Rhode Island isn’t called the Ocean State for nothing. This little state is big on beaches, and big on sea glass, too. In fact, some of the most beautiful sea glass can be found in this tiny spot.

One of the reasons Rhode Island is such a fantastic place to find sea glass is that it has incredible access to the coast. Unlike some states, like Connecticut for example, Rhode Island’s beaches are very accessible. While Rhode Island has its fair share of private beaches, it prides itself on the public right of way that leads to the sandy shoreline. Remember, the area between mean high and low tide is in the public domain. So if you have public access, once you’re on the beach, you can walk wherever you want, even if it’s in front of a private house. Just don’t sunbathe on the owner’s lawn and you’ll be fine.

Here are some places you can go to find sea glass in Little Rhodie.

— Scarborough Beach. This is a public state beach that gets very crowded in the summer, especially on hot sunny days. But if you’re vacationing in Rhode Island and it’s a cool, cloudy day, head to Scarborough and start looking for sea glass. The glass found here is very smooth and very well ground. Low tide is the best time to go. If it’s low tide before the beach officially opens, you’ll have better luck finding some nice pieces and won’t have to fight the crowds. In fact, most state and municipal public beaches, including Misquamicut, Narragansett, are also good spots for these little gems.

—Jamestown. Jamestown is an island between Newport and the mainland, accessible only by bridge. Near the center of town is a nice stretch of beach that is often littered with sea glass, including extremely rare colors like red and black. Parking is limited and this is a public beach, so the best time to look for beach glass is in the off-season or on cloudy days. Just about every Jamestown beach has its share of these frosty gems.
—Cominicut Point Park. This is a secluded seaside park in Warwick that has a very nice volume of beach glass. This is a public park with plenty of beach to hunt for sea glass and is known as one of the best places for beach glass in the state.

—Colt State Park, a rocky beach accessible only at low tide, located in Bristol. It is also one of the most beautiful places in the state.

—Island of blocks. This is a must see place if you are visiting Rhode Island, not only because of the glass of the beach, but because it is a true gem that you cannot miss. Block Island is only accessible by ferry, but it’s well worth the trip. The island is surrounded by beaches, most of which are publicly accessible.

If you’re vacationing in Rhode Island, ask the locals where the best sea glass beaches are in your area. It’s a great cloudy day activity for the whole family.