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

One reason that Rhode Island is such a fantastic place to find sea glass is that there is incredible shore access. Unlike some states, such as Connecticut as an example, Rhode Island beaches are highly accessible. While Rhode Island has its fair share of private beaches, it prides itself on public right of ways leading to the sandy shore. Remember, the area between mean high and low tide is public domain. So if you have public access, once you’re on the beach, you can walk anywhere you want even if it’s in front of a private home. Just don’t sunbathe on the homeowner’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 public state beach that gets extremely crowded in the summer time, especially on hot, sunny days. But if you’re vacationing in Rhode Island and it’s a cloudy, cool day, head down to Scarborough and start hunting for sea glass. The glass found here is very smooth and nicely frosted. Low tide is the best time to go. If low tide hits before the beach officially opens, you’ll have better luck finding some nice pieces and you won’t have to fight the crowds. In fact, most state and town public beaches, including Misquamicut, Narragansett, are also good spots for these little jewels.

—Jamestown. Jamestown is an island between Newport and the mainland, accessible only by bridge. Near the town center is a nice stretch of beach that is often loaded with sea glass, including extremely rare colors such as red and black. Parking is limited and this is a public beach, so the best time to hunt for beach glass is during the off season or on cloudy days. Just about any beach on Jamestown has its share of these frosted jewels.

—Cominicut Point Park. This is an out-of-the way seaside park in Warwick that has some very nice volume of beach glass. This is a public park with lots of beach to hunt sea glass on and is known as one of the better places for beach glass in the state.

—Colt State Park, a rocky beach accessible only at low tide, located in Bristol. It’s also one of the prettiest spots in the state.

—Block Island. This is a not-to-miss place if you’re visiting Rhode Island, not just for beach glass but because this is a real jewel you cannot miss. Block Island is accessible only via ferry, but it’s well 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 entire family.