Salty Brine State Beach
Classic Rhode Island State Beach Near Galilee Fishing Village — Sandy Swimming Beach on Block Island Sound, Free Admission, Concession Stand, Restrooms and Changing Facilities, Adjacent to the Port of Galilee and Block Island Ferry Terminal, Fishing From the Nearby Breakwater, Named for Beloved Rhode Island TV Personality “Salty” Brine, Near Narragansett Point Judith South County Rhode Island
Salty Brine State Beach (formerly Galilee State Beach, renamed 1990) is a state beach on Block Island Sound in the village of Galilee, Narragansett, Rhode Island, managed by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM). The beach features a sandy swimming beach on Block Island Sound with views of Block Island, free admission (one of Rhode Island’s few no-fee state beaches), a concession stand with food and beverages, restrooms and changing facilities, adjacency to the Port of Galilee — Rhode Island’s largest commercial fishing port — and the Block Island Ferry terminal, fishing from the nearby breakwater for striped bass, bluefish, and fluke, a small but family-friendly atmosphere in one of Rhode Island’s most charming fishing villages, and proximity to other South County beaches and attractions.
Salty Brine is tiny compared to nearby state beaches like Scarborough and Roger Wheeler — but its charm is the location. Sitting right next to the Galilee fishing docks and the Block Island Ferry, visitors can watch fishing boats unload the day’s catch and catch a ferry to Block Island all from the same parking lot.
The beach was renamed in 1990 for “Salty” Brine (born Harold Brine Reilly), a beloved Rhode Island radio and television personality known for his weather forecasts and signature catchphrase “no school, Foster-Glocester.”
Things to Do
- Swimming — sandy Block Island Sound beach
- Free admission — rare for RI state beaches
- Fishing — breakwater: stripers, blues, fluke
- Galilee village — fishing port, seafood
- Block Island Ferry — adjacent terminal
- Concessions — food, changing facilities
Beach Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Galilee, Narragansett, RI |
| Water | Block Island Sound — ocean |
| Admission | Free |
| Named For | “Salty” Brine — RI TV personality (1990) |
| Adjacent | Port of Galilee, Block Island Ferry |
| Camping | ❌ Day-use only |
| Managed By | Rhode Island DEM |
| Coordinates | 41.3817° N, 71.5033° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salty Brine State Beach free?
Yes — Salty Brine State Beach in Galilee, Narragansett, Rhode Island has free admission, making it one of RI’s few no-fee state beaches. The sandy Block Island Sound beach features a concession stand, restrooms, and changing facilities, and sits adjacent to the Port of Galilee fishing port and the Block Island Ferry terminal. Named for beloved RI TV personality “Salty” Brine in 1990. Great breakwater fishing for striped bass and bluefish. Managed by Rhode Island DEM.
Last updated: May 2026
