Rhode Island
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Breachway, Rhode Island. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 1–2ft, 10s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with glassy conditions. Expect the wind to bump up to around 14mph by PM.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on SE swell at 9s with gentle WSW breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 11mph from the SSW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 8mph E winds.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 7mph from the SW. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 11mph.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SSE swell at 8s with 8mph SW winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 14mph from the SW and dropping conditions to poor.
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Breachway is a classic Rhode Island rivermouth break located at the Charlestown Breachway, where a tidal inlet meets Block Island Sound. The break benefits from south and southwest swells that funnel through the inlet, producing punchy, fast-peeling waves that can get surprisingly hollow on a good day. Its unique geography creates shifting sandbars that are constantly reshaped by tidal flows, making it a dynamic and ever-changing surf spot along the Rhode Island coastline.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Breachway is 1-2ft with a 9.55s swell period. Wind is SW at 6mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Breachway is 1-2ft, produced by a 0.9ft SE primary swell at 10s. 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.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Breachway is Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 8.5s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Breachway works best with a S swell and NNW winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Breachway. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Breachway is a rivermouth with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Breachway is a classic Rhode Island rivermouth break located at the Charlestown Breachway, where a tidal inlet meets Block Island Sound. The break benefits from south and southwest swells that funnel through the inlet, producing punchy, fast-peeling waves that can get surprisingly hollow on a good day. Its unique geography creates shifting sandbars that are constantly reshaped by tidal flows, making it a dynamic and ever-changing surf spot along the Rhode Island coastline.
The prime season at Breachway is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Breachway include strong currents, tidal rips, jetty rocks, boat traffic, shifting sandbars. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Breachway 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
