Rhode Island
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Lighthouse (Point Judith), 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: 3–4ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 4-5ft waves on SE swell at 9s with glassy conditions. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 16mph from the SSW and dropping conditions to poor.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSE swell at 7s and 7mph from the WSW. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 14mph from the SSW and dropping conditions to poor.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSE swell at 8s and 9mph from the E. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 9mph from the SW. 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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Lighthouse at Point Judith is one of Rhode Island's most iconic surf breaks, wrapping powerful Atlantic swells around the rocky headland at the southern tip of the state to produce long, peeling waves with real punch. The spot faces NNE, meaning it picks up a wide range of S to SE groundswells that funnel up the Rhode Island coast, and fall hurricane season delivers some of its best and most consistent surf. The historic Point Judith Lighthouse adds a dramatic backdrop, and the exposed geography here means the ocean rarely goes completely flat during the colder months.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Lighthouse (Point Judith) is 4-5ft 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 Lighthouse (Point Judith) is 4-5ft, 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 Lighthouse (Point Judith) is Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 4ft waves, a 9.2s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Lighthouse (Point Judith) 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 Lighthouse (Point Judith). 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.
Lighthouse (Point Judith) is a point with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Lighthouse at Point Judith is one of Rhode Island's most iconic surf breaks, wrapping powerful Atlantic swells around the rocky headland at the southern tip of the state to produce long, peeling waves with real punch. The spot faces NNE, meaning it picks up a wide range of S to SE groundswells that funnel up the Rhode Island coast, and fall hurricane season delivers some of its best and most consistent surf. The historic Point Judith Lighthouse adds a dramatic backdrop, and the exposed geography here means the ocean rarely goes completely flat during the colder months.
The prime season at Lighthouse (Point Judith) 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 Lighthouse (Point Judith) include rocks, strong currents, cold water, rip currents, localism, boat traffic. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Lighthouse (Point Judith) 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.
