Rhode Island
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.
Sat, May 16: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on SSE swell at 9s with strong SSW wind at 14mph. Afternoon wind picks back up so try to get wet before 2pm.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. The sweet spot is around midday — 3-4ft waves, gentle SSW breeze, fair conditions. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up. Sea breeze fills back in by mid-afternoon so get on it early.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 2-3ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 7mph from the E.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Hold off if you can — morning starts out very poor with 0-1ft waves. Size picks up through the day, hitting 3-4ft with poor conditions by late afternoon.
Wed, May 20: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on S swell at 7s with moderate SW wind around 9mph. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 16mph and poor by then.
Takes 10 seconds with Google or Apple.
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 8.9s swell period. Wind is SSW at 8mph 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 Sakonnet River is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.7ft SSE primary swell at 9s, a 0.7ft 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 Sakonnet River is Sunday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 4ft waves, a 6.55s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
