Map
Lincoln City
Today's Surf Conditions at Lincoln City
Spot Conditions Map
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Today's Surf & Wind Forecast (Hourly)
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Spot Overview & Description
Canyons in Lincoln City is a grunty, off-the-beaten-path stretch of Oregon coast that rewards those who make the short pilgrimage. Park at the small county beach park just over the hill from the highway 101 factory outlets, then hoof it roughly 100 yards down the beach to the main break, sitting left of the lot. The wave here is a moody mix of uneven reef and shifting sand, churning out predominantly punchy lefts with the occasional rights peppered in. It's a raw, no-frills setup that demands respect—and delivers when conditions align.
Best Surf Season & Climatology
Best Surf Season (October - March)
The North Pacific flexes its muscles during these months, as the Aleutian Low cranks up and sends a relentless train of strong extratropical storms towards the Oregon coast. Average swell heights hover between 2.4m and 2.8m, with long-period groundswells in the 12-13 second range dominating the mix. The predominant swell directions from the W and WNW align perfectly with Lincoln City's west-facing beaches, delivering powerful, consistent lines. Offshore winds from the SW and WSW (categorized as ideal here) blow a clean 33-36% of the time, often in the wake of frontal passages. This is prime time for heavy, hollow surf, when the combination of size, period, and wind direction hits its peak. Expect pumping conditions with frequent waves in the 1.5-2.5m range and occasional XXL days.
Fair Surf Season (April & September)
These shoulder months are transitional. In April, the storm track begins to weaken, but average swell heights remain a solid 2.1m with periods around 11.6s. Wind patterns become more fickle, with ideal offshore conditions dropping to only 20% of the time as the Aleutian Low starts to retreat and spring breezes from the north kick in. September marks the return of autumn energy: swell heights climb back to 1.5m and periods lengthen to 10.8s. The wind window improves to 27% ideal, but the early-season tropical storms and early extratropical lows can mix in occasional smaller, grovelly days. Both months offer fun, rippable waves when the conditions align, but consistency takes a hit.
Low Surf Season (May - August)
The summer doldrums settle in as the North Pacific high-pressure system dominates, shifting the storm track far to the north. Swell heights drop to a meager 1.3-1.6m, with periods averaging 9.7-10.8s – often lacking punch. The swell direction shifts to more WNW and NW, which still hit the beach but with less power. The real killer is the wind: ideal offshore conditions plummet to 7-14% of the time. The prevailing NNW and N winds blow onshore 40-50% of the time, chopping up the surf and making most days a battle against the breeze. Summer mornings can offer glassy windows, but generally, it's a low-energy season best suited for groveling or taking a break.
Detailed Surf Information for Lincoln City
Detailed Surf Forecast
Access our detailed 8-day swell and wind forecast charts for Lincoln City with tidal graphs, period ranges, and daily forecast text summaries.
Swell & Wind Statistics
Explore historical swell consistency, wave heights, and offshore wind windows month-by-month, compiled from over 40 years of data.
Historical Surf Report
Browse the historical database archives to view past wave reports and understand spot climatology during specific years and months.
