This CT Beach Named Among 'Best Secret Beaches' In America: Report

STONINGTON, CT — The editors of Southern Living magazine, who know a thing or two about quality beaches, have just named duBois Beach in Stonington to their list of the "Best Secret Beaches in the USA."

Does that mean the secret's out? And what's a"secret beach," anyway?

In the lexicon of the Southern Living critics, it means "obscure and relatively well-hidden." Secret beaches are those where agoraphobic dune striders can find an uncrowded stretch of smooth sand and bask in "the magnificent seaside isolation of it all."

Certainly, duBois Beach more than qualifies. The enclave is at the southernmost tip of Water Street, and despite its magnificent views of Stonington Harbor, Fisher's Island Sound, and Little Narragansett Bay, it's a beach blanket desert most times.

Not surprisingly, Southern Living's list is filled with stretches of quiet coastline from Hawaii, California, Florida and the Carolinas. duBois is the only contestant from Connecticut, and one of only three primo secret beaches to be found in New England.

The editors ranked duBois No. 17 on their Top 20 list. Oahu's little-trafficked Lanikai Beach claimed the top spot, followed by Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys, and Bahia Súcia in Puerto Rico.

Owned by the Stonington Village Improvement Association and managed by the Stonington Community Center, duBois has long been a darling of the beach-erati for years. In 2018, The Boston Globe tapped it as one of the top 20 best beaches to visit in the New England area.

duBois Beach is open with lifeguards on duty Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 22 through Labor Day weekend. It opens for weekends beginning Memorial Day weekend. Season passes are available for individual adults and families. Day passes are $10 per person. Children 18 and under access the beach for free. Parking is also free of charge in the public lot adjacent to the beach. More information and passes are available online at the beach's website.