North Pier (Narragansett) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what's on offer for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, for the entire 16-day stretch, it's looking like a real quiet spell. There's no standout, no big session on the cards. You're getting a constant run of clean but tiny, weak swells that are barely getting out of bed. The first few days through the end of July are the most consistent, but even then, we're talking knee-high dribble. The whole run is plagued by poor surf conditions, with the combined swell energy staying mostly in the gutless two-digit range. There's a slight bump mid-period, but nothing to get excited about.

Let’s start with the beginning. Thursday afternoon, July 23rd, is the first possible paddle, with a tiny 3ft south swell, period a short 8 seconds, and the energy at just 99. That’s weak. North Pier (Narragansett) is a sheltered spot, needing an easterly wind to work, and we're getting a cross-off from the SSW, which keeps it clean enough. The water is sitting at 69°, which is a touch cooler than average for this time of year. It’s small, it’s weak, but it’s the start.

Friday, July 24th, into the weekend, the swell drops even more. We’re looking at 2ft and smaller, with periods under 8 seconds and energy numbers down in the 20s and 30s. Not much to work with. The wind offers up some glassy moments, notably Wednesday afternoon, July 29th, with 2ft south swell and a period of 8s, and a glassy NNE breeze, and again on Friday morning, July 31st, with 2-3ft south swell, 9-second period, and glassy east wind. Those are the prettiest windows, but the wave height is still tiny, making it a log or fish kind of day.

Then we roll into August. There’s a small spike in energy on Tuesday, July 28th afternoon, where the combined swell energy hits 180 (moderate), with a 4-5ft SSE swell, but the period is a short 7 seconds and the wind is a messy cross-shore. It’s the biggest wave of the forecast, but the quality isn't there.

After that first week, it's a long, drawn-out slide into even smaller, weaker surf. Into the second week (August 1st onwards), it's a lot of wind, some rain, and waves that barely register. From the start of August, we have several days of cross-off and glassy winds on tiny 1-2ft swell, with energy readings in the teens and twenties. Thursday, August 6th sees the smallest energy of all, a pathetic 5, with a 0.6-0.8ft south swell. The run finally fizzles out completely by Friday, August 7th, with nothing but onshore chop on a 1ft base. That's a solid week of nothing.

For a break like North Pier, which is fairly consistent, this kind of prolonged flat spell is not unusual for the summer doldrums. There's just no energy. For a beginner, the waves are never too big, so it's safe, but there’s hardly anything to ride.

The best bet? If you’re desperate for a surf, your window is that glassy Friday morning, July 31st, with the 2-3ft south swell. It’s the biggest of the clean ones, but keep expectations in check. It's a weak little groundswell with a 9-second period, and the direction isn't ideal for the pier, which wants east. You'll be scratching for anything. Honestly, given the size and quality, this setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer on a light-wind foil than a paddle surfer hunting for a proper wave.

Stay patient. It tends not to stay this poor for long, and forecasts can always change, but right now, the outlook is bleak.

Rusty.

Read more