Rhode Island
Best window·Thursday 6AM–9AM·3ft·Fair
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Matunuck, 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: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SSE swell at 7s with glassy conditions. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Thu, Jun 25: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on SSE swell at 8s with light WNW winds. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and poor - fair by then.
Fri, Jun 26: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Patience pays off today — morning is poor with 1-2ft. Surf builds nicely through the day to 3-4ft with poor - fair conditions by the afternoon.
Sat, Jun 27: 2–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2ft on SSE swell at 6s with light winds out of the W. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Sun, Jun 28: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Afternoon is the play — morning is only poor at 2ft. Things come together by the afternoon with 2-3ft at poor - fair.
Matunuck is one of Rhode Island's most beloved surf spots, situated along the south-facing coastline of South Kingstown where it catches South Atlantic swells with surprising consistency for New England. The break produces punchy, powerful beach break waves that can get hollow on the right combination of south or southeast swell and offshore northerly winds, making it a local favorite when conditions align. Its WNW-facing transect means it's well-positioned to pick up energy from both summer hurricane swells and the powerful fall and winter nor'easters that sweep up the East Coast.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Matunuck is 2-3ft with a 6.7s swell period. Wind is W at 6mph 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 Matunuck is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.5ft SSE primary swell at 7s, a 1ft WSW 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 Matunuck is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 7.75s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Matunuck works best with a S swell and WNW 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 Matunuck. 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.
Matunuck is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Matunuck is one of Rhode Island's most beloved surf spots, situated along the south-facing coastline of South Kingstown where it catches South Atlantic swells with surprising consistency for New England. The break produces punchy, powerful beach break waves that can get hollow on the right combination of south or southeast swell and offshore northerly winds, making it a local favorite when conditions align. Its WNW-facing transect means it's well-positioned to pick up energy from both summer hurricane swells and the powerful fall and winter nor'easters that sweep up the East Coast.
The prime season at Matunuck 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 Matunuck include strong currents, rip currents, crowds on peak swell days, cold water, localism. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Matunuck 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.
