What is the current surf forecast for K38/39?
The current wave height at K38/39 is 1-2ft with a 6.2s swell period. Wind is SW at 7mph. Conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
K38/39 Surf Forecast, Rhode Island
LiveRhode Island
Right nowPoor
1-2ft
Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 7mph SW winds.
Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 7mph SW winds.
Swell
2.2ft
6s · SE
Wind
7–18mph
SW · Onshore
Water
70°F
Springsuit or none
Tide
High
falling · low 6:54 PM
Surf: nearshore model · 1 PM localWind: model · 1 PM localTide: forecast
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at K38/39 for the cleanest windows.
Registered at the buoy
Wind wave2.4ft @ 4s SSE
Swell1.1ft @ 8s S
Steepness: very_steep
K38/39 5-Day Forecast Summary
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.
Thu, Sep 3: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Midday is the call — 1-2ft waves with moderate SW wind around 7mph and poor conditions. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on SSW swell at 4s with light winds out of the NNW. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 9mph from the SW and dropping conditions to very poor.
Sat, Sep 5: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with strong N wind at 15mph.
Sun, Sep 6: 1–2ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on NE swell at 4s with 18mph out of the NNE. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Mon, Sep 7: 1–2ft, 10s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 1-2ft on ESE swell at 10s with moderate N wind around 11mph. The SW wind kicks in by afternoon — 15mph and poor by then.
Daily Forecast
Hourly Forecast
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Poor today — get one free email when K38/39 turns Good.
Better right now nearby:BreachwayPoor1-2ft· rivermouth· 8 mi
Check K38/39 from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
K38/39 Surf Spot Guide
Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
SSE
Best Wind
NNE
Season
Fall
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.
Rip currentsShifting sandbarsCold waterOccasional shore break
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
K38/39 Surf Forecast FAQ
(9)
K38/39 Surf Forecast FAQ
(9)What is the breaking wave height at K38/39?
The current breaking wave height at K38/39 is 1-2ft, produced by a 2.2ft SE wind swell swell at 6s, a 1.5ft 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.
When is the best time to surf K38/39?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf K38/39 is Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 1ft waves, a 4s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
What swell and wind direction work best at K38/39?
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.
What tide is best at K38/39?
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.
What kind of wave is K38/39 and who is it for?
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.
When is the best season to surf K38/39?
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.
Are there any hazards to know about at K38/39?
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.
How accurate is the K38/39 surf forecast?
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. 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).