Rhode Island
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at K38/39, Rhode Island. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and poor - fair with gentle SSW breeze.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SE swell at 8s with light winds out of the NNW. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 11mph from the WNW and dropping conditions to very poor.
Tue, May 12: 0–1ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 8mph from the N. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 14mph.
Wed, May 13: 0–1ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 11mph from the SW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 16mph.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 14mph SSE winds.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
K38/39 is a lesser-known Rhode Island beach break tucked along the southern coastline, picking up south and southeast swells that funnel through the open Atlantic. The spot produces punchy, hollow peaks that shift with the sandbars, rewarding surfers who take the time to read the banks. Its NNE-facing orientation means it can light up nicely on the right combination of southerly swell and offshore winds, making it a solid find for those exploring Rhode Island's quieter stretches of coastline.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at K38/39 is 2-3ft with a 8.1s swell period. Wind is SSW at 10mph 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 K38/39 is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.8ft SSE primary swell at 8s, a 0.9ft 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 K38/39 is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 7.85s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
K38/39 works best with a SSE swell and NNE 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 K38/39. 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.
K38/39 is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. K38/39 is a lesser-known Rhode Island beach break tucked along the southern coastline, picking up south and southeast swells that funnel through the open Atlantic. The spot produces punchy, hollow peaks that shift with the sandbars, rewarding surfers who take the time to read the banks. Its NNE-facing orientation means it can light up nicely on the right combination of southerly swell and offshore winds, making it a solid find for those exploring Rhode Island's quieter stretches of coastline.
The prime season at K38/39 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 K38/39 include rip currents, shifting sandbars, cold water, occasional shore break. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our K38/39 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.
