🇺🇸 NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND

Ruggles

Newport's legendary big-wave reef break

SMALL

Live Conditions

Conditions Summary

Small 2.1ft surf — but short 6s period indicates wind swell, expect choppy conditions — hitting at the ideal angle — 10mph onshore wind roughing up the surface

HIGH CONFIDENCEFresh buoy data + calibrated transformation

Why it's SMALL

Swell Direction

Primary swell is 121° — close to but not perfectly aligned with ideal 160°. Spot will work but not at its best.

Swell Period

11s — solid groundswell. Waves will have real energy and organization.

Wind

10mph onshore — light but will soften wave shape

Tide

Low tide — often the best window for reef/point breaks

Season

September is peak season for this spot

Data Confidence

Fresh buoy data with calibrated coastal transformation

At the Break

2.1ft

HIGH CONFIDENCE

Fresh buoy data + calibrated transformation

Period

11s

✓ Groundswell

Wind

10mph

ONSHORE

Water

73°F

Spring suit

Live Buoy 44097

1.3ft

11s

32 min ago

Tide

LOW TIDE

0.36ft

Next low: in 5 min

Swell Direction

85%

Wind Direction

20%

Primary Swell

0.9ft @ 7.6s

SE 141°

Secondary Swell

0.3ft @ 2.7s

WSW 240°

10 Day Outlook

5.1ft

TODAY

Sep 9

(9s)

6.9ft

TMRW

Sep 10

(7s)

3.6ft

FRI

Sep 11

(7s)

2.4ft

SAT

Sep 12

(7s)

4.6ft

SUN

Sep 13

(8s)

3.6ft

MON

Sep 14

(6s)

2.0ft

TUE

Sep 15

(9s)

2.2ft

WED

Sep 16

(14s)

1.7ft

THU

Sep 17

(13s)

1.5ft

FRI

Sep 18

(12s)

Best this week: today — 5.1ft

Best next week: WED Sep 16 — 2.2ft

Incoming Swell Events

Today

moderate

Swell building to 5.1ft @ 9s

Model Breakdown

ECMWF (45%)0.7ft

ICON (35%)1.3ft

GFS (20%)1.4ft

Model confidence80%

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: Sep

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).