🇺🇸 NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND
Ruggles
Newport's legendary big-wave reef break
SMALL
Live Conditions
Conditions Summary
Small 2.3ft surf — but short 6s period indicates wind swell, expect choppy conditions — from a workable direction — light cross-shore winds, still manageable — 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 155° — matches the ideal 160° window for this spot
Swell Period
7s — this is wind chop, not groundswell. Waves will be weak and disorganized.
Wind
4mph offshore — clean, grooming the wave face
Tide
Falling tide — workable window
Season
June is off-season — rare for this spot to get quality waves
Data Confidence
Fresh buoy data with calibrated coastal transformation
At the Break
2.3ft
HIGH CONFIDENCE
Fresh buoy data + calibrated transformation
Period
7s
✗ Wind swell
Wind
4mph
SW
OFFSHORE
Water
62°F
3/2 wetsuit
Live Buoy 44097
2.0ft
7s
33 min ago
Tide
MID-TIDE · FALLING
3.8ft
Next low: in 3 hr 52 min
Swell Direction
70%
Wind Direction
80%
Primary Swell
1.8ft @ 4.5s
S 191°
Secondary Swell
0.7ft @ 10.4s
SE 135°
10 Day Outlook
3.7ft
TODAY
Jun 14
(7s)
3.7ft
TMRW
Jun 15
(7s)
3.2ft
TUE
Jun 16
(7s)
2.4ft
WED
Jun 17
(7s)
6.1ft
THU
Jun 18
(7s)
5.3ft
FRI
Jun 19
(8s)
4.7ft
SAT
Jun 20
(8s)
3.2ft
SUN
Jun 21
(7s)
6.6ft
MON
Jun 22
(7s)
3.7ft
TUE
Jun 23
(7s)
Best this week: THU Jun 18 — 6.1ft
Best next week: MON Jun 22 — 6.6ft
Incoming Swell Events
Day 5
moderate
Swell building to 6.1ft @ 7s
Day 9
moderate
Swell building to 6.6ft @ 7s
Model Breakdown
ECMWF (45%)0.8ft
ICON (35%)2.0ft
GFS (20%)1.7ft
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: Jun
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 9 · Jun 22
6.6ft @ 7s
GOOD
Trip Cost Estimate
Flights from NYC~$200
Hotel per night~$220
Weekend est.~$860
5 day est.~$1300
Week est.~$1740