Rhode Island isn’t called Ocean State for nothing. This little state is big on beaches and big on sea glass too. In fact, some of the most beautiful sea glass can be found in this tiny place.

One of the reasons Rhode Island is such a great place to find sea glass is that there is incredible access to the coast. Unlike some states, like Connecticut, for example, Rhode Island’s beaches are very accessible. While Rhode Island has its fair share of private beaches, it prides itself on public rights-of-way leading to the sandy shoreline. Remember, the area between mean high and low tide is in the public domain. So if you have public access, once you are on the beach, you can walk anywhere you want, even if you are in front of a private house. Just don’t sunbathe on the owner’s lawn and you’ll be fine.

Here are some places you can go to find sea glass in Little Rhodie.

— Scarborough Beach. This is a state public beach that gets very crowded during the summer, especially on hot, sunny days. But if you’re on vacation in Rhode Island and it’s a cool, cloudy day, head over to Scarborough and start looking for sea glass. The glass found here is very smooth and very well ground. Low tide is the best time to go. If the low tide comes before the beach officially opens, you’ll have better luck finding some pretty pieces and won’t have to fight the crowds. In fact, most state and municipal public beaches, including Misquamicut, Narragansett, are also good spots for these little gems.

— Jamestown. Jamestown is an island between Newport and the mainland, accessible only by bridge. Near the city center is a pretty stretch of beach that is often laden with sea glass, including extremely rare colors like red and black. Parking is limited and this is a public beach, so the best time to look for beach glass is during the low season or on cloudy days. Almost any Jamestown beach has its share of these frosted gems.

— Cominicut Point Park. This is a secluded coastal park in Warwick that has a very nice volume of beach glass. This is a public park with lots of beach to hunt for sea glass and is known as one of the best spots for beach glass in the state.

— Colt State Park, a rocky beach accessible only at low tide, located in Bristol. It is also one of the most beautiful places in the state.

— Block Island. This is a place not to be missed if you visit Rhode Island, not only for the beach glass, but because it is a true gem that you cannot miss. Block Island is only accessible by ferry, but it’s worth the trip. The island is surrounded by beaches, most of which have public access.

If you’re in Rhode Island on vacation, ask the locals where the best sea glass beaches are in your area. It’s a great cloudy day activity for the whole family.