Rhode Island
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Pilgrim for the cleanest windows.
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.
Tue, Jun 30: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2ft 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.
Wed, Jul 1: 3–4ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SE swell at 10s with strong SW wind at 18mph. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Thu, Jul 2: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on S swell at 7s with 12mph from the SW. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Fri, Jul 3: 2–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 2ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 9mph WNW winds.
Sat, Jul 4: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on S swell at 6s with gentle W breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 17mph from the WSW and dropping conditions to very poor.
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 2ft with a 8.85s swell period. Wind is S at 7mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Pilgrim is 2ft, produced by a 0.8ft SE primary swell at 9s, a 0.6ft SSE secondary swell at 6s, a 0.5ft SSW wind swell swell at 2s. 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 Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 6.8s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
