What is the current surf forecast for Pilgrim?
The current wave height at Pilgrim is 1-2ft with a 4.4s 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.
Pilgrim Surf Forecast, Rhode Island
LiveRhode Island
Right nowPoor
1-2ft
Patience pays off today — morning is very poor with 1-2ft.
Patience pays off today — morning is very poor with 1-2ft.
Swell
2.3ft
4s · SSE
Wind
7–18mph
SW · Cross
Water
70°F
Springsuit or none
Tide
High
rising · high 12:50 PM
Surf: nearshore model · 12 PM localWind: model · 12 PM localTide: forecast
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Pilgrim for the cleanest windows.
Registered at the buoy
Wind wave2.6ft @ 4s SSE
Swell1.1ft @ 10s S
Steepness: very_steep
Pilgrim 5-Day Forecast Summary
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Pilgrim, 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, 9s period, rated Poor. Skip the dawn patrol — 1-2ft and very poor early on. Afternoon shapes up better with 1-2ft and very poor conditions.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on SE swell at 8s with gentle NNW breeze. Onshore flow builds through the day to 9mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Sat, Sep 5: 1–2ft, 3s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on N swell at 3s and 15mph out of the N. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Sun, Sep 6: 1–2ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. 1-2ft waves to start the day on NNE swell at 4s.
Mon, Sep 7: 1–2ft, 11s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on ESE swell at 11s with 11mph N winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 15mph from the SW and dropping conditions to very poor.
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 Pilgrim turns Good.
Forecasts here are checked against NOAA buoy Block Island (44097) — 54 km away. Predictions are being recorded before each swell arrives; the predicted-vs-measured record publishes openly around September 9.How it works →
Check Pilgrim from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
Pilgrim Surf Spot Guide
Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
SSE
Best Wind
NW
Season
Fall
Pilgrim is a Rhode Island beach break tucked along the southern coastline near Point Judith Pond, facing northwest toward Narragansett Bay's outer waters. The spot picks up south and southeast swells that wrap into the break, producing punchy, short-period waves that reward surfers who can read shifting sandbars. Fall months bring the most consistent surf as Atlantic hurricane swells and nor'easters push quality energy into this corner of Rhode Island.
Strong currentsShifting sandbarsCold waterNor'easter storm surgeBoat traffic
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
Pilgrim Surf Forecast FAQ
(9)
Pilgrim Surf Forecast FAQ
(9)What is the breaking wave height at Pilgrim?
The current breaking wave height at Pilgrim is 1-2ft, produced by a 2.3ft SSE wind swell swell at 4s, a 1.7ft SSE 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 Pilgrim?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Pilgrim is Monday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 2ft waves, a 10.7s 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 Pilgrim?
Pilgrim works best with a SSE swell and NW 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 Pilgrim?
Tide plays a big role at Pilgrim. 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 Pilgrim and who is it for?
Pilgrim is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Pilgrim is a Rhode Island beach break tucked along the southern coastline near Point Judith Pond, facing northwest toward Narragansett Bay's outer waters. The spot picks up south and southeast swells that wrap into the break, producing punchy, short-period waves that reward surfers who can read shifting sandbars. Fall months bring the most consistent surf as Atlantic hurricane swells and nor'easters push quality energy into this corner of Rhode Island.
When is the best season to surf Pilgrim?
The prime season at Pilgrim 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 Pilgrim?
Common hazards at Pilgrim include strong currents, shifting sandbars, cold water, nor'easter storm surge, boat traffic. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
How accurate is the Pilgrim surf forecast?
Our Pilgrim 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).