Rhode Island
Best window·Thursday 6AM–9AM·3ft·Fair
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.
Wed, Jun 24: 2–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 2ft and mostly poor - fair with glassy conditions.
Thu, Jun 25: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSE swell at 8s and barely a breath of wind. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Fri, Jun 26: 2–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 8mph SSW winds.
Sat, Jun 27: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SSE swell at 6s with light S winds. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Sun, Jun 28: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Patience pays off today — morning is poor with 2ft. Afternoon shapes up better with 2-3ft and poor - fair conditions.
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 2-3ft with a 6.65s swell period. Wind is W at 6mph 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 Pilgrim is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.5ft SSE primary swell at 7s, a 1.2ft WSW wind swell swell at 3s. 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 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.
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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
