Ocean Beach Park & Coast Guard Academy

About

Ocean Beach Park and the United States Coast Guard Academy sit along the southeastern Connecticut coastline in New London, offering two distinct but complementary experiences for visitors.

Ocean Beach Park is a classic New England beach destination. The half-mile sandy beach stretches along Long Island Sound, and the park includes a boardwalk, Olympic-sized pool, splash pad, miniature golf course, and picnic areas. It's the kind of place where you can spend an entire day without running out of things to do. The park operates seasonally, typically from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and charges an admission fee that varies by day of the week. Food concessions are available on-site, so you don't need to pack everything yourself.

Just a short drive away, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy welcomes visitors to its waterfront campus overlooking the Thames River. The grounds are well-maintained and open to the public, with a museum that chronicles Coast Guard history from its earliest days. When the tall ship Eagle is in port, visitors can sometimes tour the vessel. The campus itself is a pleasant place to walk, with views of the river and passing boat traffic.

Together, these two spots make for an excellent day trip. Start your morning at the Academy, explore the museum, and then head to Ocean Beach Park for an afternoon of sun, sand, and swimming. New London also has a walkable downtown with restaurants and shops if you want to extend your visit.

The area is easy to reach by car via I-95 or Route 1. Amtrak also stops in New London, making it one of the more transit-friendly beach destinations in Connecticut. Parking is available at both locations, though Ocean Beach Park's lot can fill up on hot summer weekends. Arriving before noon is a good strategy.

Whether you're drawn to military history, sandy beaches, or simply a day by the water, this corner of New London delivers a satisfying mix of all three.

Accessibility

The Coast Guard Academy campus is mostly wheelchair accessible, though visitors should be aware that some areas have steep grades. Accessible entrances to public buildings are marked with the international symbol of accessibility. The museum and main visitor areas are on accessible routes.

Ocean Beach Park features a boardwalk that provides a firm surface along portions of the beach area. Connecticut's state park system offers free beach wheelchairs at five designated state parks (Hammonasset Beach, Rocky Neck, Sherwood Island, Silver Sands, and Squantz Pond), though Ocean Beach Park is a municipal facility and may have different provisions. Contact Ocean Beach Park directly at (860) 447-3031 to ask about beach wheelchair availability and current accessibility features before your visit.

Parking at both locations includes designated accessible spaces. The pool and splash pad areas at Ocean Beach Park have paved surfaces leading to them. Restroom facilities are available at both the park and the Academy campus.

For visitors arriving by train, the New London Amtrak station is ADA compliant, and the distance to both attractions is short enough for a taxi or rideshare. Contact the Coast Guard Academy visitor center and Ocean Beach Park administration for the most current details on accessible routes, assistive services, and any seasonal accommodations that may be available.

More accessible places in Connecticut

• Mystic Aquarium (Mystic)
• New Britain Museum of American Art (New Britain)
• Yale Peabody Museum (New Haven)
• Connecticut Post Mall (Milford)
• Harkness Memorial State Park (Eolia Mansion)
• Connecticut Science Center (Hartford)