Rhode Island has a whopping 400 miles of saltwater shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean, hence our appropriate nickname, The Ocean State. And while we’ve got a large number of enviable beaches in our small state, there are also plenty of hidden gems only locals know about.

Little Compton’s South Shore Beach isn’t exactly a little known spot. But we do happen to think it’s an underrated treasure.

South Shore Beach is a small, rocky beach in Little Compton in Newport County.

Brian P / TripAdvisor The uninterrupted ocean views are fantastic.

South Shore Beach is a bit, for lack of a better word, complicated.

Don C / TripAdvisor It’s both beautifully unspoiled and a little brash, depending on the season and which part of it you use.

In the summertime, this beach is often bustling with swimmers, surfers, and sunbathers.

Roger Williams / Flickr Most of the beaches in the Little Compton area are private. Since this one isn’t, it’s often the locals’ winner by default. And the people watching here is great.

But this beach also has a quiet, peaceful side, which is where you enter the enter Goosewing Beach Preserve.

Roger Williams / Flickr This nature preserve is more quiet and peaceful.

In the off-season, the beach tends to stay uncrowded, a perfect place for an afternoon stroll or a sunset viewing.

Joe LeClair / Google This is truly a beach for all seasons.

South Shore Beach is situated at the outer edge of Buzzards Bay, where its shores are swept by waves coming in from the Atlantic.

Roger Williams / Flickr This tends to bring in the striped bass and other fish, so you might see people fishing along the shoreline.

It won’t be long before we’re all enjoying Rhode Island’s beautiful beaches again.

Derek L / Google And when that happens, make sure to spend some time at this underrated spot.

Have you spent any time at South Shore Beach?

Brian P / TripAdvisor

The uninterrupted ocean views are fantastic.

Don C / TripAdvisor

It’s both beautifully unspoiled and a little brash, depending on the season and which part of it you use.

Roger Williams / Flickr

Most of the beaches in the Little Compton area are private. Since this one isn’t, it’s often the locals’ winner by default. And the people watching here is great.

This nature preserve is more quiet and peaceful.

Joe LeClair / Google

This is truly a beach for all seasons.

This tends to bring in the striped bass and other fish, so you might see people fishing along the shoreline.

Derek L / Google

And when that happens, make sure to spend some time at this underrated spot.

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Address: South Shore Beach, S Shore Rd, Little Compton, RI 02837, USA