Major city · United States
Matunuck
Go for one beach day or a single night in summer: surf at Deep Hole, eat at the Ocean Mist, skip if you want a town with year-round life.
Matunuck is a summer beach village in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, on the Atlantic shore of Block Island Sound. It is a strip of beach roads, a public town beach, a private beach, a surf break, a 1933 theatre and a handful of bars and delis. One night or one long beach day covers it; the rest of South County is 10–20 minutes by car.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (beach and theatre season)
- avoid Nov–Mar (most businesses closed; cold, windy shore)
- Airports
- PVD · BOS
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Matunuck911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison Control1-800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Matunuck, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA quiet shore village; the real risks are ocean conditions (cold water, rip currents), summer Route 1 traffic and seasonal closures rather than crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 1-800-222-1222 Poison Control
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPVD Rhode Island T.
- Getting aroundThe village is small enough to walk: beach, deli, surf shop and bar are all on or just off Matunuck Beach Road.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$8–15
- BeerDraft beer at a beach bar$6–9
- Budget bedWeekly beach house (per night share), a night, per roomUS$200
- Mid-range bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$200
- High-end bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$350
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PVD Rhode Island T. F. Green Airport (About 40 min by car via Route 1.) · BOS Boston Logan International (About 1 h 30 min by car; the longer but bigger-gateway option.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Apr (11 rain days), driest Sep (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Matunuck: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
10 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is small enough to walk: beach, deli, surf shop and bar are all on or just off Matunuck Beach Road. A car is the practical way in and out — Route 1 is the main road, and the Matunuck Beach Road exit works best from the northbound side, with a U-turn needed for some southbound approaches. A bike works well along the flat shore roads.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 15 min
Drive Route 1 north, about 10–15 min
Year-round restaurants, groceries and the main town services.
Door to door: About 20 min
Drive Route 1 north, about 15–20 min
Bigger beach town with more food and lodging; good rainy-day fallback.
Westerly and Watch Hill
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Drive Route 1 south, about 30–40 min
Pair with Watch Hill for a second beach day.
Door to door: 2 h+
Drive to Point Judith or Galilee, then the ferry
Ferry plus island time is a full day at best; sleep over if you can.
Door to door: About 45 min
Drive Route 1 north to I-95, about 45 min
Doable as a day, but it is a city trip, not a beach add-on.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Matunuck Beach Road strip
Walk to both beaches, the deli, the surf shop and the Ocean Mist; the only real base in the village.
Wakefield / South Kingstown centre
10–15 min by car; more year-round rooms, restaurants and groceries.
Narragansett
15–20 min north; bigger beach town with more lodging and a wider choice of food.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–200 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or inn double room1 × 1 night × US$200 | US$200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| South Kingstown Town Beach parking pass, non-resident, full year1 × US$75 | US$75 |
| Theatre By the Sea ticket2 × US$65 | US$130 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$69 |
| Trip total≈ US$377 per person per day, bed included | US$754 |
Summer weekend rates run higher.
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Diner breakfast | $8–15 |
| Deli sandwich | $10–16 |
| Ice cream cone | $4–7 |
| Draft beer at a beach bar | $6–9 |
| Surfboard rental, per day | $30–60 |
| Theatre By the Sea ticket | $52–78 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Parking at South Kingstown Town Beach needs a seasonal pass for residents and non-residents; walk-on access is free. Confirm current rates and rules before you drive in.
- Deep Hole and the other beaches face open Atlantic swell: strong currents and cold water even in summer. Swim near lifeguards where posted.
- Most restaurants, the ice cream shop and the theatre run in season only; off-season the village is very quiet.
- The two ATMs in the village (Ocean Mist, Seaview Marketplace) charge a fee and are not refilled often — bring cash from Wakefield or Narragansett.
- Route 1 traffic backs up on summer weekends; add time for the last few kilometres.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Poison Control
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MatunuckMatunuck
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison Control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No consulates in the village; nearest consulates-general are in Boston, about 1 h 30 min by car.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Providence airport (PVD) → Matunuck by car: about 40 min; rideshare or taxi cost check
- Town beach parking pass, non-resident: $75 for a full year
- Theatre By the Sea ticket: $52–78
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the beach? — Where is the beach?
- Can I park here? — Can I park here?
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Matunuck. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (beach and theatre season) · avoid Nov–Mar (most businesses closed; cold, windy shore) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Beach-day contract: parking pass rules, walk-on access, lifeguard hours and a rain plan, field-checked.
- Surf and wind window: swell and sea-breeze notes for Deep Hole, with rental and lesson options.
- Seasonal opening table for the deli, ice cream shop, theatre and bars, so off-season readers are not sent to closed doors.
- Two-night South County loop: Matunuck plus Narragansett or Wakefield, with drive times.
Sources
- officialSouth Kingstown — town beaches and passes
- officialTheatre By the Sea
- officialThe Ocean Mist
- secondaryWikivoyage: Matunuck, revision 3821023 (CC BY-SA 4.0)