Narragansett Bay Water Temperature, Tides & Buoy Report

Region: Rhode Island

Narragansett Bay is the largest estuary in New England, extending 28 miles from the head of the Providence River to its opening into Rhode Island Sound. The bay's complex geometry — with multiple islands, passages, and sub-bays — creates a wide range of conditions within a compact area. Where the bay meets Block Island Sound to the south, conditions shift from sheltered estuarine waters to fully exposed open ocean over a very short distance.

NOAA Stations Near Narragansett Bay

Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions does Big Buoy track near Narragansett Bay?
Big Buoy tracks real-time water temperature, wave height, wind speed and direction, swell period, and atmospheric pressure from 15 stations across the region, including Buzzards Bay, Providence, Newport, and North Prudence. You also get 7-day tide forecasts, solunar tables, and extended weather outlooks covering the bay from the Providence River to Block Island Sound.
How do bay and ocean conditions differ at Narragansett Bay?
The upper bay near Providence is river-influenced, with lower salinity and warmer water after rainfall. The lower bay and Rhode Island Sound are ocean-influenced, with cooler water and exposure to southerly swell from Block Island Sound. Water temperature differences between the upper and lower bay can reach 8–12°F in summer. Tidal currents through the East and West Passages create strong flow at the narrows, with slack water timing varying between the upper bay and the mouth.
What conditions should I check before heading out at Narragansett Bay?
Wind direction is the first thing to check — southerly winds push ocean swell into the lower bay while northerlies flatten it. Tidal current timing matters at the passages and narrows, where currents can be strong and create uncomfortable conditions when opposing wind. Water temperature varies significantly from the river-influenced upper bay to the ocean-influenced lower bay. After heavy rain, freshwater runoff from the Providence River reduces salinity and clarity in the upper bay. Big Buoy shows real-time data from four NOAA stations covering the full bay gradient plus tide and weather forecasts.
What buoys and stations does Big Buoy track near Narragansett Bay?
Big Buoy tracks 880+ buoys and coastal stations and 3,400+ tide stations nationwide, with many in the Narragansett Bay area — including Buzzards Bay, MA (260) (44085), Providence, RI (FOXR1), Newport, RI (NWPR1), Potters Cove, Narragansett Bay Reserve, RI (NAXR1). What each one reports depends on the sensors it carries: offshore buoys typically cover water temperature, waves and wind, while tide gauges report water level. Open the map to see all stations near Narragansett Bay.
What marine conditions are available for Narragansett Bay?
Big Buoy shows real-time water temperature, wave height, swell period, wind speed and direction from the stations that report them, plus 7-day tide tables with exact high and low times and daily solunar peak windows for Narragansett Bay.
Is Big Buoy free to use for Narragansett Bay marine conditions?
Yes. Real-time buoy data, tides, and solunar for Narragansett Bay are completely free with no account required. Big Buoy Pro adds the Wind Tab, the Depth Chart, satellite overlays (sea surface temp, chlorophyll, currents), 16-day forecasts, and forecast model switching.