Rhode Island
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Matunuck, 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. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SE swell at 9s with barely a breath of wind. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 14mph from the SSW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Fair - Good. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on SSE swell at 7s with 7mph from the WSW. Onshore flow builds through the day to 12mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Morning kicks off with 3-4ft on SSE swell at 8s.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and 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 - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on S swell at 7s and moderate SW wind around 11mph. Onshore flow builds through the day to 17mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
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Matunuck is one of Rhode Island's most beloved surf spots, situated along the south-facing coastline of South Kingstown where it catches South Atlantic swells with surprising consistency for New England. The break produces punchy, powerful beach break waves that can get hollow on the right combination of south or southeast swell and offshore northerly winds, making it a local favorite when conditions align. Its WNW-facing transect means it's well-positioned to pick up energy from both summer hurricane swells and the powerful fall and winter nor'easters that sweep up the East Coast.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Matunuck is 2-3ft with a 9.2s swell period. Wind is SW at 6mph 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 Matunuck 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 Matunuck is Sunday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 4ft waves, a 7.75s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Matunuck works best with a S swell and WNW 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 Matunuck. 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.
Matunuck is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Matunuck is one of Rhode Island's most beloved surf spots, situated along the south-facing coastline of South Kingstown where it catches South Atlantic swells with surprising consistency for New England. The break produces punchy, powerful beach break waves that can get hollow on the right combination of south or southeast swell and offshore northerly winds, making it a local favorite when conditions align. Its WNW-facing transect means it's well-positioned to pick up energy from both summer hurricane swells and the powerful fall and winter nor'easters that sweep up the East Coast.
The prime season at Matunuck 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 Matunuck include strong currents, rip currents, crowds on peak swell days, cold water, localism. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Matunuck 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.
