What Makes Westport’s Compo Beach Worth Nearly $800 A Year? That is the Cost for the Annual Pass

It's the time of year when our minds wander away from our work computer, and out the window.

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We watch the green leaves bounce in the breeze on a sunny day, and take a mental vacation. You start thinking about how best to spend your free time over the summer. If you're anything like me, that fantastical mind voyage begins and ends with the beach.

So, where do you go? The answers might be clear in a state like Florida, one known for its beaches. Beaches are a prominent part of life in the Sunshine State, dominating the landscape and the dialogue. Floridians likely have a "best-beaches" list in the cue, at all times. Here in CT, beaches are an afterthought.

The primary reason CT doesn't remind people of beaches is because ours are so bad. I defend CT every chance I get, and I like to think I'm fair about our pros and cons, but we are bad at having beaches. Our beaches are on the Long Island Sound, most are rocky (not sandy) and they're also expensive, like Compo Beach in Westport, CT.

But, from the outside looking in, why even give them the satisfaction? I've been to Compo Beach and it's not worth $800 a year. I don't want to hear that it "pays for itself" if you go 10-12 times because you know you won't.

So it's expensive and overrated, but did you know there is also a metric f--- ton of rules. Here are the many rules you'll need to abide by while using this beach: The rules list comes straight from the Town of Westport website.

Rules:

• Solicitation of sale of goods or services for commercial reasons without the written permission of the Westport Parks and Recreation Department is prohibited.
• Glass bottles and glass containers are prohibited.
• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at Compo Beach facility (parking lots, athletic fields, basketball courts, beach front area, and grass area) without a written permit issued by the Parks and Recreation Department, the exception being the South Beach picnic area.
• Beer kegs or other containers of beer in excess of one liter is prohibited.
• Amplified music: including bands and DJ’s, without the written permission of the Parks and Recreation Department is prohibited.
• From April 1 to Sept. 30 animals are prohibited at the beaches either in or out of vehicles except when going to and from boat moored at Ned Dimes Marina (at Compo Beach). Beaches are defined to include the water adjacent to the property, the sand areas adjacent to the water, the parking areas, grass areas, playing areas and roads, except that dogs are permitted in vehicles and, if on leash, going to and from such vehicles in the Soundview Parking lot at all times other than entering the Soundview Parking lot in vehicles between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays and before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. weekends & holidays.
• Persons with dog(s) at Ned Dimes Marina (at Compo Beach) and E. R. Strait Marina must have dog(s) on a leash.
• Restrooms on south and east beach are open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. from May 1 to Sept. 30. Restrooms at the Compo marina and the E.R. Strait marina are available 24 hours a day year round. The food concession at Compo is available May 1 to Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Exact dates and times may vary.
• The Pavilion at Compo is designated for public use and may not be reserved for private parties. Cooking and possession of alcohol in this area is strictly prohibited.

No Alcohol!? Can't bring my dog? Can't listen to music? No hooch, no pooch and no Scooch? Sounds un-American.

P.S. You can't go anyway, according to the website, the non-resident season passes are sold out for summer 2022.

Our sister station talked about Compo Beach on Wednesday (5/25/22), listen to the segment below.

We got a lot of text messages on the matter through the Mobile App, this is one of my favorites.

Gary from Yorktown Heights, NY - "There’s no reason to go to Compo beach unless you won the lottery and want to go car shopping. Then you can see all the high-end vehicles in one spot, by walking the parking lot."