Rhode Island
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Scarborough State Beach for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Scarborough 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.
Wed, Jun 24: 2–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 2ft and poor - fair with calm winds.
Thu, Jun 25: 2–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2ft waves on SSE swell at 8s and glassy conditions. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and poor by then.
Fri, Jun 26: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Skip the dawn patrol — 1ft and very poor early on. Later in the day looks more promising — 1-2ft and poor - fair.
Sat, Jun 27: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light W winds.
Sun, Jun 28: 2–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Patience pays off today — morning is poor with 1-2ft. Things come together by the afternoon with 2ft at poor - fair.
Scarborough State Beach is one of Rhode Island's most popular surf destinations, offering mellow, forgiving beach break waves that roll in from Block Island Sound along its wide sandy shoreline. The WNW-facing orientation means it picks up south and southeast swells particularly well, with fall hurricane swells producing the most consistent and punchy surf of the year. Its accessible location and generally friendly waves make it a go-to spot for Rhode Island's beginner and intermediate surfers, though it can surprise on the right swell with some genuinely fun peaks.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Scarborough State Beach is 1-2ft with a 6.7s swell period. Wind is W at 6mph 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 Scarborough State Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.5ft SSE primary swell at 7s, a 1ft WSW 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 Scarborough State Beach is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 7.75s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Scarborough State Beach works best with a SSE swell and WNW 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 Scarborough 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.
Scarborough State Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Scarborough State Beach is one of Rhode Island's most popular surf destinations, offering mellow, forgiving beach break waves that roll in from Block Island Sound along its wide sandy shoreline. The WNW-facing orientation means it picks up south and southeast swells particularly well, with fall hurricane swells producing the most consistent and punchy surf of the year. Its accessible location and generally friendly waves make it a go-to spot for Rhode Island's beginner and intermediate surfers, though it can surprise on the right swell with some genuinely fun peaks.
The prime season at Scarborough 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 Scarborough State Beach include crowds, rip currents, strong shore break on bigger swells, swimmers in summer. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Scarborough 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
