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King's Beach

Location: Newport, RI
Exposure: southeast
Depth: 30'
Entry: rocky

Description

This is a good spot for a refresher dive, or dive for the inexperienced. There is a fairly easy beach entry and depths of between 25-35 feet. There are lobsters, skates, eels, flounder, bass, and tautog common here. The Eastern cove and the rocks to the South are much more interesting than the grass covered Western cove. Lock your car and take your keys with you into the water when you dive this site. Several people have had their dive gear (and other possessions) stolen after they had "hid" their keys under nearby rocks. Thieves apparently watch divers gearing up and hiding keys. Otherwise a terrific site and one of the few places that you can park around Newport.

Directions from Boston

  • Take 93-south out of the city, then take Exit 4 (left exit) onto 24-south. You'll be driving into Rhode Island on Route 24. 24-south will eventually join 114.
  • Follow 114 to the Newport line. Take a right onto 138. (This is the second time 24/114 hits 138. On this corner you will find Domino's Pizza, a Sunoco station, a Shell station, and a Dunkin Donuts. There will be a sign for "Newport Bridge - 138" on the left just before a traffic rotary. Take this turn and immediately get into the left lane. If you miss the turn, you can go all the way around the rotary and take the turn right from the other direction.
  • Take the left lane exit for "Scenic Newport". *CAUTION: This exit comes up very quickly, and if you miss it you will be headed for the long toll bridge. After you exit, you will be on "Farewell Street".
  • Bear right after passing the graveyard. This road will join the main road past the waterfront. Keep going straight until the road turns to the left in front of the "Newport Bay Club and Hotel". Stay in the middle lane here and head up the hill. Turn right on "Bellvue". You should see signs for the Bellvue mansions.
  • Follow Bellvue to the end. The road will start to loop back to the right. After the turn, take an immediate left onto Ocean Ave.
  • Kings Beach is about 2 miles down Ocean Ave on the left. There is a small sign by a dirt road. Pull in the dirt road and park. The beach is at the end of the road. * If you hit Brenton Point State Park you have gone too far.

Please select a dive site for more information:

Beavertail Light
The Dumplings
Ft. Wetherill
King's Beach

several accesses since July 28, 2000 with several per day.