Rhode Island
Aim for the middle of the day — 1-2ft on SE swell at 6s with light SSW winds.
Aim for the middle of the day — 1-2ft on SE swell at 6s with light SSW winds.
Best window·Sunday 3PM–6PM·2-3ft·Fair - Good
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.
Thu, Sep 3: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and very poor with light winds out of the SSW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 9mph.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on SSW swell at 4s and gentle NW breeze. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Sat, Sep 5: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with moderate N wind around 13mph.
Sun, Sep 6: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on NE swell at 4s with 14mph out of the NNE. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Mon, Sep 7: 0–1ft, 11s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 9mph from the NNW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 14mph.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Poor today — get one free email when East State Beach turns Good.
Check East State Beach from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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 1-2ft with a 6.3s swell period. Wind is SSW at 5mph. Conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at East State Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.9ft SE wind swell swell at 6s, a 1.3ft SE secondary swell at 9s. 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 Sunday from 3 PM to 6 PM with 2ft waves, a 4.4s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
