Gooseberry Beach
Gooseberry Beach
4
About
Located along the iconic Ocean Drive, this white sand beach is nestled in a quiet cove, boasting calm and gentle waters—perfect for swimming and snorkeling. There are minimal amenities, so come prepared with food and drinks, beach chairs, and anything you need for a relaxing day at the beach. Otherwise, there's always the nearby Gooseberry Cafe for quick bites. The beach closes by the early evening, so you may want to start your day in the morning to maximize your trip and the per-vehicle entrance fee, especially during the busy summer months. – Tripadvisor
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
135 reviews
Excellent
67
Very good
43
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10
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10
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5
Catbabe
Wilmington, DE169 contributions
Sep 2022
We went off season so there was not a parking fee. We did not go into the water but just brought chairs to sit on the beach, which provided a beautiful view. My problem is that the next day we went which was not on a weekend, upon pulling into the parking lot we were told that we could not go onto the beach that day as it is now a private beach. I don't believe it. I think that someone paid a person to sit there with a sign so that they could be guaranteed parking for a wedding to be held on the private section of this beach. I didn't argue because we had another place to go and have a picnic lunch. Just want to avoid someone else being disappointed.
Written September 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Allie R
Ottawa, Canada14 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
Pros: Washrooms near the beach, a short walk from the parking lot, and a lovely beach with good sand, not much current, somewhat sheltered even when it's windy elsewhere, and pretty views of mansions and rocks. There's also rocks to climb on, or to swim out to. It's not that big a beach, but it's not crowded at all. The sand is nice to walk on, doesn't get too hot for your feet, and doesn't stick to the feet too much (easy to dust off). I can see why it's one of my friend's favourite beaches in the area!
Cons: The lifeguard didn't seem to be on the perch very often; parking is expensive; while you may be able to park very close to the beach to load/unload the car, the actual parking is a bit of a walk (not too bad, but worth noting if you have a sprained ankle like I did!); and it turns out there's an additional washroom around back for when selfish teenage girls use the washroom to change and/or primp even when they know there's a lineup (there's changing cabins nearby, but I guess they're too small... even though they're dry and cleaner!).
Cons: The lifeguard didn't seem to be on the perch very often; parking is expensive; while you may be able to park very close to the beach to load/unload the car, the actual parking is a bit of a walk (not too bad, but worth noting if you have a sprained ankle like I did!); and it turns out there's an additional washroom around back for when selfish teenage girls use the washroom to change and/or primp even when they know there's a lineup (there's changing cabins nearby, but I guess they're too small... even though they're dry and cleaner!).
Written August 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth S
11 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Beautiful beach. The sand was so soft and the water was the perfect temperature (early September during the heat wave). There was some seaweed (not as much as we saw at other beaches) but no fishy smell. We biked in (so no charge) and then came back the next afternoon with the car and was told it was "sticker parking only" even though we saw nothing online limiting parking.
Written September 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philip M
New York City, NY744 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
Soft gray sand, minimal waves, clear water, bathrooms and fresh water rinse and changing rooms.
I went the week after labor day so it wasn’t crowded at all, no fee to park either.
When I went the water was a bit chilly to swim but ok for a quick dip.
Beautiful surroundings with the rock outcroppings and the big old homes nearby.
I went the week after labor day so it wasn’t crowded at all, no fee to park either.
When I went the water was a bit chilly to swim but ok for a quick dip.
Beautiful surroundings with the rock outcroppings and the big old homes nearby.
Written September 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sloansummer999999
New York City, NY1 contribution
May 2018 • Friends
This was once a lovely jewel of a beach. Now it has sewer waste leaking right into the children’s swimming area, the water is dirty and there are endless piles of rotted seaweed. The smell is impossible to ignore...It used to be clean, low key and friendly and the management valued the patronage of locals who supported the beach before it was exploited. Now it’s just a cash cow-where the cash goes is the big question as the guest facilities are filthy, old, and dilapidated. The guests visiting pay a premium to come here (and fund the member only side which is nice but not as nice as it should be considering the money taken in daily) and have to use broken toilets, subpar showers with half working fixtures and change in dirty cob webfilled changing rooms. The lifeguards do not watch the kids so be careful and the staff moves at a snails pace. It’s also primarily tourists now and Newport businesses that scoop up all the season passes to offer high priced “beach days” for their patrons. I guess the management doesn’t care about locals who grew up on this beach, care for the beach’s preservation and can’t even get a pass or a parking spot anymore. Terrible shame -I just hope the members realize what’s happening and seriously inquire as to where the money collected is being spent. It’s definitely not being reinvested in the property, the preservation/image of the beach or the safety of guests visiting.
Written May 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roozdar_11
Nesconset, NY1 contribution
Jun 2011
My name is Ellie. R. My family and myself were near gooseberry beach club on 6/19/2011. We helped a family whom their 7 year old son, fell down on the cliffs and had a heavy bleeding on the back of his head. We contacted the police, and waited till ambulance came and picked them up to the near by hospital. We were shaken and got so exhausted, in the middle of the day and needed to use the bathroom to wash up. When we arrived at the Gooseberry beach and asked very kindly to use the bathroom, they declined. My 20 year old son was so surprised and tried to reason with them, but they were attempting to call the security on us, so we had no choice but leaving.
Just wanted to share this with the people to read this comment and ask them to think twice about being the member of this private beach club. With the employees that are trained to act as a robot and not having the human heart in cases of emergencies. I will keep them in my prayers!
After all, we are all one....
Peace be with you all!
Ellie. R
Just wanted to share this with the people to read this comment and ask them to think twice about being the member of this private beach club. With the employees that are trained to act as a robot and not having the human heart in cases of emergencies. I will keep them in my prayers!
After all, we are all one....
Peace be with you all!
Ellie. R
Written June 20, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pjbaum2017
Newport, RI13 contributions
Aug 2017
Gooseberry beach is privately owned by the members but sell limited tickets to non-members of the beach. Buy your season parking passes early or you may be turned away, as parking is limited.
Written March 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lauren W
Boston, MA55 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
If you don't like seaweed, do not come here. There is sea grass growing from the bottom and you have to walk through it to get into the water. It's so gross and there is too much wildlife lurking below. Really, so many fish swimming around your legs, no thanks. No waves because it s in a cove, which makes it safe for kids but then you have to expect many kids, let's just say it's a little less relaxing. Usually the sound of waves drowns out your neighbor's conversation but not at this beach. $25 to park on the weekends. There are better options.
Written August 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mismal64
Oak Creek, WI40 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
Bonus, they rent chairs, umbrellas and have kayaks to use included in the $20 fee for access which is great for those who are traveling and want to be comfortable on the beach without spending a fortune. The fee is about the same you would pay if you have out of state plates on your car at any other beach. Too bad that the water is full of seaweed including at least a 20ft area to walk thru packed in the sand leading to the water. My guess is this just may be a seasonal thing being it is mid July but I don't claim to know a lot about the ocean seaweed growth. Kids didn't really seem to mind but i did hear numerous comments from adults they would not go into the water due to the seaweed including myself. Plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the sunshine and the beautiful view of the ocean
Otherwise, clean restrooms, snack bar and a changing area that may need some work.
Otherwise, clean restrooms, snack bar and a changing area that may need some work.
Written July 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CaroleDooley
Mount Pleasant, SC1 contribution
The snack shack is wonderful....the food, staff and fabulous ambience are a surprise treat! The snack shack is so well operated....everyone is so sweet.
Written August 16, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We just bought a townhouse in Newport. How do we get a resident beach pass for the season?
Written April 11, 2021
Is this beach open to out of town residents (From CT where our CoVid numbers have stayed steadily low since June)
Is there parking?
Written August 16, 2020
Just in off season October - May
Written August 25, 2017
wenwit2
Worcester, Massachusetts
Is parking free with s pass for state beaches?
Written August 13, 2017
I don't believe so, but I am not completely sure.
Written August 24, 2017
There weren't any when we were there.
Written July 23, 2017
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