If you desire quiet beauty by a peaceful shore, or are a boater, happy to eschew the mad crush and high prices of Newport Harbor, or a swimmer not looking for rough surf or unpredictable piles of red seaweed, then you might want to try Third Beach in Middletown.
Situated down the hill from the Norman Bird Sanctuary, and just beyond popular Second Beach, Third Beach is a three-quarter mile crescent of soft sand along the banks of the Sakonnet River, just before it opens into the Atlantic.
It is an ideal beach to keep an eye on smaller children while the water laps at their feet as they explore the shore, and a fine place to sit under the umbrella and read.
A Beach and a Harbor
According to Third Beach Harbor Master, Steve Ponte, the harbor is a hidden gem; a real sailing hideaway and a perfect overnight stopover for boats on the way to and from Cape Cod and the Islands.
The harbor has 65 moorings, 58 of which are private, and 7 of which belong to the town of Middletown. These seven rent out for $20 per 24 hours, or $100 per week, with an unofficial one week limit to avoid having them monopolized. At the southernmost end of the harbor, sailors are welcome to drop anchor for free. No launch service is provided to moorings or anchorage.
read the entire article on South Coast Prime Times at http://issuu.com/coastalmags/docs/scpt_spring11
