Cannon Beach • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (November - February)

When the Aleutian Low deepens and the North Pacific storm track lines up on the Oregon coast, Cannon Beach is at its finest. The average swell height climbs to 7-8ft (2.2-2.5m) with periods in the 12-second range, and the west-facing beach stands squarely in the path of W, WSW and WNW groundswell. At the same time, the percentage of clean offshore wind from the east through southeast peaks near 35 percent, giving this normally stormy stretch real opportunities for well-groomed, powerful winter waves.

Fair Surf Season (March, April, September, October)

These shoulder months keep the ocean alive but with less consistency. September and October see the first long-period swells of autumn, while March and April still produce solid W/NW groundswell; averages hover around 5-7ft (1.5-2.1m) with 11-12 second energy. Wind is the wild card, as March S/SW fronts and April northwesterlies limit clean windows. Still, well-timed sessions offer some of the best balance of size, crowds and manageable conditions.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

The summer high-pressure regime puts the brakes on Cannon Beach. Average swell drops to 3-5ft (1.1-1.5m), periods ease to 10 seconds or less by July, and the dominant wind shifts to strong NNW/NW flow as the Pacific High strengthens offshore. Ideal offshore wind days are rare, with only 7-14 percent of the time offering clean conditions. Expect smaller, wind-affected peaks and a lot of chop unless you time a rare morning glass-off or a summer pulse.