Rhode Island
Best window·Thursday 6AM–9AM·4ft·Fair
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at K38/39, 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, 9s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1ft and poor with calm winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 11mph.
Wed, Jul 1: 4–5ft, 4s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 4-5ft waves on SE swell at 10s with 12mph from the SW. Onshore flow builds through the day to 18mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Thu, Jul 2: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 4-5ft waves on S swell at 7s with 12mph from the SW. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Fri, Jul 3: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 2-3ft and mostly poor with 9mph from the WNW.
Sat, Jul 4: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on S swell at 6s with gentle W breeze. Onshore flow builds through the day to 17mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
K38/39 is a lesser-known Rhode Island beach break tucked along the southern coastline, picking up south and southeast swells that funnel through the open Atlantic. The spot produces punchy, hollow peaks that shift with the sandbars, rewarding surfers who take the time to read the banks. Its NNE-facing orientation means it can light up nicely on the right combination of southerly swell and offshore winds, making it a solid find for those exploring Rhode Island's quieter stretches of coastline.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at K38/39 is 0-1ft with a 8.8s swell period. Wind is SSW at 10mph 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 K38/39 is 0-1ft, produced by a 0.8ft SE primary swell at 9s, a 0.6ft SSE secondary swell at 6s, a 0.7ft 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 K38/39 is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 6.8s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
K38/39 works best with a SSE swell and NNE 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 K38/39. 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.
K38/39 is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. K38/39 is a lesser-known Rhode Island beach break tucked along the southern coastline, picking up south and southeast swells that funnel through the open Atlantic. The spot produces punchy, hollow peaks that shift with the sandbars, rewarding surfers who take the time to read the banks. Its NNE-facing orientation means it can light up nicely on the right combination of southerly swell and offshore winds, making it a solid find for those exploring Rhode Island's quieter stretches of coastline.
The prime season at K38/39 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 K38/39 include rip currents, shifting sandbars, cold water, occasional shore break. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our K38/39 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.
