Lincoln City - surf spot statistics

Lincoln City, Oregon, offers varied surf conditions throughout the year, with the best months for surfers typically falling within the late autumn, winter, and early spring periods. From November through February, the swell quality is most consistent, with ground swell percentages peaking between 41-57%, delivering the most reliable waves. December and January stand out as prime months, with mean swell sizes around 1.6m and relatively high ground swell influence (52-57%). Wind conditions, however, remain challenging, with bad onshore winds occurring 81-82% of the time during these months, requiring patience for favorable offshore or cross-shore winds. March sees a slight drop in ground swell (42%) but maintains decent size (1.4m), while October offers a transitional improvement with 32% ground swell and slightly better wind stats (18% good conditions). Spring and summer (May-August) are the least favorable, with weak swells (0.7-0.9m), dominant wind swell, and consistently poor wind conditions (90%+ bad winds). September marks the beginning of the return to better surf, bridging the gap to the winter season. For committed surfers, the winter months provide the most powerful and consistent waves despite the frequent poor winds, while those seeking smaller, more forgiving conditions might find late autumn or early spring more suitable.

June at Lincoln City delivers small to moderate surf with an average swell height of 0.8m and a decent period of 10.4s, offering rideable but often mushy waves. The dominant swell directions are WNW (26.6% of the time) and SW (14.1%), with most waves falling in the 0-1.5m range, though occasional larger sets (1.5-2.5m) appear from WNW and W, providing punchier sections. Wind conditions are inconsistent, with only 10% of days offering ideal offshore winds (typically light NNE to ENE breezes). Stronger onshore winds from N and NNW (frequently 20-30kph) create choppy conditions, while SW/WSW winds (20-30kph range 1-2% of the time) can further degrade swell quality. Expect a mix of small, clean mornings and windy afternoons—best suited for longboarders or high-volume shortboards on low-tide days when the swell pushes 1.5m+. Experienced surfers should target WNW swells with light E wind windows for rare peaky setups.