East Matunuck is a seaside village that is part of South Kingstown, in Rhode Island. It is home to East Matunuck State Beach.
Understand
editGet in
edit- By car: Off Route 1 North in South County. The exit is labeled "Jerusalem/East Matunuck" and is after the "Matunuck" exit.
Get around
editSee
edit- 1 East Matunuck State Beach, 950 Succotash Rd, ☏ +1 401 789-8585, +1 401-789-8374. M-F 9AM-6PM, Memorial Day to Labor Day. A Rhode Island State Beach that is not typically overcrowded family beach. The parking lots are a 3-5 minute walk to the beach. Many local surfers go here for the exceptional waves. At the coast guard house there are also showers and a place to buy snack food and drinks. A few hundred feet past the coast guard house there are sand dunes people can walk up to get to the beach if they have a different place to park. This is good if you want a beach with more room to spread out and relax. Non-residents $12/car, residents $6/car. Weekends: non-residents $14/car, residents $7/car.
- Ocean Avenue. Although Ocean Ave. is accessible only by the "Matunuck" exit off of Rt. 1, it ends right where East Matunuck State Beach begins. If walking the entire length of the beach interests you, this is a good starting point. There is not a parking lot at the end of Ocean Ave.
- 2 State Pier Dock (Located right next to Jim's Dock Restaurant.). This is a great place for fishing and viewing the boats moving in and out of the marina. There is a small sandy beach next to the dock that is quiet and a pleasant place for young children to play. It’s also commonly known as “Jerusalem”. Down the road past Jim’s and Skip’s dock there is a very large dock with beach on one side. On the side closer to the restaurant’s it is still considered state beach. On the other side it is considered private property but the house there hasn’t been occupied in years so again, people ignore the sign. Many people fish and jump off the dock during the summer. It’s also a great place to fish by spear or net under the dock for eels, rock crab, small flounder, and a decent amount of bass. Legally to spearfish here you are supposed to have a license. The dock is almost always full of half broken lobster traps, and usually where you will find either a stray or just lost dog. Down the road from the dock another 100 yards or so there is the fish and wildlife building that is usually empty. The path behind it isn’t so much wild life as it is a two-mile dirt and sand road leading to a dozen or so small houses.
- 3 Succotash Marsh Management Area. Off of Succotash road, North of East Matunuck Beach lies 145 acres of salt marsh. This is a good area for bird watching. It is refuge to many Egrets, Herons, Plovers, Sandpipers, Gulls, Ducks, and Osprey. Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has an office here. There are educational walks on request. Duck hunting is permitted during fall season.
Do
edit- 1 Brousseau Park (located off of Succotash Rd, on the left before the fork in the road). A safe and clean park, on the left before the fork in the road. The left side of the fork leads to Snug Harbor and Kenport Marina, the right side of the fork leads to the state beach and Jerusalem point. The park has a basketball court which is rather active in the summer time with pickup basketball games. The park includes a soccer field, and small baseball diamond. There are soccer games young and old almost every single weekend between spring and fall. Little league baseball games are played very often here as well. Between the basketball courts and the soccer field there is also a very small playground.
- 2 Matunuck Marina (Matunuck Marina) (Located off of Succotash Rd), ☏ +1 401-314-0468, matunuckmarina@gmail.com. Monday-Friday. Annual and Transient rentals available.
- 3 Potters Pond. Access is off of Wakamo Park (697 Succotash Rd.) The pond offers beautiful views of foliage in the fall. One can also explore Sugar and Sycamore Coves by this access point. Kayak and boat rentals are available at Wakamo Park and nearby marinas.
Buy
edit- 1 Snug Harbor Marina, 410 Gooseberry Rd, ☏ +1 401 783-7766. Seasonal, Summer Hours: 5AM to 8PM daily, for fall hours please call. Snug Harbor Marina is a full service marina that carries saltwater fishing bait and tackle, including products from Penn International, St. Croix, Old Harbor Outfitters, Grundens and Gibb's Lures. The tackle shop also offers charter boat fishing booking and daily fishing reports. During the summer hours, the marina offers a full service fuel dock featuring Valvetec Marine Fuels. Aside from fishing needs, the marina also has a fish market that features daily caught fish and lobsters.
Eat
edit- 1 Cap'n Jack's, 706 Succotash Rd, ☏ +1 401-789-4556. A staple for South County locals. The large menu and dining area makes this a great place for big groups. Outdoor pick-up window makes it convenient for those in a hurry or looking to eat at the beach or nearby marinas. Plates are $10-30. Bus tours with a meal are offered for groups. To the left of the main dining building is a small offshoot that specifically sells various desserts.
- 2 Jim's Dock, 1175 Succotash Rd, ☏ +1 401-783-2050. A fun local place with good seafood. Plates are $5-15. BYOB. Outdoor seating overlooking the marina is available. The easy-going atmosphere and close proximity to the State Pier Dock makes this a family favorite. This is also a good place to schedule fishing charters, or a day long boat cruise.
- 3 Matunuck Oyster Bar, 629 Succotash R, ☏ +1 401-783-4202. A great place for fresh seafood. Oysters are farm raised in the pond adjacent to the restaurant. Costumers can watch oysters being harvested as they dine. Plates are $15-30. Outdoor seating overlooking the oyster pond is available. Right outside the restaurant there is a small bridge which has always been a popular place for young people to jump off during high tides. Across the water there is a row of private homes with dock access as well. There is a sign that says no jumping, but like every sign in the area, people see this as almost an invitation to do the opposite. Fishing next to the no fishing sign, jumping off next to the no jumping sign, or parking directly under the no parking sign. Farm tours are available. Touring the farm is an educational and enjoyable experience for the entire family.
- 4 Skip's Dock, 5 Beach Row. A quaint seafood market near the State Pier Dock. Prices vary with market. This is a good place for those looking to get food on the run.
Drink
editSleep
editSee Matunuck or South Kingstown or Wakefield (Rhode Island).