Sawyer's Beach is located in the beach town of Rye and is just a short distance from Surfer's Beach. It's a blend of sand and scattered rocks, separated by a spit of rock that can shape some of the incoming swell. However, this spit isn’t strong enough to hold waves bigger than head-high, so you won’t find anything too epic here. It's best to hit this spot when the surf is small, as it can close out when things get bigger.

The surf at Sawyer's Beach can handle swell sizes from about 2ft to 10ft (0.6m to 3m), making it suitable for both beginners and intermediates. It breaks over a mix of sand and rock, primarily offering beach breaks that work best on high tide. For the best chances of catching some decent waves, a southwest or west wind is ideal, and it does well with swells coming from the east, southeast, or south-east directions. When the waves are up to stomach or head high, it's considered decent, but if you're looking for something more thrilling, you might want to check other spots when the swell pulses.

Access to Sawyer's Beach can be a bit tricky during the summer due to resident-only parking, but winter makes it easier when parking is open. You can also find some space along Route 1A and take a short walk to the beach. The crowd factor is moderate, giving it a mellow local vibe that’s pretty chill. Just keep in mind that the water can get freezing cold in winter, so you'll definitely need your full winter gear during those months.