Rhode Island
Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and very poor with 8mph from the SW.
Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and very poor with 8mph from the SW.
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.
Thu, Sep 3: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and very poor conditions with moderate SW wind around 8mph.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on SE swell at 8s with light winds out of the NW. The S wind kicks in by afternoon — 9mph and very poor by then.
Sat, Sep 5: 0–1ft, 3s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with 17mph N winds.
Sun, Sep 6: 1–2ft, 4s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 16mph out of the N.
Mon, Sep 7: 1–2ft, 11s period, rated Very Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on ESE swell at 11s with 10mph from the N. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
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 Elbow Ledge turns Good.
Check Elbow Ledge from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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 1-2ft with a 4.4s swell period. Wind is SW at 8mph. 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 Elbow Ledge is 1-2ft, produced by a 2.3ft SSE wind swell swell at 4s, a 1.7ft SSE 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 Elbow Ledge is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 1ft waves, a 10.7s 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. 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).
