Point Judith, Rhode Island – Surf, Seafood & Block Island Gateway
A working fishing port, a historic lighthouse, the best seafood in New England, and some of the best waves on the East Coast.
This is one of the better destinations in The Summer of 100 Beaches. You can park your car when you arrive and not need it until you leave. Everything here is well within biking distance from the campground.
Pt. Judith has the best seafood in New England. Rhode Island has all the seafood the all other New Engand states have and it also has a strong Portuguese influence on seafood that is different and delicious. You’ll find food here you won’t find elsewhere in New England.
Point Judith is the southeastern tip of Rhode Island, anchoring the towns of Narragansett and Galilee. It’s a different kind of beach destination — less about boardwalks and more about fishing boats, rocky shores, and powerful surf. The ferry to Block Island leaves from here, and the local seafood doesn’t get any fresher.
🏕️ Camping – Fishermen’s Memorial State Park
Fishermen’s Memorial State Park is about 2 miles from Point Judith. It’s a basic, no-frills campground popular with anglers. Shaded sites, clean bathrooms, and a short bike ride to the beaches.
🏖️ Beaches – Surf, Sand & Rocky Shores
Salty Brine Beach – Galilee
Salty Brine State Beach is a smaller beach on the pier in Galilee. I’m sure parking is tough here and is another reason we ride bikes. When you ride a bike you just cruise right past the parking gate. No questions asked.
Roger Wheeler State Beach – Pt. Judith
Calmest of the local beaches, protected by the harbor wall. Good for families. Parking fills early on summer weekends.
Narragansett Town Beach – Narragansett
The most popular beach in the area. Wide, sandy, with lifeguards and facilities. Very crowded in July and August. Parking is expensive and limited — arriving by bike solves that.
Scarborough State Beach – Narragansett
Two miles of sand, divided into North and South. Stronger surf than Point Judith. A classic Rhode Island beach experience with a large parking lot (paid).
🚴 Bike Rides – Coastal Loops & Block Island Ferry
The bike riding around Point Judith is all on roads — no dedicated bike path like the Shining Sea, but the scenery is excellent. It’s also very safe. There’s no long rides here and it’s all basically flat.
You can also take your bike on the Block Island Ferry (the high-speed ferry doesn’t take bikes; use the traditional ferry). Block Island itself is a biker’s paradise with 30 miles of quiet roads. It’s been a number of years since I’ve been here but will on my next trip to Pt. Judith.
I do not have any bike rides that I’ve recorded on RideWithGPS to share for this destination. Check out the videos below for bike ride content. The is not a complicated area to ride. One ride I do is from the campground up to Narragannsett. It’s about 9 miles one way. There’s shorter rides in the area. The rule of thumb is if you don’t see the ocean then you’re off course.
🍽️ Food – Fresh Off the Boat
Galilee is a working fishing port. You can’t get fresher seafood anywhere else. I like this fishing village more than any other in New England. It’s not huge like some others. It’s smaller and compact. The fishermen are always about and friendly. You’ll feel like you are part of the fishing community.
Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House
A Rhode Island institution. Famous for clam cakes, chowder, and “doughboys” (fried dough). There’s a location in Galilee right by the Block Island ferry. Must-try: clam cakes and a cup of clear-broth chowder.
Champlin’s Seafood
As good of a seafood joint as there is. The fish you eat came off the boats outside the window.
George’s of Galilee
Right next to Champlin’s Seafood and on the pier. This is a very popular place and I have no good reason for not going there other than I went to Champlin’s, I was happy, and I keep going back.
Meldgie’s Diner
A 1/2 mile bike ride from the campground. This is an excellent diner and provides a good hearty breakfast.
📜 Local Knowledge & History
⚓ Point Judith Lighthouse
The original lighthouse was built in 1810. The current 51‑foot granite tower was built in 1857 and is still active. You can’t go inside, but the grounds are open. It’s a dramatic spot during a nor’easter — waves crash against the rocks.
🎣 Galilee – A Working Fishing Port
Galilee is one of the largest fishing ports on the East Coast. The fleet here lands everything from squid to lobster to groundfish. The best time to see the boats is early morning when they unload the catch. You can buy directly off the boat at certain docks.
🌊 The Block Island Ferry
The traditional ferry (not high-speed) takes bikes and is a lovely 1‑hour trip to Block Island. Once there, you can bike the entire island in a day. The ferry leaves from Galilee several times daily. Book ahead in summer — the bike spots fill up.
🎥 Video Highlights
📌 Tips for Point Judith & Narragansett
- Bring a bike or arrive early – Parking at the beaches is expensive and fills by 10am. On a bike, you can roll right in.
- Check the surf report – Point Judith has some of the best waves in New England. If you surf, bring your board.
- Take the ferry to Block Island – But use the traditional ferry, not the high-speed, if you have a bike.
- Buy seafood directly from the boats – In Galilee, look for the docks where they sell fresh catch.
- Iggy’s doughboys are not optional – Just go. Get the clam cakes too.
- Galilee Pier makes for a perfect sunset stroll – 150 yards across the water is Jerusalem, RI but it’s an 11 mile drive to get there.
📸 Photo Gallery
Narragansett town beach. Big wide open space. Some good surfing here.
Narragansett’s iconic Coast Guard station. Upscale dining here.
The fishing fleet of Galilee.
Champlin’s Seafood menu. I’m sure the prices are not the same.
Champlin’s Seafood market. You won’t see seafood like this anywhere else.
The ferries to Block Island at dock in Galilee.
New page created for The Summer of 100 Beaches.