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, 10s period, rated Poor. Morning kicks off with 1-2ft on SE swell at 10s. Expect 13mph SSW winds by the afternoon.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SE swell at 9s and light winds out of the WSW. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 11mph from the E.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with moderate SW wind around 8mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 14mph by PM.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSE swell at 8s and 10mph SW winds. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 17mph and poor by then.
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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 9.55s swell period. Wind is SW at 5mph and 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 0.9ft SE primary swell at 10s. 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 9 AM to 12 PM with 3ft waves, a 8.35s 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.
