Rhode Island
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.
Sun, May 10: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and poor - fair with moderate SSW wind around 12mph.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Consistent 2-3ft surf through the day on SE swell at 8s with light winds out of the NW. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 10mph.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with moderate NNW wind around 7mph. Afternoon breeze fills in to 14mph.
Wed, May 13: 0–1ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with moderate SW wind around 11mph. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 16mph.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 14mph out of the SSE.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
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 2-3+ft with a 8.05s swell period. Wind is SSW at 11mph 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 Matunuck is 2-3+ft, produced by a 2.8ft SSE primary swell at 8s, a 1ft 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 Matunuck is Monday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 3ft waves, a 8.1s 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
