Pacific City - surf spot statistics

Pacific City offers a mix of conditions throughout the year, with the best surf typically found in the winter months. From November through February, ground swell dominates, peaking in December and January with a mean swell size of 1.5m and 64-58% ground swell occurrence. These months also bring the largest waves, though wind conditions are less favorable, with bad winds (onshore/cross-shore) occurring 77-78% of the time. Despite the frequent wind issues, the swell consistency and size make these months prime for experienced surfers willing to wait for cleaner conditions. March and April see a decline in ground swell (46% and 37%) but still offer decent waves with 1.3m and 1.1m average sizes, though wind remains problematic. The summer months (May-September) are the least consistent, with weak wind swells (0.6-0.8m) and high percentages of no swell days (55-58%). September marks the beginning of the transition back to better swell, while October brings improving ground swell (35%) and slightly better winds (22% good). Overall, late fall to early winter (October-February) is the best window for reliable waves, with the trade-off being challenging wind conditions. Surfers should prioritize early mornings or days with light offshore winds during this period. Summer is suitable only for beginners or longboarders due to the small, inconsistent conditions.

July at Pacific City typically offers small to moderate surf with an average swell height of 0.6m and a decent period of 8.9s, suggesting fun, albeit mostly softer waves. The majority of swell comes from the W (29.15% of waves under 0.5m) and NW (25.49% under 0.5m), with the most rideable conditions (1-2.5m) primarily arriving from W, WNW, and NW directions. Larger waves (1.5m+) are rare but most likely from WNW (peaking at 10.9% in the 1-1.5m range). Wind conditions are less favorable, with only 16% of days offering ideal offshore or light cross-shore winds. Northerly winds (N, NNW) dominate, frequently blowing at 10-30kph, which can create choppy or cross-shore conditions. Surfers should target early mornings for cleaner waves and watch for the occasional WNW-NW swell pulses for the best sessions. Overall, expect small, playful surf with variable wind interference, requiring patience for optimal windows.