Surfing in Oregon is adventurous, exciting, and awesome! There are plenty of great beaches for surfing in Oregon suitable for surfers of all skill levels.
Whether you’re a long-time local, visiting Oregon for the first time, or somewhere in between, this article covers everything you need to know about surfing in Oregon.
I have been surfing in Oregon for over 8 years, and I am excited to help others explore surfing in Oregon. Let’s get stoked!
Overview of surfing in Oregon
The Oregon Coast has 360 miles of rugged outcroppings, sandy beaches, and sleepy beach towns. There are at least 40 popular beaches for surfing in Oregon along the entire length of the Oregon Coast.
Although Oregon is often overshadowed by California as a surfing destination, there are plenty of great waves to be had without the developed coastline. In fact, many Oregon surf spots are completely undeveloped. Crowds increase during summer weekends but arriving early will guarantee you plenty of space in both the parking lot and in the water.
Surf spots in Oregon are primarily beach breaks protected by capes or heads. Weather and surf conditions are variable but there are plenty of great days to be found. Just don’t forget your wetsuit! A 4/3 with booties, gloves, and a hood are recommended for the chilly water temperature.
Best beaches for surfing in Oregon
Oregon has some spectacular beaches for surfing. These are the best ones in my humble opinion!
Oswald West State Park (Short Sands/Smugglers Cove)
Oswald West State Park, also called Short Sands and Smugglers Cove, is one of the most picturesque spots for surfing in Oregon. The surf spot is nestled in between two huge rock outcroppings and bordered by old growth forest. Not a house in sight!
Oswald West features a classic Oregon beach break. The beach itself is super wide (about a half mile) and the entire length is surfable. As a result, it doesn’t feel too crowded in the water or on the beach even on busy days.
Certain sections of the beach may be superior based on the wind and swell direction. Both rights and lefts are common, and while waves sometimes tend to close out, there are usually plenty that don’t.
Although there is plenty of parking, be sure to get there before 9 am on summer weekends. Oswald West is a popular spot for Portlanders escaping the heat. The walk to the beach is long, so be sure to pack light and don’t forget your lunch in the car!
| Location | Northern Oregon Coast, 10 minutes south of Cannon Beach |
| Skill level: | Beginner – Advanced |
| Crowds: | Heavy on summer weekends; light to medium otherwise |
| Walking distance to beach: | 0.5 miles, gravel path |
| Facilities: | Bathrooms at parking lot and beach, free parking |
| Rentals/Lessons nearby: | Cannon Beach Surf Lessons and Rentals |
| Hiking nearby: | Lots of great hiking in the state park |
Ecola State Park (Indian Beach)
Ecola State Park, also called Indian Beach, is another beautiful surf spot on the Northern Oregon Coast. Similar to Oswald West, it is completely undeveloped. The surf spot is protected from the north by a head and from the south by a rocky coastline. Most people surf at the north end of the beach.
Indian Beach, like many Oregon surf spots, is a beach break. Rights and lefts abound, and the waves can be good during all tides. A convenient rip current usually forms along the head, which can be helpful during the paddle out.
On any decent day, you’ll see a number of surfers of all skill levels. Lessons are common due to the close proximity to Cannon Beach, a popular day trip destination for Portlanders.
The parking lot rarely fills up, even on busy days. The walk to the beach is short, which makes it great for kids and carrying lots of beach stuff. Pack the cooler! Also, check that the park is open before you go. The road is sometimes washed out.
| Location | Northern Oregon Coast, just north of Cannon Beach |
| Skill level: | Beginner – Advanced |
| Crowds: | Medium – heavy on summer weekends; light otherwise |
| Walking distance to beach: | 100 yards, wood stairs/rocks |
| Facilities: | Bathrooms at parking lot, $5 parking day pass |
| Rentals/Lessons nearby: | Cannon Beach Surf Lessons and Rentals |
| Hiking nearby: | Lots of great hiking in the state park, viewpoints abound |
Agate Beach
Agate Beach is a lovely surf spot just north of Newport, along the central portion of the Oregon Coast. Agate beach is protected from the north by a cape.
Agate Beach is a beach break that is generally better at lower tides. There are typically more rights than left. Agate Beach is suitable for all skill levels, depending on the conditions.
Getting down to the beach is easy and parking is convenient. The lot rarely fills up and Ossie’s Surf Shop is right across the street if you forget something.
| Location | Central Oregon Coast, just north of Newport |
| Skill level: | Beginner – Advanced |
| Crowds: | Medium on summer weekends; light otherwise |
| Walking distance to beach: | 200 yards |
| Facilities: | Bathrooms at parking lot |
| Rentals/Lessons nearby: | Lessons & Rentals – Ossies Surf Shop |
| Hiking nearby: | Just north at Yaquina Head |
Otter Rock (Devil’s Punchbowl)
Otter Rock is just north of Agate Beach about 10 minutes. Getting down to the beach can be tough because the only way down is a long, steep staircase. As a result, it may not be the best option for kids, dogs, or older folks. Parking is also limited and fills up fast on summer weekends.
The break is very similar to Agate Beach, but is slightly more protected from west and northwest swells by some offshore rocks. This added protection makes the waves generally a bit smaller than Agate Beach, especially at lower tides.
| Location | Central Oregon Coast, 10 minutes north of Newport |
| Skill level: | Beginner – Advanced |
| Crowds: | Medium on summer weekends; light otherwise |
| Walking distance to beach: | 100 yards, long and steep staircase |
| Facilities: | Bathrooms at parking lot |
| Rentals/Lessons nearby: | Pura Vida Surf Shop |
| Hiking nearby: | Devil’s Punchbowl viewpoint, South at Yaquina Head |
Pacific City
Pacific City is a pleasant small beach town with a fun surf spot. The surf spot is beach break but can produce steeper waves with less ride time, especially at higher tides. The shorter break does make it a great spot to watch surfers.
Therefore, this spot is probably better for intermediate to advanced surfers. However, there can be conditions suitable for beginners too, just less often than some of the other surf spots.
In the past, you could drive on the beach, but not only dory boats can launch from the beach because too many people got stuck. Don’t worry though, the parking lot is right next to the beach. Stop by the Pelican Pub for a bite to eat and a beer.
| Location | Northern Oregon Coast |
| Skill level: | Beginner – Advanced |
| Crowds: | Heavy on summer weekends; light – medium otherwise |
| Walking distance to beach: | None; great for kids, dogs, and older folks |
| Facilities: | Bathrooms at parking lot, Pelican Pub |
| Rentals/Lessons nearby: | Moment Surf Company |
| Hiking nearby: | Cape Kiwanda, climb the sand dune |
Surf conditions in Oregon
Most of the surf spots in Oregon are beach breaks, with gradually sloping ocean floors. During weak swells, mushy and mellow waves are common in Oregon. These slow and forgiving waves are great for beginners learning how to surf.
In contrast, more powerful swells can produce steep and hollow waves, although less frequently than reef and point breaks. Intermediate and advanced surfers will enjoy the fast and steep lines that these waves can produce.
Changing tides can substantially influence conditions and cause peak locations to change quickly. In many cases, one end of the tide may produce a defined peak and peeling waves while another tends towards closeouts. That said, most Oregon surf spots are still surfable at all tides.
Keep an eye out for strong currents. Sometimes, there are strong currents that pull parallel to the beach. Combined with some wind, it can be difficult to stay in the same place. Rip currents can also form suddenly based on the tide, so stay alert!
Best time of year for surfing in Oregon
Most surfers agree that Fall is the best time of year for surfing in Oregon. The wind is generally lower and conditions are clean with a mixture of strong and weak swells. Toward the end of fall, the wind and well begins to get more powerful as winter arrives. The fall weather is fair with many sunny days.
Spring and Summer have their fair share of nice days for surfing. The swell calms down in the summer which is great for longboarding and learning how to surf. However, summer can be foggy due to the hot air further inland, but don’t let that scare you away!
Winter storms can produce large waves. However, higher winds make clean days more difficult to come by. Winter is a season reserved for advanced surfers looking for larger waves. Beginners should choose another season.
To dive deeper into how the swell typically changes over the course of the year, check out these data from Surf-Forecast.com.
Best surfboards for surfing in Oregon
Oregon surf conditions can be variable. One day it can be mushy and slow. As well can pick up the next day and the same surf spot can turn into fast powerful sets. The diversity of Oregon waves may call for different styles of surfboards.
Many surfers in Oregon own a longboard and a shortboard, and sometimes a mid-length board too. On smaller days, longboards are the best choice to make the most of the mushy and mellow swells. On larger days, mid-lengths and short boards are the popular choice.
The name of the game for a surfboard in Oregon is versatility. Mid-lengths and shorter longboards make an excellent one-board quiver. If you are a beginner, learn more about how to choose a beginner surfboard.
Renting surf gear in Oregon
Most of the popular surf spots have a surf shop within a 10 minutes drive if not right next to the parking lot. My friends and family have rented surf gear several times from different surf shops in Oregon. The gear has always been decent quality and the employees are helpful.
Renting gear is a great option for beginner surfers. However, the price does add up over time. The table below shows the typical cost of surf gear rental at surf shops in Oregon.
| Item | Rental Cost (24 hours) |
| Surfboard | $25 |
| Wetsuit | $25 |
| Booties | $10 |
| Gloves | $10 |
| Package | $50 |
Surf lessons in Oregon
Most surf shops in Oregon offer both gear rentals and lessons. A group lesson typically costs around $100 per person for two hours, but this includes the gear rental as well. A private lesson will cost around $300 for two people for two hours.
I have never taken a surf lesson in Oregon, but I have seen many other people taking them. Surf lessons are popular during summer on the Oregon Coast.
Dangers of surfing in Oregon
Surfing in Oregon is adventurous. All that adventure comes with some risks. Make sure you know how to stay safe while surfing.
Water temperature
With water temperatures in the high 40s and 50s (fahrenheit), a wetsuit is essential and booties, gloves, and a hood are highly recommended. I use a 4/3 wetsuit and that is sufficient for most days, although sometimes I wish I had a 5/4 on cold days.
Rip currents
Like many surf spots around the world, rip currents pose a risk to surfers, especially beginners who are less aware of currents in the water. Make sure you know how to identify a rip current.
Rocks
While most surf spots in Oregon are beach breaks, there can be some rocks hidden in the sand. I have never hit a rock myself, but I’m sure there are some out there.
Places to stay while surfing in Oregon
Hotels and camping are the two main options. There are tons of awesome hotels on the Oregon Coast. There are plenty of nice public campgrounds as well as free places to camp. Private campgrounds, Airbnb, and HipCamp are also great options. Many public campgrounds have RV hookup sites, tent sites, and even yurts!
Campgrounds do fill up in the summer so it can be hard to get a spot. Try to reserve early if you can, or look for other options.
Oregon is great for van life and many people take full advantage. At any popular surf spot, chances are you’ll see a number of camper vans and their surfing owners.
What are local surfers like in Oregon?
The vast majority of surfers in Oregon are super friendly and easy going. There are always good vibes in the water in my experience. Of course, if you break surfing etiquette you may get a few bad looks.
Surfing culture in Oregon is alive and well. Any popular surf spot will have at least a few surfers hanging around in their vans or making a fire on the beach after a surf day.
Surfing in Oregon for kids
Surfing in Oregon is great for kids. On calm days the beach break is a great spot for kids to surf. Look for waves 3 feet and under with low wind. At most beaches, parents can stand on the beach and watch their kids surf. Although parents should surf too!
Keep an eye out for strong rip currents and lateral currents. Kids have a harder time managing a surfboard in the whitewater, so smaller days are the best.
Taking lessons is a great activity for the whole family and a good way to get your kids outside in nature. If you are not the most avid surfer parent, surf instructors can help you and your kids stay safe while having fun in the water.
Plan a surf trip in Oregon
Oregon is an amazing place for outdoor adventures including surfing. Whether you are a hardcore surfer or a true beginner, a hotel or a camping type of person, there is an awesome Oregon surf trip for you.
Start by choosing where you want to surf. I can personally recommend any of the surf spots listed above. String together multiple spots for a multiple day trip or just make it a single day. If you are road-tripping, drive north or south and hit multiple spots. Next, choose where to stay.
Late summer and fall are the best time of year for a surf trip in Oregon. The weather and waves have the best chance of being optimal during this time. Be sure to check the forecast before you go. Summer is often foggy and rain is not uncommon.
How to pack for surfing in Oregon
Packing correctly is the key to a successful day surfing in Oregon. Make sure to bring warm clothes, as the weather can be variable, and temperatures rarely get above 70F. Wind is common.
Bring along everything you would normally bring to the beach! However, be aware that the walk to the beach is sometimes long such as at Oswald West State Park. Depending on which surf spot you go to, you may want to pack differently.
Ways to make the most of surfing in Oregon
Beach fires are a common sight on the Oregon Coast. Few things are better than a great day surfing, a beach fire, and a sunset. Don’t forget your craft beer to fit in with the Portland daytrippers.
If you don’t feel like making dinner after your surf, visit one of the many great restaurants or bars on the small towns of the Oregon Coast. Numerous cafes are also great for that coffee craving in the mornings.
Heads up! Surfing is awesome but it can be dangerous! Learn more about how to stay safe and avoid dangers while surfing. If you are a beginner surfer, check out my other articles about surfing and my ultimate guide to learning how to surf.
