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: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with glassy conditions. Afternoon breeze fills in to 15mph.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 3-4ft with light SSW winds. 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. Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on S swell at 7s with moderate ESE wind around 8mph. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 8mph SSW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 13mph.
Wed, May 20: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on S swell at 6s with 9mph from the SW. Onshore flow builds through the day to 16mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
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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 1-2ft with a 8.85s swell period. Wind is SW at 7mph and 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 1-2ft, produced by a 1.8ft SSE 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 Sakonnet River is Sunday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 4ft waves, a 6.5s 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.
