Barview Jetty
- Advanced riders, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Barview Jetty is an exposed beach/jetty surfing break on the north side of the jetty that tends to offer fairly consistent surf throughout the year, with the best conditions in winter—especially January. The lineup can work on both lefts and rights, and it’s described as a jetty-influenced break that stays active even when conditions are changeable. Wind-related cleanliness is variable: January is reported as frequently blown out (with a smaller share of clean, surfable conditions), so it’s important to check for offshore/light-offshore wind before committing. When conditions line up, the spot is known for good-quality waves, often with hollower sections nearer the rock influence. The main safety concern is the combination of jetty rocks and strong water movement near the structure. Sources highlight strong rip currents/tidal flow near the jetty and bay entrance, and they also warn that the rip near the jetty can intensify during outgoing tides. On large winter swells, surf can become heavy and potentially dangerous, with a tendency to close out. Overall, Barview Jetty is best for intermediate to advanced surfers who are comfortable with cold water, rocky hazards, and stronger current mechanics. Local guidance emphasizes being selective about swell size (surf when it’s manageable), watching tide timing closely, and using appropriate winter protection including a full wetsuit with hood, gloves, and boots.
- Exposed jetty/beach break with consistent year-round activity
- Best window emphasized as winter, particularly January
- Rocky hazards and strong currents near the jetty
- Typically uncrowded
- Exposed but consistently surfable jetty/beach break
- Works at any tide (with commonly preferred mid tide conditions)
- Generally uncrowded, including when surf is up
- Rocks and strong currents/rips near the jetty area
- Can get very heavy and close out on large winter swells
- Cold water requires winter-grade protection
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, NE
- Offshore directions
- E, ENE, NE
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind can be influenced by frontal systems in winter; east/northeast winds are noted as providing cleaner offshore conditions.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Monthly blown-out vs clean probabilities are reported for January.
- Best Months
- January
- Shadow Zones
- Wind shadow can occur immediately behind the jetty wall in northerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand is reported for beach composition.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Big — Reported as big; can become heavy and dangerous with large winter swells.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Water type is reported as chop.
- Launch
- Medium — Launch is on the north side of Barview Jetty; wide sandy beach adjacent to the north jetty is described.
Through the year
Generally uncrowded year-round; locals may appear on good swell days.
November through March is the primary storm and rainy season.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach/jetty break on the north side of Barview Jetty that offers fairly consistent surf year-round, with best conditions in winter (notably January). Works at any tide and can produce both lefts and rights.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Also reported to work best at mid tide; sources agree it can be surfed across tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed jetty/beach break with limited protection from the open coast.
- Wind Effect
- East and northeast winds provide clean offshore conditions; light/offshore winds are associated with cleaner surf.
- Bigger Swell
- On larger winter swells it can become heavy and dangerous, often closing out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality is reported as good; January can be frequently blown out, reducing clean surf frequency.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Reported as powerful and consistent; can become heavy and dangerous with large winter swells.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Often hollower sections closer to the rocks; wave shape reported as peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Often peels with medium speed; can be punchy near the rocks.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can offer short, punchy rides near the jetty or longer peeling sections on the right swell.
- Ride Length Details
- Short, punchy rides near the jetty/rocks; longer peeling sections occur on the right swell.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Barview Jetty in the full forecast view.
Barview Jetty wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–13 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- SSW192°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2513 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–1.5 m9s period
- Temperature
- 4–13 °C
Over the next 7 days, Barview Jetty is forecast for daytime winds of 1–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 0.5–1.5 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Strong rip currents and tidal flow near the jetty and bay entrance
- Heavy surf
- Submerged debris
- Jetty rocks
- Occasional driftwood
- Cold water
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence is reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level sources report no specific rescue availability; regional context notes Coast Guard search and rescue is available.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency, dial 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism is reported; crowd is generally low.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; be mindful of the strong tidal pull near the jetty rocks. Watch the tide carefully as the rip near the jetty intensifies during outgoing tides.
- Unlikely to be too crowded even when surf is up.
- Best surfed when the swell is manageable as it can get very heavy; watch the tide because rip current near the jetty can intensify during outgoing tides.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cape Meares
- Nearest Town
- Garibaldi
- Parking
- Parking available at Barview Jetty Campground; drive slowly through campground to access the jetty.
- Access
- Turn off Highway 101 shortly after Garibaldi toward Barview Jetty Campground. Drive slowly through the campground and take the first left towards the jetty. Launch is on the north side of the jetty.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation is available in Rockaway Beach and nearby areas, including the Barview Jetty campground and vacation rentals.
- Food & Drink
- Local restaurants and cafes are available in nearby towns.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Barview Jetty?
The best overall months at Barview Jetty are January, October, November, December. The best wind months are January.
Which wind directions work at Barview Jetty?
Barview Jetty works with E, NE winds. Offshore directions are E, ENE, NE.
What skill level is Barview Jetty suitable for?
Barview Jetty suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.