Rhode Island
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Mansion 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: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on SE swell at 9s with barely a breath of wind. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 17mph and poor by then.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Fair - Good. Aim for the middle of the day — 3-4ft on ESE swell at 8s with 8mph from the SW. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down. Afternoon wind picks back up so try to get wet before 2pm.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on S swell at 7s with 11mph E winds. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 8mph SW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 14mph.
Wed, May 20: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 4-5ft on SSE swell at 14s with moderate SW wind around 10mph. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 17mph and poor - fair by then.
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Mansion Beach is a scenic stretch of shoreline on Block Island, Rhode Island, facing west-northwest into Block Island Sound and offering fun, punchy beach break when south swells wrap around the island's southern tip. The unique geography of Block Island means this spot picks up long-period S and SSW swells that refract around the coast, producing surprisingly consistent peaks with good shape for intermediate surfers. Its relative remoteness — requiring a ferry ride from the Rhode Island mainland — keeps crowds manageable and adds to the adventure of scoring it on the right day.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Mansion Beach is 3-4ft with a 9.25s swell period. Wind is SW at 7mph 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 Mansion Beach is 3-4ft, produced by a 3.1ft SE primary 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 Mansion Beach is Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 6.3s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Mansion Beach works best with a S 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 Mansion 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.
Mansion Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Mansion Beach is a scenic stretch of shoreline on Block Island, Rhode Island, facing west-northwest into Block Island Sound and offering fun, punchy beach break when south swells wrap around the island's southern tip. The unique geography of Block Island means this spot picks up long-period S and SSW swells that refract around the coast, producing surprisingly consistent peaks with good shape for intermediate surfers. Its relative remoteness — requiring a ferry ride from the Rhode Island mainland — keeps crowds manageable and adds to the adventure of scoring it on the right day.
The prime season at Mansion 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 Mansion Beach include strong currents, rip currents, ferry traffic nearby, rocks at edges of beach, remote location limits emergency access. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Mansion 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.
