Rhode Island
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at East State Beach, Rhode Island. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 2-3ft and poor - fair conditions with moderate S wind around 10mph.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with gentle NW breeze. Expect the wind to bump up to around 10mph by PM.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light winds out of the NNW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 12mph.
Wed, May 13: 0–1ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with 11mph SW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 16mph.
Thu, May 14: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Midday is the call — 2-3ft waves with 13mph S winds and poor - fair conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
East State Beach is a mellow Rhode Island shoreline break situated along the western shores of Narragansett Bay, picking up swells that funnel in from the south and southeast through the bay's open approach. The waves here tend to be smaller and slower than exposed ocean-facing beaches, making it a friendly spot for beginners and longboarders looking to log easy rides. Fall brings the most consistent energy as passing Atlantic systems push swell into the area, though the sheltered orientation keeps conditions manageable even on bigger days.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at East State Beach is 2-3ft with a 7.95s swell period. Wind is S at 9mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at East State Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 1ft SE primary swell at 8s, a 0.7ft SSW wind swell swell at 2s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf East State Beach is Thursday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 3ft waves, a 5.55s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
East State Beach works best with a SSE swell and NNW winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at East State Beach. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
East State Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. East State Beach is a mellow Rhode Island shoreline break situated along the western shores of Narragansett Bay, picking up swells that funnel in from the south and southeast through the bay's open approach. The waves here tend to be smaller and slower than exposed ocean-facing beaches, making it a friendly spot for beginners and longboarders looking to log easy rides. Fall brings the most consistent energy as passing Atlantic systems push swell into the area, though the sheltered orientation keeps conditions manageable even on bigger days.
The prime season at East State Beach is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at East State Beach include rip currents, swimmers, boat traffic, seasonal jellyfish. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our East State Beach forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
