🇺🇸 NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND

Ruggles

Newport's legendary big-wave reef break

SMALL

Live Conditions

Conditions Summary

3ft waves — but short 8s period indicates wind swell, expect choppy conditions — hitting at the ideal angle — cross-onshore wind affecting quality

HIGH CONFIDENCEFresh buoy data + calibrated transformation

Why it's SMALL

Swell Direction

Primary swell is 132° — matches the ideal 160° window for this spot

Swell Period

9s — short-period swell. Waves will have less power than a true groundswell.

Wind

2mph cross-shore — not ideal but surfable if wind is light

Tide

Falling tide — workable window

Season

October is peak season for this spot

Data Confidence

Fresh buoy data with calibrated coastal transformation

At the Break

3.3ft

HIGH CONFIDENCE

Fresh buoy data + calibrated transformation

Period

Mid-period

Wind

2mph

CROSS-SHORE

Water

60°F

3/2 wetsuit

Live Buoy 44097

2.6ft

45 min ago

Tide

MID-TIDE · FALLING

1.9ft

Next low: in 2 hr 32 min

Swell Direction

85%

Wind Direction

60%

Primary Swell

2.0ft @ 7.1s

SE 136°

Secondary Swell

0.3ft @ 2.1s

NNE 20°

10 Day Outlook

1.6ft

TODAY

Oct 28

(9s)

3.4ft

TMRW

Oct 29

(8s)

4.4ft

FRI

Oct 30

(6s)

2.8ft

SAT

Oct 31

(8s)

2.1ft

SUN

Nov 1

(9s)

2.0ft

MON

Nov 2

(8s)

2.2ft

TUE

Nov 3

(9s)

2.2ft

WED

Nov 4

(8s)

8.5ft

THU

Nov 5

(8s)

14.0ft

FRI

Nov 6

(10s)

Best this week: SUN Nov 1 — 2.1ft

Best next week: FRI Nov 6 — 14.0ft

Incoming Swell Events

Day 9

solid

Swell building to 8.5ft @ 8s

Day 10

epic

Major swell arriving — 14.0ft @ 10s

Model Breakdown

ECMWF (45%)0.9ft

ICON (35%)2.0ft

GFS (20%)1.4ft

Model confidence65%

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: Oct

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

Not a beginner wave.

Know the rocks, know the locals, earn your waves.

Best access via the Cliff Walk.

Time your trip with hurricane season (Aug-Oct typically).