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.
Sat, May 16: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Aim for the middle of the day — 1-2ft on SE swell at 9s with 9mph SSW winds.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SE swell at 8s with light winds out of the WSW. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 10mph from the SSW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 11mph from the E.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 8mph from the SW. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 14mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with moderate SW wind around 10mph. Afternoon breeze fills in to 17mph.
Takes 10 seconds with Google or Apple.
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 9.25s swell period. Wind is SSW at 8mph and conditions are rated 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 0.9ft SE primary swell at 9s, a 0.5ft SW 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 Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 8.45s swell period, and conditions rated 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.
