Information
Landmark: Eastern Point BeachCity: Groton
Country: USA Connecticut
Continent: North America
Eastern Point Beach, Groton, USA Connecticut, North America
Overview
In Groton, Connecticut, Eastern Point Beach draws locals with its stretch of soft sand, rugged rock ledges, and wide-open views across Long Island Sound where the water glints in the sun.Local families have treasured it for years, drawn to the calm, shallow swimming spots, the kid-friendly amenities, and the view where the Thames River spills into the Sound under a wide blue sky.For generations, Groton locals have gathered at Eastern Point Beach to relax, swim, and catch the sea breeze, and in the 20th century it officially became a town-run beach.Perched at the mouth of the Thames River, it once held a key role in navigation and defense; today, Fort Griswold’s stone walls and the beam from Avery Point Lighthouse still echo Groton’s seafaring past.For decades, summer in Groton has meant heading to Eastern Point-salt on your skin, gulls wheeling overhead-a ritual woven into the town’s sense of itself.Beachfront layout and features: a broad sweep of soft sand perfect for soaking up the sun, shaping sandcastles, or wandering barefoot along the shore.The swimming area has a roped-off, knee-deep section where kids can splash safely, while the deeper water lets confident swimmers head out farther.Rocky Outcrops: Parts of the beach are studded with rough, weathered rock-ideal for poking around tidepools, casting a fishing line, or just feeling the cool salt spray on your face.Picnic and Play: Stretch out on the grass near a picnic table, let the kids race to the playground, and cool off under the wide shade of an old oak tree for a space that feels made for families.You’ll find a seasonal snack bar serving hot fries, along with restrooms and showers, so it’s easy to spend the whole day here.Visitors can take in sweeping views of Long Island Sound, watch the Thames River glint in the sunlight, and gaze all the way out toward Fisher’s Island.From the beach, you can watch the Thames River come alive-sleek sailboats sliding past, fishing boats chugging home with the scent of salt and diesel, even the occasional naval submarine gliding out from the nearby base.Along the shoreline and in the tidepools, you’ll often spot seabirds wheeling overhead, crabs scuttling sideways, and tiny flashes of silver from darting fish.Swimming & sunbathing: Soft waves lap the shore, and the warm sand underfoot makes this a timeless summer escape.Fishing & crabbing are easy here-the rocks and jetties draw anglers with rods and families hauling nets and baited traps that clink against the stone.Walking and relaxing here feels easy-the beach is smaller than others nearby, yet its snug stretch of sand makes it even more inviting.Community Events: The town puts on family activities and seasonal celebrations-think pumpkin carving in October-that draw neighbors together.The beach usually opens from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and in summer you’ll spot lifeguards watching the waves from their tall wooden chairs.Residents can pick up seasonal passes, but visitors pay by the day-think ten dollars at the gate.Parking’s available only for passholders or visitors paying the daily fee, with marked spaces just steps from the sand.Accessibility: Ramps and smooth walkways make it easy for most visitors to reach the beach, even with a stroller or wheelchair.Eastern Point Beach isn’t just a strip of sand-it’s a local landmark where families have gathered for decades, kids’ laughter carrying on the salty breeze each summer.It’s where Groton’s seaside spirit comes alive, a place that mixes leisure, ocean views, and the scent of salt in the air.
