Rhode Island
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Pilgrim, 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: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 12mph from the SSW.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with gentle NNW breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 11mph.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 7mph NNW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 14mph.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with moderate SW wind around 11mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 16mph by PM.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 14mph SSE winds.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Pilgrim is a Rhode Island beach break tucked along the southern coastline near Point Judith Pond, facing northwest toward Narragansett Bay's outer waters. The spot picks up south and southeast swells that wrap into the break, producing punchy, short-period waves that reward surfers who can read shifting sandbars. Fall months bring the most consistent surf as Atlantic hurricane swells and nor'easters push quality energy into this corner of Rhode Island.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Pilgrim is 1-2ft with a 8.05s swell period. Wind is SSW 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 Pilgrim is 1-2ft, 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 Pilgrim is Thursday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 2ft waves, a 5.55s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Pilgrim 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 Pilgrim. 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.
Pilgrim is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Pilgrim is a Rhode Island beach break tucked along the southern coastline near Point Judith Pond, facing northwest toward Narragansett Bay's outer waters. The spot picks up south and southeast swells that wrap into the break, producing punchy, short-period waves that reward surfers who can read shifting sandbars. Fall months bring the most consistent surf as Atlantic hurricane swells and nor'easters push quality energy into this corner of Rhode Island.
The prime season at Pilgrim 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 Pilgrim include strong currents, shifting sandbars, cold water, nor'easter storm surge, boat traffic. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Pilgrim 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.
