Rhode Island
Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 1-2ft with light SSW winds.
Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 1-2ft with light SSW winds.
Best window·Sunday 3PM–6PM·2-3ft·Fair - Good
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.
Thu, Sep 3: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 2-3ft and very poor conditions with light SSW winds.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on SSW swell at 4s and light winds out of the NW. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Sat, Sep 5: 1–2ft, 4s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor - fair conditions with strong N wind at 13mph.
Sun, Sep 6: 2–3ft, 4s period, rated Poor. Morning kicks off with 1-2ft on NE swell at 4s.
Mon, Sep 7: 1–2ft, 10s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 9mph NNW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 14mph.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Very Poor today — get one free email when Breachway turns Good.
Check Breachway from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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 6.3s swell period. Wind is SSW at 7mph. Conditions are rated Very 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 2.1ft SE wind swell swell at 6s, a 1.4ft SE secondary swell at 9s. 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 3 PM to 6 PM with 3ft waves, a 4.2s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
