Best Time to Surf South Kingstown (2026)

South Kingstown, Rhode Island — Month-by-month surf guide

0
Minimal

Surfing in April

April

South Kingstown is between peak seasons right now. Expect 2-4 ft waves and 48°F water. Peak month: September.

Surf Score by Month

Score reflects overall surf quality each month — combining peak season activity, water temperature, and crowd levels.

Monthly Breakdown

January

0
Waves3-6 ft
Water temp40°F
Wetsuit5/4mm + boots/gloves/hood
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking0

Nor'easters, Narragansett empty

February

0
Waves3-5 ft
Water temp38°F
Wetsuit5/4mm + boots/gloves/hood
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking1

Cold water, consistent NE swells

March

0
Waves2-5 ft
Water temp40°F
Wetsuit5/4mm + boots/gloves/hood
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking1

Late winter, uncrowded Ruggles

April

0
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp48°F
Wetsuit4/3mm + boots
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking0

Spring swells arriving

May

0
Waves1-3 ft
Water temp55°F
Wetsuit3/2mm
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking0

Small but clean, warming water

June

0
Waves1-2 ft
Water temp62°F
Wetsuitspring suit
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking0

Summer crowds, minimal swell

July

0
Waves1-2 ft
Water temp65°F
Wetsuitspring suit
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking0

Peak summer, mostly flat

August

0
Waves1-3 ft
Water temp68°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking1

Hurricane swells building

September

Peak
0
Waves3-8 ft
Water temp66°F
Wetsuitspring suit
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking1

Peak hurricane swells, warm water

October

Peak
0
Waves3-6 ft
Water temp60°F
Wetsuit3/2mm
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking1

Fall nor'easters, offshore winds

November

Peak
0
Waves3-6 ft
Water temp52°F
Wetsuit4/3mm
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking1

Consistent storms, empty lineup

December

0
Waves3-5 ft
Water temp44°F
Wetsuit5/4mm + boots/gloves/hood
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking0

Winter sets in, hardcore crew

Dawn Patrol vs Afternoon Sessions

Dawn Patrol

  • Typically glassier conditions before onshore winds build
  • Smaller crowds, especially on weekdays
  • Water temps at their coolest — plan your wetsuit for the low end (40°F in winter)
  • Best for beach breaks and exposed reef setups in South Kingstown

Afternoon Sessions

  • Onshore winds can create chop, but swell is often more consistent
  • Higher crowds on popular beaches, especially weekends
  • Water warms through the day — upper end (68°F in summer)
  • Sunset sessions can be magic when winds die down

Top Surf Spots in South Kingstown

Matunuck
upper-intermediatemoderate

Peak: Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Feb, Mar

Surf Guides for South Kingstown, RI