73°
Sunny
1%
71
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.
57°F water · 73°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 73. South wind around 8 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph.
Weather
- 73°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 57°F water — cold — wetsuit or stay dry
69 /100
good
54 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
73 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.6 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
73°F
Clear
Wind
8 mph
S
Rain
1%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
77°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
57°F
Cold
Next High Tide
10:45 PM
3.4 ft · in 1.2h
Wave Height
1.6 ft
11s · SE swell
Water Quality
Clean
10 cfu/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 9mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:14 AM
Sunset
8:14 PM
Moon · 87%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:04 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 10:34 AM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 3:48 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 10:45 PM | High | 3.4 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
77°
Sunny
1%
71
80°
Mostly Sunny
0%
71
81°
Mostly Sunny
3%
71
73°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
70%
11
66°
Chance Rain Showers
28%
43
70°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
16%
58
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 57°F — dangerously cold
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.
Minor
10:20 PM - 11:20 PM
Major
2:10 AM - 4:10 AM
Minor
7:10 AM - 8:10 AM
Major
2:30 PM - 4:30 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