Rhode Island
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Elbow Ledge for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Elbow Ledge, 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: 1–1ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1ft and poor with glassy conditions. Expect the wind to bump up to around 13mph by PM.
Wed, Jul 1: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and very poor with strong SW wind at 23mph.
Thu, Jul 2: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on S swell at 7s with strong SW wind at 14mph. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Fri, Jul 3: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor - fair with 8mph from the WNW.
Sat, Jul 4: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with light WNW winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 18mph by PM.
Elbow Ledge is a raw, exposed reef break tucked along the rocky Rhode Island coastline near the southern shore, where submerged ledges and rock shelves shape punchy, fast-breaking waves with surprising power. The spot comes alive during fall groundswells out of the south-southeast, producing hollow, ledging sections that reward experienced surfers willing to hunt it down. Its relative obscurity and technical bottom make it one of Rhode Island's more challenging and rewarding discoveries for those in the know.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Elbow Ledge is 1ft with a 6.05s swell period. Wind is SSE at 9mph 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 Elbow Ledge is 1ft, produced by a 0.8ft S primary swell at 6s, a 0.5ft SSE secondary swell at 9s, a 0.6ft S 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 Elbow Ledge is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 6.7s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Elbow Ledge works best with a SSE swell and NW 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 Elbow Ledge. 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.
Elbow Ledge is a reef with a rock bottom, suited to advanced surfers. Elbow Ledge is a raw, exposed reef break tucked along the rocky Rhode Island coastline near the southern shore, where submerged ledges and rock shelves shape punchy, fast-breaking waves with surprising power. The spot comes alive during fall groundswells out of the south-southeast, producing hollow, ledging sections that reward experienced surfers willing to hunt it down. Its relative obscurity and technical bottom make it one of Rhode Island's more challenging and rewarding discoveries for those in the know.
The prime season at Elbow Ledge 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 Elbow Ledge include shallow rock ledge, sharp rocks, strong currents, remote location, cold water. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Elbow Ledge 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.
