🇺🇸 NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND
Ruggles
Newport's legendary big-wave reef break
SMALL
Live Conditions
Conditions Summary
4ft waves — but short 6s period indicates wind swell, expect choppy conditions — hitting at the ideal angle — 8mph onshore wind roughing up the surface — Note: this is outside the peak season for this spot
HIGH CONFIDENCEFresh buoy data + calibrated transformation
Why it's SMALL
Swell Direction
Primary swell is 159° — matches the ideal 160° window for this spot
Swell Period
6s — this is wind chop, not groundswell. Waves will be weak and disorganized.
Wind
8mph onshore — light but will soften wave shape
Tide
Falling tide — workable window
Season
July is off-season — rare for this spot to get quality waves
Data Confidence
Fresh buoy data with calibrated coastal transformation
At the Break
4.4ft
HIGH CONFIDENCE
Fresh buoy data + calibrated transformation
Period
6s
✗ Wind swell
Wind
8mph
NE
ONSHORE
Water
69°F
Spring suit
Live Buoy 44097
3.9ft
6s
48 min ago
Tide
MID-TIDE · FALLING
1.5ft
Next low: in 58 min
Swell Direction
100%
Wind Direction
20%
Primary Swell
3.5ft @ 5.0s
SSE 155°
Secondary Swell
0.7ft @ 5.0s
NNE 30°
10 Day Outlook
4.2ft
TODAY
Jul 30
(8s)
3.1ft
TMRW
Jul 31
(9s)
3.1ft
SAT
Aug 1
(9s)
2.7ft
SUN
Aug 2
(7s)
5.1ft
MON
Aug 3
(8s)
4.5ft
TUE
Aug 4
(8s)
5.7ft
WED
Aug 5
(7s)
3.7ft
THU
Aug 6
(6s)
2.0ft
FRI
Aug 7
(6s)
3.0ft
SAT
Aug 8
(11s)
Best this week: today — 4.2ft
Best next week: SAT Aug 8 — 3.0ft
Incoming Swell Events
Day 5
moderate
Swell building to 5.1ft @ 8s
Model Breakdown
ECMWF (45%)1.9ft
ICON (35%)3.8ft
GFS (20%)4.1ft
Model confidence45%
Updated every 30 mins · Open-Meteo ECMWF + ICON + GFS
About
Ruggles is one of the East Coast's heaviest and most respected waves — a powerful reef break just off the Cliff Walk in Newport. When hurricane swells push into Rhode Island, Ruggles becomes a serious big wave. A wave for advanced surfers only, with rocks, current, and occasional crowds of the best surfers in the region.
The Break
Ruggles Avenue — a heavy right-breaking reef point. Entry and exit are over rocks.
Ideal Conditions
S/SE swell 6-15ft, offshore W/NW wind, mid tide
Best Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months highlighted · Current: Jul
Trip Planner
Newport Big Wave Mission
Weekend · 3 Days
Friday
Wait for a hurricane swell forecast. Drive to Newport, scout Ruggles from the Cliff Walk to gauge the conditions.
Saturday
Big wave day at Ruggles if forecast confirms. Otherwise, watch and study the break from the cliffs.
Sunday
Pack up, drive home.
Hurricane Swell Watch in Newport
Full Week · 7 Days
Day 1
Arrive Newport, monitor swell forecasts, scout Ruggles from the Cliff Walk.
Day 2-4
Session windows when swell arrives. Study the rocks, currents, and peak. Respect the break.
Day 5
Final session or rest day, prepare to leave.
Local Knowledge
01
Not a beginner wave.
02
Know the rocks, know the locals, earn your waves.
03
Best access via the Cliff Walk.
04
Time your trip with hurricane season (Aug-Oct typically).
Best Window
Day 7 · Aug 5
5.7ft @ 7s
GOOD
Trip Cost Estimate
Flights from NYC~$200
Hotel per night~$220
Weekend est.~$860
5 day est.~$1300
Week est.~$1740