Surf Forecasts:
Block Island surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, SSW swell with 232 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Block Island this week:
The surf forecast for Block Island over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Block Island in the next 16 days are 1.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Block Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you about Block Island – it’s a tough watch for the next two weeks. The guidance tells us this spot is a rarely-breaking point break, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing. The first 16 days are a real grind, with barely a session worth paddling out for.
The pattern is dominated by weak, short-period windswell, and the wind is almost always working against us. For the first week or so, the swell is tiny, usually under 3 ft, and the period is a dismal 4 to 7 seconds, which is just bumpy, gutless stuff. The energy is pathetic, usually under 200 (that’s weak combined energy), and the wind is cross or onshore, chopping it all up. There’s a long stretch from the 24th right through to the 31st of August where there’s simply nothing worth your time. It’s a proper blank run.
The only flicker of anything comes in the second week. On the morning of 31 August, we get a tiny 1 ft swell but with a very long 19-second period. That’s a groundswell, but it’s a whisper. The wind is offshore from the NW, so it’ll be clean, but the combined energy is still only 165 (weak). On a slow day, you might get a few knee-high lines, but it’s a real stretch to call it surf.
Then, on the 3rd of September, we finally see a pulse. The combined energy jumps to 1078 (moderate) on Thursday morning, with a 5 ft swell from the SE. That’s the biggest we get, but the wind is a cross-shore from the ENE, making it messy. The afternoon is better: the swell bumps to 6 ft, and the wind shifts to a cross-offshore from the WNW, with the energy hitting 1422 (moderate). The period is 15 seconds, so it’s proper groundswell. This is the only stand-out window. For a point break, that long period from the SE is a decent match, and the wind will clean it up. However, the 6 ft is pushing into expert territory for a spot that rarely breaks, and the crowds are often, so don’t expect solitude.
The 4th of September morning offers a solid backup: 4 ft from the SE with a 14-second period and a clean offshore wind from the NNW. The energy is 780 (moderate). It’s a good combo, but not as strong as the day before.
After that, it fades fast. By the 6th and 7th, we’re back to tiny, weak swells and gutless energy. The water temperature is 69°F, which is about 1°F cooler than average for this time of year, so nothing unusual.
So, if you’re a surfer, the best bet is the afternoon of the 3rd of September. That’s the standout. The conditions will be the cleanest we’ll see, and the swell has some size. For the rest of the 16 days? Honestly, it’s a better setup for a kite than a paddle. The consistent wind and small, weak swells will keep the surfers on the beach.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 18°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 25°C on Fri night, min 21°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SE 11 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 8 | S 7 | S 6 | SE 8 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
64 | 64 | 68 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 64 | 83 | 70 | 72 | 81 | 75 | 152 | 168 | 173 | 74 | 38 | 41 | 25 | 47 | 165 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | off | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:36PM0.86m | 6:56AM0.76m | 7:13PM0.89m | 7:35AM0.82m | 7:47PM0.91m | 8:10AM0.87m | 8:18PM0.93m | 8:43AM0.91m | 8:50PM0.94m | 9:14AM0.95m | 9:25PM0.94m | 9:47AM0.98m | 10:03PM0.92m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:06PM0.18m | 00:57AM0.14m | 12:50PM0.15m | 1:31AM0.09m | 1:30PM0.11m | 2:02AM0.05m | 2:08PM0.09m | 2:30AM0.02m | 2:43PM0.07m | 2:55AM0.01m | 3:19PM0.05m | 3:22AM0.00m | 3:56PM0.05m | 3:52AM0.01m | |||||||
6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
— | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 |
Temp °C | 23 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 22 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | SE 11 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SE 6 | SW 5 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 7 | SE 8 | SSW 8 | S 7 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 6 |
64 | 19 | 68 | 16 | 10 | 26 | 64 | 83 | 70 | 72 | 81 | 75 | 152 | 44 | 173 | 74 | 38 | 33 | 11 | 18 | 165 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | E 6 | SE 11 | ESE 6 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 5 | — | SSW 5 | — | SW 4 | E 11 | SE 8 | E 10 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 7 | E 9 | — |
21 | 3 | 30 | 8 | 17 | 26 | 1 | — | 5 | — | 5 | 2 | 55 | 2 | 53 | 32 | 31 | 41 | 4 | 2 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | — | E 7 | SE 11 | E 6 | ESE 6 | E 6 | — | — | — | E 11 | — | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | S 6 | E 9 | — | S 20 |
3 | — | 4 | 29 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 6 | — | W 3 | SW 4 | W 4 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | S 5 | — | SSW 7 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | — |
— | 64 | — | 6 | 29 | 20 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 43 | — | 168 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 25 | 47 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 26 | 198 | 24 | 159 | 204 | 49 | 49 | 1084 | 131 | 133 | 606 | 195 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 24 | 634 | 81 | 29 | 219 | 24 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Rhode Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Block Island Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Block Island provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Block Island can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Block Island surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Block Island) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Block Island may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Block Island is 33 km (20 miles) from Westerly. If you plan a vacation in Rhode Island, look for hotels and other accommodation in Westerly. Westerly has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











