for non-residents during the weekend.
With kayaking or canoeing not permitted, the beach remains a peaceful viewing point of Long Island Sound.
11. Kiwanis Beach
- Distance from Norwalk: 4 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, picnics
- Amenities: restrooms, showers, lifeguards, picnic tables, playground
Located just 4 miles from Norwalk, Kiwanis Beach, operated by the New Canaan Parks & Recreation Department, offers an ideal summer retreat.
Open from June to August, this man-made, spring-fed pond features a sandy beach that upholds state cleanliness standards.
It is lined with large shade umbrellas and sun chairs, perfect for leisurely days.
Families can revel in a new playground structure, and the pavilion boasts separate restrooms, a snack bar, and a picnic deck.
Compared to saltwater options, fees are a modest $15 for families and adults, while seniors can enter for free.
Non-residents can also enjoy the facilities for a $75 fee.
The beach is a children’s favorite, complete with sand castles and long, exciting slides, making Kiwanis Beach the top pick for family outings.
