Pleasure Beach

Pleasure Beach stands guard at the entrance to Bridgeport Harbour. On the same narrow barrier beach peninsula as the better-known Long Beach, Pleasure Beach has a much more natural appearance. Its pale sand is mixed with shingle and pebbles from Long Island Sound, alongside occasional pockets of coastal grasses and areas of washed-up seaweed.

Brought back to life in 2014, the area around Pleasure Beach had been Connecticut’s largest ghost town after its structures were abandoned following a major fire. Today, Pleasure Beach is accessible via a free water taxi service departing from Bridgeport’s Seaview Avenue fishing pier. It runs roughly every 20 minutes and currently operates only on weekends and holidays during the summer. The last water taxi departs Pleasure Beach at 4 pm.

On arrival, visitors will find a stretch of pristine sand around 30 yards long. A pavilion with restrooms and showers, and a good number of picnic tables, are located close by. There is no guarantee of anywhere to purchase food or drink. 

During bird nesting season (usually before the beach opens to the public), portions of Pleasure Beach may be roped off to protect plovers. Other animals to look out for include raccoons, rabbits, foxes and deer.