Rhode Island
Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on S swell at 4s with 8mph SW winds.
Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on S swell at 4s with 8mph SW winds.
Best window·Friday 9AM–12PM·2-3ft·Fair - Good
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Sakonnet River, 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: 2–3ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Midday is the call — 2-3ft waves with 8mph SW winds and poor conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.
Fri, Sep 4: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on S swell at 4s with light N winds. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down.
Sat, Sep 5: 1–2ft, 3s period, rated Very Poor. Afternoon is the play — morning is only very poor at 0-1ft. Things come together by the afternoon with 1-2ft at poor.
Sun, Sep 6: 2–3ft, 4s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on NNE swell at 4s and 18mph N winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Mon, Sep 7: 1–2ft, 11s period, rated Very Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on ESE swell at 11s with 11mph from the N. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 18mph and very poor by then.
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 Sakonnet River turns Good.
Check Sakonnet River from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
Sakonnet River in Rhode Island is a unique rivermouth break where the Sakonnet River meets Rhode Island Sound, producing fun and occasionally punchy waves shaped by the interaction of tidal flows and open-water swells. The spot faces NNW into the river channel, meaning it picks up energy from storms tracking through the sound, and outgoing tidal currents can help groom and hollow out the faces. It remains one of Rhode Island's more off-the-beaten-path options, rewarding adventurous surfers willing to time the tides with uncrowded, quirky waves.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Sakonnet River is 2-3ft with a 4.1s swell period. Wind is SW at 8mph. Conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Sakonnet River is 2-3ft, produced by a 2ft S wind swell swell at 4s, a 1.4ft SE 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.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Sakonnet River is Friday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 2ft waves, a 4.3s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Sakonnet River works best with a SSE swell and NNW 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 Sakonnet River. 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.
Sakonnet River is a rivermouth with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Sakonnet River in Rhode Island is a unique rivermouth break where the Sakonnet River meets Rhode Island Sound, producing fun and occasionally punchy waves shaped by the interaction of tidal flows and open-water swells. The spot faces NNW into the river channel, meaning it picks up energy from storms tracking through the sound, and outgoing tidal currents can help groom and hollow out the faces. It remains one of Rhode Island's more off-the-beaten-path options, rewarding adventurous surfers willing to time the tides with uncrowded, quirky waves.
The prime season at Sakonnet River 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 Sakonnet River include strong currents, boat traffic, shifting sandbars, cold water, submerged debris. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Sakonnet River 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).
