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. Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on SE swell at 9s with strong SSW wind at 13mph. Afternoon wind picks back up so try to get wet before 2pm.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on SSW swell at 6s with 10mph from the WSW. Onshore flow builds through the day to 15mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on S swell at 7s with 11mph E winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. 1-2ft waves to start the day on SSE swell at 9s. The SSW wind builds to around 14mph by afternoon.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on SSE swell at 13s and moderate SW wind around 10mph. Onshore flow builds through the day to 17mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
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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 2-3ft with a 9.05s 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 2-3ft, produced by a 2.9ft SE primary swell at 9s, a 0.7ft 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 Mansion Beach is Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 6.35s 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.
