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: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SE swell at 9s and calm winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 16mph from the SSW and dropping conditions to poor.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on SSE swell at 7s with 7mph WSW winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 14mph from the SSW and dropping conditions to poor.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SSE swell at 8s with 9mph from the E. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with moderate SW wind around 9mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 14mph by PM.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Midday is the call — 2-3ft waves with 13mph SW winds and poor - fair conditions. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down. Afternoon wind picks back up so try to get wet before 2pm.
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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 2-3ft with a 9.2s swell period. Wind is SW at 7mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at K38/39 is 2-3ft, produced by a 2ft SE primary 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 K38/39 is Sunday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 4ft waves, a 7.7s 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.
