Rhode Island
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Elbow Ledge for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Elbow Ledge, Rhode Island. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Wed, Jun 24: 2–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2ft waves on SSE swell at 6s with calm winds. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Thu, Jun 25: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2ft waves on S swell at 8s and light WSW winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 13mph from the S and dropping conditions to poor.
Fri, Jun 26: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. The sweet spot is around midday — 1-2ft waves, 13mph from the S, poor - fair conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.
Sat, Jun 27: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light winds out of the SSW.
Sun, Jun 28: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light NNE winds.
Elbow Ledge is a raw, exposed reef break tucked along the rocky Rhode Island coastline near the southern shore, where submerged ledges and rock shelves shape punchy, fast-breaking waves with surprising power. The spot comes alive during fall groundswells out of the south-southeast, producing hollow, ledging sections that reward experienced surfers willing to hunt it down. Its relative obscurity and technical bottom make it one of Rhode Island's more challenging and rewarding discoveries for those in the know.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Elbow Ledge is 1-2ft with a 6.5s swell period. Wind is WSW at 11mph 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 Elbow Ledge is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.4ft SSE primary swell at 7s, a 1.4ft SSW secondary swell at 4s. 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 Elbow Ledge is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 7.7s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Elbow Ledge 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 Elbow Ledge. 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.
Elbow Ledge is a reef with a rock bottom, suited to advanced surfers. Elbow Ledge is a raw, exposed reef break tucked along the rocky Rhode Island coastline near the southern shore, where submerged ledges and rock shelves shape punchy, fast-breaking waves with surprising power. The spot comes alive during fall groundswells out of the south-southeast, producing hollow, ledging sections that reward experienced surfers willing to hunt it down. Its relative obscurity and technical bottom make it one of Rhode Island's more challenging and rewarding discoveries for those in the know.
The prime season at Elbow Ledge 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 Elbow Ledge include shallow rock ledge, sharp rocks, strong currents, remote location, cold water. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Elbow Ledge 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.
