Swell Intel

Scarborough State Beach Surf Forecast, Rhode Island

Rhode Island

Pilgrim3-4+ftLighthouse (Point Judith)3-4ftK38/394-5ft
Scarborough State Beach surf spot

Current Conditions

Fair
Wave Height
3-4ft
waist to chest high
Swell Period
8.3s
Wind
8mph
SSW / Gusts 16mph
Conditions
Fair
Active Swells
Wind Swell
3.8ft @ 8sS

Nearest Webcam

Daily Forecast

3 of 5 days
Tue, Mar 313-4ft
Poor - Fair
6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 14-5ft
Fair

Aim for the middle of the day — 3-4ft on S swell at 9s with 12mph SW winds. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.

6am9am12pm3pm
9s S|11-12mph SW
Thu, Apr 23-4ft
Poor

A slow one — 3-4ft waves and poor conditions with 15mph NNE winds.

6am9am12pm3pm
7s S|15mph NE
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Sat

Forecast Charts

Scarborough State Beach Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
SSE
Best Wind
WNW
Season
Fall

Scarborough State Beach is one of Rhode Island's most popular surf destinations, offering mellow, forgiving beach break waves that roll in from Block Island Sound along its wide sandy shoreline. The WNW-facing orientation means it picks up south and southeast swells particularly well, with fall hurricane swells producing the most consistent and punchy surf of the year. Its accessible location and generally friendly waves make it a go-to spot for Rhode Island's beginner and intermediate surfers, though it can surprise on the right swell with some genuinely fun peaks.

CrowdsRip currentsStrong shore break on bigger swellsSwimmers in summer

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Scarborough State Beach Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Scarborough State Beach?
The current wave height at Scarborough State Beach is 3-4ft with a 8.3s swell period. Wind is SSW at 8mph. Conditions are rated Fair.
How accurate is the Scarborough State Beach surf forecast?
Our Scarborough 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.
What is the breaking wave height at Scarborough State Beach?
The current breaking wave height at Scarborough State Beach is 3-4ft, produced by a 3.8ft S wind swell swell at 8s. 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.
When is the best time to surf Scarborough State Beach?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Scarborough State Beach is Wednesday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 3ft waves, a 8.45s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.