Marconi Beach

Marconi Beach is an expansive beach 6 miles north of the Salt Pond Visitor's Center on Route 6A that seems to stretch on for miles, so don't' be too alarmed if the parking lot is packed with cars.

It sits below a bluff offering spectacular views and a good cardio workout to boot.

Named after Guglielmo Marconi, the Italian inventor and businessman who transmitted the first transatlantic wireless communication between the United States and England in 1903, Marconi Beach remains a favorite destination for both locals and visitors.

With soft sand, some brisk waves, and plenty of room to spread your beach paraphernalia, Marconi draws both couples and families.

It can be rocky, and we've certainly been battered by stones, emerging from body surfing with bloodied knees and hips, but that never stopped us from going back into the (can you guess) freezing water!

There isn't a snack bar, so make sure to lug in your own food and drinks because if you're like us, as soon as you sit down in your beach chair, you're ready for a snack.

In fact, if you look around, most people spend the day eating, reaching their hands into their coolers. Hey, it's a day on the beach, why not?

They have great changing facilities, bathroom and toilets, accessible by a relatively new boardwalk. And because the parking lot is so vast, you are allowed to drop off passengers and your gear and most folks take advantage of this particularly on the way out.

Entrance fees are $15.00 per car and be sure to check the chalkboards at the gate for water temperatures. (wink, wink)