Rhode Island
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.
Sat, May 16: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 11mph from the SSW. Expect the wind to bump up to around 16mph by PM.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on SSE swell at 8s with 7mph from the WSW. Onshore flow builds through the day to 14mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 9mph from the E.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 9mph from the SW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 14mph.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor. The sweet spot is around midday — 2-3ft waves, 13mph SW winds, poor - fair conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning. Don't wait too long — the wind comes back up after lunch.
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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 1-2ft with a 9.05s swell period. Wind is SW 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 K38/39 is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.8ft SE primary swell at 9s, a 0.7ft SW 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 Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
