74°
Sunny
1%
75
Washington County, RI · Atlantic Ocean
Scarborough State Beach
870 Ocean Road, Narragansett, RI 02882
Rhode Island's flagship ocean beach: wide sand, dependable surf, an observation tower, and a long boardwalk between the North and South lots. Big, busy, and well-run, with strong currents that justify the heavy lifeguard staffing.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
74°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Sunny, with a high near 74. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Scattered rain showers after 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Weather
- 74°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 66°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
76 /100
great
67 Swim
84 Sunbathe
87 Walk
76 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
74°F
Clear
Wind
5 to 10 mph
SW
Rain
1%
Today
UV Peak
7 High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~29m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
71°F
Scattered Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Water
Water Temp
66°F
Refreshing
Next High Tide
5:43 PM
3.7 ft · in 2.9h
Wave Height
3.0 ft
8s · S swell
Water Quality
Clean
10 cfu/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 10mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:13 AM
Sunset
8:23 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:09 AM | High | 2.8 ft |
| 10:25 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 5:43 PM | High | 3.7 ft |
| 11:54 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
71°
Scattered Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
38%
54
73°
Chance Rain Showers
51%
54
79°
Mostly Sunny
6%
77
79°
Sunny
3%
75
80°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
15%
75
82°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
19%
71
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen UV index 7 — high
- recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 66°F
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Major
7:50 PM - 9:50 PM
Minor
1:20 AM - 2:20 AM
Major
8:20 AM - 10:20 AM
Minor
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Weekday $6 RI / $12 non-resident; weekend $7 RI / $14 non-resident. Season passes $30 / $60.
Dogs
Pets prohibited on RI state beaches April 1 – September 30.
Entry Fee
$12 non-resident weekday / $14 weekend parking
Address
870 Ocean Road, Narragansett, RI 02882
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Scarborough State Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Scarborough State Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Scarborough State Beach dog-friendly?
Pets prohibited on RI state beaches April 1 – September 30.
Is there an entry fee at Scarborough State Beach?
$12 non-resident weekday / $14 weekend parking
Are there lifeguards at Scarborough State Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Scarborough State Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Scarborough State Beach?
Amenities at Scarborough State Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, snack bar, boardwalk, fishing.
When is the water warmest at Scarborough State Beach?
Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.
Where is Scarborough State Beach located?
Scarborough State Beach is in Washington County, RI, at 870 Ocean Road, Narragansett, RI 02882.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS