This beach is nice and clean for anyone looking for one in the Fairfield County Area. However, there is a limited day pass system in effect, so it is wise to come early and prepare backup plan. If you are coming from outside of the Westport area, be prepared. Your day may depend on it.
Day Pass Information: There are a limited number of non-resident day passes sold in order to use the town parking lots. $65 Weekends/Holidays and $40 Weekdays. If you buy a pass, you will be sent to a gravel lot that is not near the main beach, so expect to lug your gear for 500-1000 feet. They can sell no more than 100 passes, on a first come, first serve basis. It does not matter if people leave. It is completely possible to drop people off at the beach and park somewhere else if need be, however, there are no other parking lots for about 3 miles from the beach, and street parking will quickly get your car towed. When you buy the pass, you can not leave and then come back in, so make sure you have everything the first time. If you do not listen and fail to park in the designated lot, you will get an additional $75 ticket from the cops that make rounds every hour or so.
Day Pass Timing: I don't like giving a set time for when these passes sell out because of how unpredictable people are, but I'll attempt to give you an idea when they do, and take it with a grain of salt. Worst case scenario, you have to choose one of my backup plans below. I have seen passes sell out as early as 12 pm on a busy weekend, to not selling out until 5 pm (or not at all) on an off-day weekday. If you
Backup Plan: 1) Sherwood Island State Park (9 minutes away) is a state park beach that is free for CT residents and $22 for out-of-state residents. It has plenty of parking, walking trails and multiple beaches to choose from, but no playground. It is fairly rocky in most areas, and also tends to have a high abundance of geese on the main beach area. 2) Calf Pasture Beach (20 minutes away) is Norwalk's town beach. Day pass prices are about $30. It has playground and other facilities, but is mostly rocky. 3) Penfield/Jennings Beach (25 minutes away) is Fairfield's town beach. Day pass prices are $50/weekends, I don't know if there is a limit, parking can get limited for Penfield fast. The beach is somewhat rocky, but has a brand new pavilion and facilities, and does have a playground near both beaches.
Pros: Given what I've said with the steep price and other options in the area, why come to Compo? What you're paying for is 4 things. First of all, less rocks. Compo beach is noticeably less rocky than the other surrounding beaches. I'd still wear shoes if going underwater, but you'll be able to walk barefoot near the water's edge with few problems. Secondly, less geese during the summer months. Geese feces are everywhere in most of the coastal beaches and parks. Westport recently had a similar problem, but has been able to hire services to scare them off, something that Sherwood Island State Park doesn't do. I haven't seen too many at Fairfield beaches due to the layout of the beaches, but have seen plenty at Norwalk's. Third of all, it is sort of a filter. There's going to be less people, less loud music, less trash. It's not perfect, but there's a better employee to guest ratio in order to make sure rules are followed and stuff is cleaned up. Finally, it's the facilities. For example, the newly renovated pavilion seating or bathrooms. Even the playground is fairly nicer and larger compared to other beaches in the region. If you have kids, great. If you don't, I guess you can try the tire swing if that's your kind of thing.
Cons: There is only one source of food in the area, a snack bar called Joey's by the Shore. They tend to be slightly overpriced, with prices fairly typical of a beach concessions stand, but the food is fairly decent overall. Drinks can push $2 or $3 each at times though. There is a family owned deli up the road, but its about a .75 mile walk one way, and prices are only slightly lower. Also, waves are almost non existent, and water is fairly stagnant at some times. If you want waves don't go to Long Island Sound, go to the south side of Long Island (Jones Beach or Fire Island). If you just want some casual lounging or BBQ while your kids play, this is probably good enough. There are also no dogs or glass allowed, so don't bring them.
Conclusion: I'd recommend maybe making Compo beach your first choice if you absolutely have to go to a Fairfield County beach, but I would also take a look at the other options in the surrounding area. Regardless, have a backup plan ready because of the unpredictable parking situation and unavailability of other areas to park. If you want to swim, I'd skip Long Island Sound altogether and just go to Jones Beach or Fire Island. If you just want to relax with friends and family, here's good enough.
(Note: All of this information is valid as of early August 2018, and could change in the future) read more