Bonnet Shores Point
- Shortboard, Bodyboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Bonnet Shores Point is a rocky, point-break surf spot in Rhode Island known for being fickle and having limited break days. The wave is described as working best when the right swell direction meets favorable offshore winds, with one source emphasizing west-northwest offshore wind conditions. When the setup is correct, surfers can find good quality, peeling waves with the potential for long, steep rides. Providers also describe the bottom as boulder-covered/rocky, which contributes to the character of the break but also makes conditions unforgiving if you miss your line or fall near hazards. Access is a major constraint: the immediate point area is surrounded by private property and a beach club, and parking is extremely limited. Many surfers therefore paddle from nearby public areas to reach the point, which adds distance and increases fatigue/risk in rougher weather. From a seasonal standpoint, July is highlighted as a best month by one guide, while another provider notes late-summer into autumn as the strongest period due to storm-driven swells. Regardless of season, cold-water gear planning matters—winter conditions are associated with very cold water and the need for full winter protection, while summer water temperatures still generally warrant wetsuiting.
- Fickle but can produce long, steep rides
- Rock hazards and boulder-covered bottom
- Offshore west-northwest winds are best for setup
- Access restrictions make entry a key challenge
- Good wave quality when conditions line up
- Potential for long, steep rides and occasional barrel sections
- Offshore west-northwest winds described as best for surf
- Rock hazards and difficult rocky entry
- Spot is fickle and rarely breaks
- Highly restricted access and extremely limited parking
- Wind and swell setup must be just right
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- WNW
- Offshore directions
- WNW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Provider data conflicts on wind mechanism: one source lists winds as west-northwest offshore, while another labels wind type as frontal.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- July, September, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- The point can be sheltered from more northerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Some sources describe sand with rocks; others emphasize a rocky/boulder area at the point.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Flat — One guide lists flat for wave size; other providers describe working swell up to about 1.0–2.5 meters depending on setup.
- Launch
- Small — Difficult rocky entry; many surfers enter from adjacent areas.
- Launch Difficulty
- Expert only — Entry is described as difficult; access is also restricted.
Through the year
Can be crowded on good swells, but access restrictions naturally limit the number of surfers.
Late summer and autumn bring potential hurricane swells; winter sees frequent nor'easters.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A fickle point break over a rocky/boulder-strewn bottom. When the swell/wind combination is right, it can provide long, steep rides and occasional barrel sections, but it is not consistently reliable and requires careful setup.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — One provider notes all-tides; another lists mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — One provider describes the point as exposed; another describes semi-sheltered conditions depending on wind.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the west-northwest are described as best; wind can also be important for whether the wave forms reliably.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold larger storm swell and becomes increasingly difficult to paddle out; can hold roughly chest-high to double overhead in bigger conditions.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Wave power described as powerful by one provider; another describes moderate power depending on correct setup.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides described as long/steep with potential for barrels; providers differ on right vs left-handed setup.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Providers mention peels for up to about 250 meters and also cite shorter typical rides.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Bonnet Shores Point in the full forecast view.
Bonnet Shores Point wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–10 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- W277°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2710 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–0.8 m5s period
- Temperature
- 4–18 °C
Over the next 7 days, Bonnet Shores Point is forecast for daytime winds of 2–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.2–0.8 m with a period of about 5s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Submerged boulders
- Rip currents
- Restricted access
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Provider data indicates no rescue at the spot, while the regional context notes maritime coverage by nearby Coast Guard stations and local fire/rescue response.
- Emergency Info
- In the US, dial 911 for emergency services.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism reported, tied to access limitations.
Rules of the spot
Intermediate skill required; watch for rocks. Access is highly restricted due to private property and a beach club area; respect the residential community and follow local access rules.
- Private property access issues
- Restricted parking
- Access is the biggest hurdle—many surfers need to paddle from nearby public areas rather than entering directly at the point.
- Respect the private residential community and the limited access available.
- Be cautious of rocks and boulders around the immediate point.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Narragansett
- Nearest Town
- Narragansett
- Parking
- Extremely limited; most on-street parking is for residents only with permits required.
- Access
- Access is highly restricted because it is located within a private residential neighborhood and beach club area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Various rentals in Narragansett.
- Food & Drink
- Dining options are available a short drive away in Narragansett.
- Equipment Rental:
- Extensive surf and SUP rental options are available in central Narragansett; specialized kite/windsurf rental is less common locally.
- Gear Storage
- Limited public gear storage; most riders rely on private vehicles or shop services.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard and wetsuit repair is available at local surf shops; no dedicated kite or wind-related repair facilities on-site.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Narragansett area offers a classic New England coastal experience with rocky shoreline scenery and surf-focused community events.
An iconic historic structure spanning Ocean Road, the last remains of the Narragansett Pier Casino.
A historic active lighthouse located on the west side of the entrance to Narragansett Bay.
The area is the ancestral home of the Narragansett people, with local historical markers and tribal events.
World-class fishing for striped bass and tuna departing from the Port of Galilee.
Historic restaurant offering upscale dining and sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Large, well-maintained sandy beach with pavilions, snack bars, and excellent beginner surfing.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Bonnet Shores Point?
The best overall months at Bonnet Shores Point are July, September, October. The best wind months are July, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Bonnet Shores Point?
Bonnet Shores Point works with WNW winds. Offshore directions are WNW.
What skill level is Bonnet Shores Point suitable for?
Bonnet Shores Point suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.