Welcome to Rhode Island

A Surf Travel Guide written by Andrew Estus and Colin Egan

General Overview:

Welcome to the most well-known state in New England for surfing. It is the smallest state in the United States, but with 400 miles of coastline, Rhode Island certainly has a few good spots to hit the waves and surf. The purpose of this travel guide is to show you four of our favorite surf spots and what to expect. This travel guide has been created as a writing project for a class at the University of Rhode Island called URI WRT 104. Check out the "About URI WRT 104" page to learn more. Below are some frequently asked questions about surfing in the Ocean State that you may find helpful.

How much does the water temperature change during the year, and what types of wet-suits and accessories should I have?

This is a great question, because Rhode Island has four very distinct seasons, just like any state in New England. In the winter Months of January, February and March, the oceans are known to dip down to around 35 degrees Fahrenheit. We would highly recommend a wet-suit that is at least 5 mm in width, a 3 mm surf hood, and surf boots/gloves ranging from 5-7 mm in thickness for the most warmth. Frostbite is not ideal for anyone. In the spring and fall months, a 3 mm full-body wet suit will do just fine if the water is above 60 degrees and the air is generally warm. The summer months are when wet-suits are optional due to the 65+ degree water and warm air. Boots may come in handy at rocky beaches. Look through the pages above to check out what equipment is recommended for each spot.

What kind of board should I bring?

This really depends on where you surf and how the waves and wind are that day. Small waves and adverse wind may call for a longer board because the increased length will help you paddle faster and catch more of those "mushy" waves. Short boards are great for larger waves and better wind. These boards can travel much faster in a larger wave, and are more maneuverable. If travelling to Rhode Island, we recommend that you bring a board of at least 8' in length, and a second 6'3-7'0 board to get the most out of Rhode Island's unique surf breaks. The type of wave matters as well. If the spot you are surfing at has waves that usually break to the left or right, you may want to figure out the best board for you in these conditions. This is completely personal preference. One thing to be careful for here in Rhode Island are "closeout waves", which means that the whole wave breaks all at once. This makes it difficult to paddle around the wave and avoid getting pushed back. Using a short board in closeout conditions may be a good idea because you will be able to "duck dive" underneath the closeouts. Long boards have more volume, so they are much more difficult to duck dive, if it is possible at all.

Are there hotels and other places to stay in Rhode Island?

Yes, there are many hotel and house-rental options. Make sure to make any arrangements early due to the many tourists in the area, especially during the summer. There are many hotels in Newport, Rhode Island, along with hotels on the mainland located in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. South Kingstown is only a 10-30 minute drive from all of the major beaches on the mainland. Newport is much more expensive.

What surf-forecasting sites are the most helpful for planning my trip?

From our experiences, Magicseaweed.com and Surfline.com are the two most accurate forecasting sites for planning a surf trip. Both sites go into great detail of the ideal tides, wave height, swell direction, swell period and so on. Surfline is more unique because it has surf cameras available at most spots in Rhode Island (not Second Beach in Newport). Surf camera viewing on Surfline is available at Matunuck and Point Judith. Narragansett Town Beach has a surf camera sponsored by nearby Warm Winds Surf Shop. Links to these sites are available in the descriptions of each surf spot in this travel guide. Go check it out!

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