A Comprehensive List of the Best Rhode Island Hotels for Surfers

A lot of tourists are checking out Rhode Island hotels because they’ve heard a lot of great things about the state so they want to check it out themselves. They’re a little more specific on their search. They’re looking for Rhode Island beach hotels. This is because they want to do one of the things that the state is known for – to surf.

Are there any Good Hotels in Rhode Island?

The state is not as popular as other states like New York and California when it comes to tourism so this is a valid question. Think of the state as a niche tourism state. It offers fewer attractions, but they’re amazing attractions nonetheless. This is especially true if you’re interested to surf.

Now, it’s important to note that there are only a few Rhode Island hotels on this list. This is because the state is offering cozier accommodations worth mentioning. Instead of hotels, you can see more inns, bed and breakfast establishments, cottages and the likes. This is not to say that they are lacking. There are actually a lot of amazing accommodations that you can check out. Whether you’re looking for Rhode Island beach hotels or you’ll make do with other forms of accommodation, this list can help you.

List of the Best Accommodations and Hotels in Rhode Island

Check out this list and do further research on them to see the best one for you:

• Village Inn at Narragansett Pier Hotel and Conference Center

If you’re headed to Narragansett to surf, and you should, this is probably the best choice for you. This is actually one of the best Rhode Island hotels and it’s not just for surfers. It’s one of the bigger establishments in the area so you have everything covered.

It’s located right along Beach Street so it’s one of the most popular Rhode Island beach hotels. As a bonus, it’s very near Warm Winds so you can easily pick up a surfboard and gears or attend surf lessons.

• 1900 House

Are you looking for something cozier? This inn is for you. It’s one of the highest rated inns in the area so feel free to have high expectations. It wouldn’t disappoint.

• The Break Hotel

This is considered to be the first boutique hotel in Narragansett. It’s one of the few Rhode Island hotels that truly embrace the surf culture of the state. 

There are only 16 rooms so the hotel doesn’t get too crowded and chaotic. Make sure to book early if you want a room with a view of the beach.

• Newport Beach Hotel & Suites

This is very close to Easton’s Beach. In fact, it’s less than a 10 minute walk. This hotel is packed with a lot of nice amenities like an indoor pool and a fitness center, but who cares about amenities if the water is inviting you to surf?

• The Break Hotel

One advantage of this hotel is it’s very near Point Judith. This is a good place to stay at if you’re an advanced surfer because Point Judith is very challenging. 

• The Attwater

It’s not really near the surfing water unlike the other Rhode Island beach hotels on this list, but it deserves a mention for the amazing accommodation that it offers. If you’re traveling with a loved one, you should check it out. 

Since you’re looking to surf, your best bet is the 2^nd beach (Sachuest Beach) in Middletown.

Check them Out Now!

There are a lot of other great Rhode Island hotels for surfers, but this list is a good start. Check them out to see which one is the best option for you!

How to Read and Understand the Rhode Island Surf Report

Once you discover your passion for surfing, there are a few things that you have to figure out. One of those is how to read a surf report. Surfers want to see what’s going on out in the water before they venture out there. Checking the surf report is a great way to make sure you’ll have a good, safe day on the waves.

Where to Find a Surf Report

Since I’m in Rhode Island I refer to the Rhode Island surf report. I count on this website to give me the most accurate and up to date surf report information. All of the information presented can be a bit daunting for beginning users. That’s why I am here to help. I will explain the surf report and how to accurately read and interpret it.

How to Read the Rhode Island Surf Report

The first few things you’ll see are: the weather and temperature for the day, the wind direction and speed, a buoy report, when high tide and low tide are, and the water temperature. These are at the top of the report and are represented by icons. Further information can be gathered if needed by clicking on the icons and following the links.

Below this is a swell and surf chart for the next few days. It is color coded with green meaning clear, blue meaning fair, and red meaning choppy waters. It also indicates how high the waves are: from knee to overhead. This chart also tells you beach direction, either south or east.

Further down are pull down links which if clicked on will pull up a swell table, weather forecast, tide chart, and wind table. The center of the page has  SIG wave height chart, which shows the current wave distributions. This again is color coded and you can click on certain points on the chart for different surf locations.

Below all of this is another table with surf reports from local areas including: Narragansett, Point Judith, and Gilgo Beach. This is why it’s also treated as a Narragansett surf report. Some of these locations have surf cams with live footage of the ocean. To the right is a surf forum where you can chat with local surfers about current conditions and forecasts.

The left side of the page has summaries of the conditions for the day. It tells you how the surf will be and what the day’s conditions are and will be, in words. This is arguably the best place on the page for beginners to gather their information as it’s clear to interpret and understand. There is also wind and swell information and a weekly forecast of wave height.

As I said, your first few times reading the Rhode Island surf report can be confusing, but once you get used to it you’ll find it very useful. My advice is to go and explore the site for yourself. Take your time looking at all the different charts and information. Explore all of the various links and extra information that the site will give you. 

photo credit: January rush via photopin (license)

10 Things To Do In Narragansett

Narragansett is a beautiful beachside town in Washington County, Rhode Island known as a renowned surfing community. With stunning beaches, amazing scenery, and tons of local events you’ll never want to leave. Not sure where to start when planning a trip to Narragansett? Look no further we’re here to help.

1.) Local Beaches:  As mentioned before, Narragansett is known for its stunning beaches. There’s soft sand, great waves, and clear water. Not to mention, there are so many to choose from! Narragansett Town Beach seems to be the crowd favorite but there’s also Roger W. Wheeler State Beach, Scarborough State Beach, and Salty Brine State Beach. Whether you want to take your kids to have some fun in the sun or a relaxing day with friends Narragansett beaches are the right place to do it. Don’t forget to try your luck with Warm Winds surf lessons!

2.) The Towers and Sea Wall: Take a drive down Ocean Road and you’ll be amazed at the beauty of the Narragansett Towers tucked away by the sea wall. The Towers have been around for ages and are a must see when visiting Narragansett. If you’re planning a big event and looking for a venue, this is the perfect place. Their great hall has amazing ocean views and can seat up to 180 people! The Sea Wall stretches all the way down the water near the Towers and is the perfect place to go for a run or walk the dog.

3.) Block Island Ferry: Looking for even more adventure off the main land? Take the ferry over to Block Island for the day. This ferry is the only one that runs year round. They offer a traditional ferry service or high speed. No matter how fast you want to get there, you’re all set. The ferry schedule is really convenient and offers departures all day long.

4.) Warm Winds:  The most important stop you’ll make in Narragansett by far is at the Warm Winds Surf Shop, located on 26 Kingstown Rd. They have a wide range of lifestyle clothing brands such as Quiksilver, Volcom, Roxy, and Hurley and over 500+ surfboards in inventory. Their staff is enthusiastic, helpful, and knowledgeable. What more could you ask for? They also offer surfboard repairs and lessons. There’s nothing more perfect than coming down to Narragansett and taking some surf lessons. Never stepped on a surfboard before? No problem. Warm Winds will have you riding the waves in no time and they have the friendliest staff that will be with you every step of the wave. 

Warm Winds Surf Shop

Warm Winds Surf Shop
26 Kingstown Rd
Narragansett, RI 02882
401-789-9040

5.) Fishermen’s Memorial State Park and Camping: If you’re an outdoorsy nature lover then take your RV or camping tent to Fisherman’s Memorial State Park. This park is close to all of the beloved Narragansett beaches and the Block Island Ferry Dock. There’s everything you want in one convenient place. Enjoy Narragansett from the heart.

6.) Local eateries: No one can resist a great meal, and in Narragansett there are so many places to find one! Are you a burger lover like me? Well stop by Crazy Burger Juice Bar and Café where they have tons of different combinations for you to explore. Are you a big fan of seafood? Stop by Iggy’s Chowder House and don’t forget the doughboys! Try Monahan’s located right on Ocean Road and enjoy a great view of the sea. Travel a little farther down the same road and you’ll find the Coast Guard House, which serves locally harvested seafood. Early riser? You’ll have no problem finding great places to grab some grub at sunrise. From T’s, Phil’s, to Breakfast Nook you can’t go wrong.

7.) Local Farmers Market: There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh, local produce, especially from Narragansett. When summer comes around this place is full of Farmer’s Markets that support local produce. Fishermen’s Memorial State Park holds a farmer’s market from early May to late October where you can find local baked goods, beauty products, produce, eggs, and much more. The South Kingstown/URI Farmer’s Market is another place, which is right by the URI campus. They too run from early May to late October and have tons of local products to choose from.

8.) Shopping: Narragansett is full of locally owned and small-scale businesses that have so much to offer. Make sure that you stop by the Pier Marketplace where there’s the Polka Dot Panda Children’s Boutique, KC Shoes, Special-T Shop, and more. The best part is that Warm Winds Surf Shop is right around the corner and has even more of a selection.

9.) Bars: If you’re searching for a fun night on the town, Narragansett has some great local bars that will do the trick. Mew’s Tavern has 69 microbrews on tap, great service, and delicious food. Grab some friends and head on down. Another popular place is Charlie O’s Tavern that’s open until 1 am. Stop by on Monday night for some trivia and drinks, you’re sure to have a good time. Bon Vue is the place to go especially for college kids on Thursday nights. There are three floors that are packed with people having a great time. The staff is friendly and can help with whatever you need.

10.) Scenery: I’ve mentioned some of the popular tourist attractions that everyone hits when they come to Narragansett, but there are also some that people don’t know of. Drive near the ocean and take in the salty breeze. On the drive you will pass gorgeous houses that overlook the sea and have great architecture. There are various side roads, such as Hazard Ave, that have huge rocks you can climb and stand near the ocean. It is a little dangerous but with the right gear you’ll get some great views.

Narragansett is one of my favorite places to be. There are great beaches, food, and activities that everyone enjoys. It’s no wonder that the population almost doubles down here in the summertime. It’s a beautiful place that has a ton to offer. Next time you stop by make sure that you get to everything on this list and you won’t be disappointed.