There are some excellent places to surf near Newport Oregon. There are several beaches to choose from and each one is different.
Agate Beach is well protected from the north by Yaquina Head and is just a few minutes drive from Newport.
Otter Rock is about 10 minutes north of Newport and is protected from the north by Devils Punchbowl State Park.
The South Jetty of South Beach State Park spot is a few minutes south of Newport and is protected from the north by a jetty on the south side of the mouth of the Yaquina river.
These three beaches are great places to surf near Newport Oregon. Keep reading to learn about surfing at these spots as well as hikes and other activities nearby.
Surfing at Agate Beach
Agate Beach is just a few minutes drive to the north of Newport, Oregon. It is overall a great surf spot for surfers of all skill levels.
The beach has a nice parking lot with lots of spots, so there is usually a spot to park even on crowded days. There are bathrooms right by the parking lot.
The walk to the beach from the parking lot is just a few hundred yards and is a combination of paved and dirt trail. I usually pack my wetsuit down to the beach, but some surfers prefer to put theirs on at the car.
The break is best just south of Yaquina Head, which protects the surfing spot well from winds and the swell from the north.
The waves at Agate Beach are typically best during a west to northwest swell. Also, Agate Beach generally has better rights than lefts, and is usually better at low tide.
Overall, Agate Beach is a great surf spot for all skill levels. It is easily accessible, the surfers are typically friendly, and the waves are fun!
Also, if you forget any of your surf gear or are looking for lessons, stop by Ossies Surf Shop, which is just down the street from agate beach parking lot.
Things to do at Agate Beach
In addition to surfing at Agate Beach, there is a lot of good hiking and sight-seeing. The beach itself is quite long with lots of room to walk and fun things to explore.
Yaquina Head, just north of the beach, is home to the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. The place is indeed outstanding with beautiful rock formations, great views of the Oregon coast both to the south and the north, and a spectacular light house.
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is a pay-to-enter park with a $5 day pass, but admittance is free with an America the Beautiful pass. The fee is worth it though because the park is extremely clean and well kept.
Make sure to check out Quarry Cove (an old quarry that is now a beautiful bay), Cobble Beach, and Yaquina Lighthouse. You can avoid the day fee by parking at the Agate Beach parking lot and walking into the park, but you’ll tally up over a mile of walking round trip if you choose this option.
Surfing at Otter Rock
Otter rock is about 10 minutes north of Newport and is great for advanced and beginner surfers alike.
There is limited parking due to a small parking lot. Please be respectful of property owners near the parking lot. There is an ongoing issue of lack of parking, so make sure to get there early during nice summer weekends. There are bathrooms by the parking lot.
A long and steep staircase takes visitors down to the beach, which is protected from the north by Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area. This head is a bit smaller than Yaquina Head, but still provides good protection from northern swells and wind.
In addition, the waves at Otter Rock are generally smaller than at Agate Beach because there are a number of scattered rock outcroppings that extend beyond the main head, effectively blocking some of the wave’s force.
Due in part to these rocks, Otter Rock is generally better at higher tide when compared to Agate Beach. However, good waves are possible at all tides.
Stop by Pura Vida Surf Shop, which is just next to Devil’s Punchbowl, if you need to grab anything surf related on your way down to the beach or take lessons.
Things to do at Otter Rock
Otter Rock has a long and uninterrupted beach to the south that extends about 5 miles to Yaquina Head. Therefore, there is plenty of space to spread out and do normal beach activities. Note though that the stairs down to the beach are long so it is hard to bring a lot of stuff.
Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area is fun to explore as well. It is home to Devil’s Punchbowl, which is a unique and impressive rock formation. However, the area is fairly small and easy to see everything within an hour.
On a stormy day, it’s fun to watch the waves crash against the rock cliffs. On a nice day, the views are spectacular!
Surfing at South Jetty
South Jetty is a slightly lesser known surf spot that is directly to the south of the mouth of Yaquina Bay. It can be accessed via several day use areas at South Beach State Park.
Like Agate Beach and Otter Rock, the South Jetty spot is protected from the north. However, what offers surfers protection from northern wind and swells is not a natural rock feature but rather a man made jetty.
Therefore, the jetty does not offer as much protection as the other two spots, and the surfers are more exposed to the elements. For this reason, South Jetty is best on calmer days, when the wind is lower. Smaller waves are less inhibited which is nice when the swell is weak but you still want to surf.
South Jetty tends to have better lefts than rights and is better at low tide. You can surf anywhere from right next to the jetty to a mile or so down the beach.
Things to do at South Beach State Park
South Beach State park is a large park just south of Newport. It has a wonderful campground and day use access. There are a number of paved and unpaved trails, miles of open beach, and large sand dunes.
Bring your cooler and camp chairs for a relaxing day at the beach. Just be sure to check the weather forecast because the beach is pretty exposed and does not offer any cover from the wind.
Definitely check out the campground if you are into camping. It is a large campground with lots of beach access trails, decent bathrooms, and grass fields.
Learn more about South Beach State Park here.
What is the best spot to surf near Newport Oregon?
Of all these places to surf near Newport Oregon, which one is the best? The short answer is, it depends on the conditions, your skill level, and what your goals are for surfing.
Otter Rock and Agate Beach are more protected than South Jetty and are therefore generally better when the winds are higher, especially if the winds are out of the north.
Otter Rock is generally smaller than Agate Beach and South Jetty because the rock islands block some of the swell, which can be nice on big days.
In general, Agate Beach and South Jetty are better at low tide, while Otter Rock is better at high tide. Agate Beach usually has better rights and South Jetty has better lefts.
If you are looking for a surf lesson, Agate Beach and Otter Rock is probably where the company’s instructor will take you.
All this being said, I would recommend Agate Beach or Otter Rock, just because they are a bit more protected than South Jetty. However, all of these surf spots near Newport Oregon can be excellent in the right conditions for both beginner and advanced surfers alike.
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.
