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.

In September, Pacific City offers relatively small but rideable conditions with an average swell height of 0.8m and a decent period of 9.9s, suggesting consistent, well-formed waves. The primary swell direction is predominantly W and WNW, contributing to 1-1.5m waves about 10-13% of the time, with larger sets (1.5-2.5m) appearing less frequently (around 9-10%). Offshore or light winds, ideal for surfing, occur only 20% of the time, while moderate onshore winds (10-20kph) from the N, NW, and SSW are more common, potentially creating choppy conditions. Wind speeds exceeding 20kph are frequent (especially from the N and NNW), which can further degrade wave quality. Overall, September delivers small to mid-sized waves with occasional clean conditions, but wind interference limits perfection—best suited for surfers comfortable with variable wind-affected surf or those who time sessions around lighter wind windows. Optimal days will feature W/WNW swells and light offshore breezes.