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.

In September, Lincoln City offers surfers a mix of conditions with an average swell height of 0.9m and a solid period of 10.7s, suggesting well-formed, rideable waves. The primary swell directions are WNW (35.57% of waves under 0.5m, but also significant contributions in the 1-2.5m range) and W, delivering a decent spread of wave heights. Around 15% of the time, wind conditions are ideal—typically light offshore or cross-offshore from the E to NE, though prevailing winds tend to be N to NW, which can be onshore and choppy at higher speeds (10-30kph). Smaller, cleaner days will be most frequent early in the morning or during periods of lighter winds. For advanced surfers, the best opportunities come when WNW swells combine with favorable winds, producing chest-high to overhead waves with good shape. Expect variability, but September can deliver quality sessions with patience and timing.