Surf Travel Guide: Matunuck, Rhode Island

Ask most surfers where to find waves on the East Coast and they will say Florida or the Outer Banks. Rhode Island barely gets a mention, yet the Ocean State has some of the best and most consistent surf in New England, and Matunuck is one of its quiet stars. If you are searching for the best surf in Rhode Island, or an underrated East Coast surf trip that is close to Boston, Providence and New York, this Matunuck surf travel guide covers the breaks, the season, where to stay and where to eat.

Why Matunuck?

Matunuck is a stretch of south-coast beach in South Kingstown with three breaks in one: Deep Hole, Trestles and The Point. Cobblestone reefs groom the swell into defined peaks, it works year round, and it is usually less crowded than the famous ledges at Point Judith. Locals wait for the fall, when the crowds thin, the water is still tolerable and hurricane swells push energy up the coast.

→ The south coast picks up southeast and south-southeast swells from September to November.

↳ Summers are small, fickle and crowded, so the real season starts when the tourists leave.

Getting There & Getting Around

Rhode Island is small, so Matunuck is easy to reach from most of the Northeast.

Fly into T.F. Green Airport (PVD) in Providence. Narragansett is roughly 45 minutes from Providence and 30 minutes from Newport.
→ Boston is about 90 minutes away by road, and New York City is about three hours.
↳ Rent a car. The best breaks are spread between Narragansett, Point Judith, Matunuck and Newport, and you will want to chase the swell direction.

When to Surf

September is the region's sweet spot: hurricane swells still push north, the water sits around 61 to 64°F (16 to 18°C), and the lineup thins once summer visitors leave. Fall and winter storms bring the biggest waves. Winter water can drop to 36 to 46°F (2 to 8°C), so a 4/3 wetsuit is the minimum from November to March, and a hooded suit with boots and gloves in the coldest months. Reef booties help at rocky entries. Never paddle out alone in winter.

Surf Breaks

Trestles (Matunuck): An A-frame peak with hollow rights and zippy lefts, best at lower tides.
Wave: Fast A-frame over cobbles.
Level: Intermediate to advanced.
Deep Hole (Matunuck): A speedy left that works best at low tide, at the eastern end of the beach.
Wave: Punchy, fast left.
Level: Intermediate to advanced.
The Point (Matunuck): A well-defined peak with short rights and long, rolling lefts.
Wave: Rolling walls.
Level: Intermediate.
Narragansett Town Beach: The southern section is set aside for surfers, and it is the friendliest place to learn on smaller days.
Wave: Typical beach break.
Level: Beginner to intermediate.
Ruggles (Newport): One of the East Coast's premier big-wave spots, working on strong south to southeast hurricane swells. Residential parking permits may apply.
Wave: Ledging right that needs a semi-gun or gun on serious swells.
Level: Experienced surfers only.

Photographing Rhode Island Surf

Rhode Island surf is a photographer's dream in fall: moody light, cobblestone reefs and a small crowd. Ruggles is best watched from the Cliff Walk between Newport's mansions and the ocean, where you can see the whole natural arena. At Matunuck, shoot from the beach with a long lens and keep an eye on the tide. Whatever you shoot, upload it to Surf Snaps and surfers can find their session by spot and date, without needing to know who took the photo.

Where to Stay (Hotels)

→ Narragansett is the natural base, with Matunuck a short drive west. Hotel listings there start from roughly $126 a night in 2026, and prices climb in summer.

Budget ($)

Fishermen's Memorial State Park Campground, Narragansett
A campground half a mile from Narragansett's main strip, handy for surfers on a budget who are happy to camp.

Boutique ($$$)

The Break Hotel
A 16-room retro-chic boutique hotel in Narragansett with fireplaces in every room, a heated saltwater pool and sauna open year round to guests, and a rooftop lounge. Scarborough Beach is a two minute drive away.

Food & Drink

Local Lunch: Matunuck Oyster Bar
→ A Rhode Island seafood institution, about 15 minutes from The Break Hotel.
Chowder: Iggy's Doughboys & Chowder House
→ A Narragansett classic for clam chowder and doughboys, a short walk from The Break.
Seafood: George's of Galilee and Champlin's
→ Harbor-side seafood near the Point Judith ferry terminal, ideal after a session at Point Judith.

FAQ: Surfing in Rhode Island

Where is the best surf in Rhode Island?

Matunuck, Point Judith, Narragansett and Ruggles in Newport are the main spots. Matunuck offers three breaks in one, and Point Judith and Ruggles are the heaviest.

When is the best time to surf Rhode Island?

September to November is the sweet spot, with hurricane swells from August to December. Winter storms can be even bigger, but the water is near freezing.

What wetsuit do I need?

A 4/3 minimum from November to March, with a hood, boots and gloves in the coldest months. In summer, a spring suit or boardshorts will do.

Is Rhode Island good for beginners?

Narragansett Town Beach and Second Beach welcome beginners on smaller days. Most reef breaks are for intermediate to advanced surfers.

How do I find photos of my Rhode Island session?

Search Surf Snaps by sport, place and date on the explore page to find galleries from the day you surfed.

More Underrated Surf and Kitesurf Spots

Keep exploring with the rest of this series and our other surf travel guides.