I've planned a trip to start at Silver Sands Beach. How far out is Charles Island? We will stay in Branford for 3 days so we can do some crabbing, shell collecting, Thimble Islands and sunbathing. I'm traveling with a teen and an 8yr old that's afraid of the waves. I'm looking to make everyone happy. Parasailing for one and shallow tidal pools and a pirate ship ride and water park for the other. We will also spend 2 days farther north maybe New London or Mystic. Any suggestions for beaches that offer everything we're looking for.

What am I missing here? Silver Sands Beach is in Florida. Then you are looking in CT. You will find none of what you are looking for in CT that I know of and I live here.

Silver Stands State Park IS in Milford CT. The water along the LI sound tends to be very calm - no waves that would frighten an 8yr old.

There really won't be much shell collectig on those beaches - maybe some broken clam and oyster shells, but nothing like you'd find on Sanibel/Captiva in Florida.

Charles Island is about 1/2 mile offshore.

I'm not sure where you're from, but I moved to CT from North Carolina year ago, and do be prepared for a very different beach experience... not in a good way. Water is much colder, and not as clear. CT isn't a big beach state.... RI isn't alot better (for all the same above reasons), but alot of people from CT go to the Rhode Island beaches.... Could you get to the Cape instead? Still COLD water, but it is prettier.....

Thank you all for your input. Although I've read many reviews and have been warned by you, there is a method to my madness. We have visited every state south of NY and now we are going to start the north and Ct is the closest to us and our kids get grouchy on long trips. My husband wants to get away from the neon boardwalk money pits. From all my reasearch it appears that there is no such thing there. Am I right?

you are correct.
The shoreline around Branford and Madison is very small-town in feeling. Not Myrtle Beachish at all.

Could you recommend a good crabbing spot where we could swim also?

Growing up in CT in the late 70s and early 80s we went often to Ocean Beach in New London. Not glamorous but it does have swimming in Long Island Sound and inner marshes where we would tie mussels to string and catch crabs - all at one beach. I haven't been to ocean beach in years so I am not sure what else they now have there, but there is a mile long board walk. There used to be a kitty pool and pool, arcade, mini-golf, playground and concession stands. You may wish to check that out. It is only around a 15 minute ride from Mystic or around 30 minutes from Branford.

I live in Connecticut and I think you are making a mistake. We're not really a beach destination. Oh, we have town beaches -- my town has two -- and state beaches, but they front Long Island Sound. Fine for residents, but not much a a draw for others. If you do want to stay in CT, I'd recommend the Mystic area, which is very convenient to Rhode Island.

That is because the situation improves dramatically across the border (contrary to the post above). The water is clean and there are state beaches providing access. Two or three spots are a bit honky-tonk. The rest is wild. The problem is that most of these beaches have surf (though it can range from flat calm to heavy). At Watch Hill, there is surf on one side of Napatree Point, bay swimming on the other.

At the other end of the state (45 minutes away) in Newport, which also has a mix of ocean and protected waters. This is also your best bet for a boat ride in the harbor.

Block Island also has a choice of beaches and surf condition, and advertises parasailing. It's an easy day trip from Newport or Watch Hill.

Finally, you could consider the Cape. The south facing beaches of Falmouth, etc have calm waters. The islands offer both surf and bay. And some of the towns border Massachusetts Bay, which is generally calm.

You can find spots for crabbing in most of these locations (just ask at a bait shop), and fishing in all. Shelling is usually better on the ocean beaches.

So -- I hope I've convinced you to cast your net a bit wider. I think you'd be happier further along the coast.