Rhode Island
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.
Sat, May 16: 3–4ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on SE swell at 9s and glassy conditions. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 16mph and poor by then.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSE swell at 7s and 7mph WSW winds. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 14mph and poor by then.
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. 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 - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on S swell at 7s with moderate SW wind around 11mph. The SW wind kicks in by afternoon — 17mph and poor by then.
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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.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Pilgrim is 3-4ft 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 Pilgrim is 3-4ft, 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 Pilgrim is Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 3ft waves, a 9.2s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
