Rhode Island
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Breachway for the cleanest windows.
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.
Tue, Jun 30: 0–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with barely a breath of wind. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Wed, Jul 1: 2–3ft, 3s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 2ft and mostly very poor with moderate SW wind around 11mph.
Thu, Jul 2: 2–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 2ft and poor with moderate WSW wind around 10mph.
Fri, Jul 3: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on SSE swell at 5s and 8mph WNW winds. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Sat, Jul 4: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1ft waves and very poor conditions with gentle WNW breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 14mph.
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 0-1ft with a 8.8s swell period. Wind is S at 9mph and 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 0-1ft, produced by a 0.4ft SE primary swell at 9s, a 0.5ft SSW wind swell swell at 2s. 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 Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 7.05s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
