Washington County, RI · Atlantic Ocean

Scarborough State Beach

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

Skip the beach today.

84% rain · NWS alert active · 74°F air

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Smoke and showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight

Smoke and showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then smoke and showers and thunderstorms likely between 7pm and 8pm, then areas of smoke and showers and thunderstorms likely between 8pm and 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1am and 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Weather

74°F air — ideal beach weather
84% rain — wet day — beach day is off

Water

68°F water — swimmable, refreshing

Safety

NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued july 18 at 12:41pm edt until july 19 at 12:00pm edt by nws boston/norton ma

19 /100

skip

11 Swim

20 Sunbathe

29 Walk

37 Fish

60 Photo

Best for photography 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.

NOAA station 8452660 · Observed 0.93 ft · Predicted 0.31 ft

Small Craft Small Craft Advisory

Small Craft Advisory issued July 18 at 12:41PM EDT until July 19 at 12:00PM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MA

NWS · In effect through Jul 19, 4:00 PM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...Southwest winds 10 to 20 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and waves 2 to 4 feet. * WHERE...In Massachusetts coastal waters, Boston Harbor. In Rhode Island coastal waters, Narragansett Bay. * WHEN...Until noon EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

74°F

Rain and Fog/Mist

Wind

15 mph

Rain

84%

This Afternoon

UV Peak

4 Moderate

Peaks 11 AM · burn in ~50m

Burn-free before 09 AM & after 02 PM

Tomorrow

78°F

Mostly Sunny

Water

Water Temp

68°F

Refreshing

Wave Height

2.6 ft

4s · SW swell

Water Quality

Clean

10 cfu/100mL · Enterococcus

USGS · sampled 10mo ago

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

5:27 AM

Sunset

8:16 PM

Moon · 18%

Waxing Crescent

Neap tides — smaller range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
5:04 AM	Low	0.0 ft
11:45 AM	High	4.2 ft
5:16 PM	Low	0.3 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:05 AM	High	3.9 ft
5:38 AM	Low	0.2 ft
12:38 PM	High	4.1 ft
6:09 PM	Low	0.6 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:55 AM	High	3.5 ft
6:15 AM	Low	0.4 ft
1:30 PM	High	3.9 ft
7:15 PM	Low	0.8 ft

Time	Type	Height
1:45 AM	High	3.2 ft
6:58 AM	Low	0.6 ft
2:21 PM	High	3.7 ft
8:40 PM	Low	1.0 ft

Time	Type	Height
2:36 AM	High	2.9 ft
7:49 AM	Low	0.7 ft
3:13 PM	High	3.5 ft
9:51 PM	Low	1.0 ft

Time	Type	Height
3:30 AM	High	2.7 ft
8:47 AM	Low	0.8 ft
4:10 PM	High	3.4 ft
10:44 PM	Low	0.9 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:31 AM	High	2.7 ft
9:46 AM	Low	0.8 ft
5:11 PM	High	3.4 ft
11:27 PM	Low	0.9 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8452660, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Jul 18

74°

Smoke

84%

Sun Jul 19

78°

Mostly Sunny

Mon Jul 20

75°

Sunny

Tue Jul 21

75°

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

42%

Wed Jul 22

73°

Showers And Thunderstorms

90%

Thu Jul 23

72°

Chance Rain Showers

40%

Fri Jul 24

73°

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

19%

What to Bring Today

recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 68°F
recommended Rain cover + dry bag 84% chance of rain

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

10:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Major

3:20 AM - 5:20 AM

Minor

9:50 AM - 10:50 AM

Major

3:30 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

lifeguardsrestroomsshowerssnack barboardwalkfishing

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Scarborough State Beach today?

Scarborough State Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

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.