Cannon Beach (Yakutat)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Cannon Beach (Yakutat) is a remote, exposed ocean beach break with sandy bottom and primarily mushy, inconsistent surf. The conditions are strongly shaped by North Pacific frontal weather systems, and surf quality can vary significantly with wind and swell. Both lefts and rights are possible over the sandy beach, but rides depend on sandbar formation and overall setup. For many surfers, the most reliable season is the fall—September through November is repeatedly framed as prime time, with additional mentions of spring and shoulder months. Some guidance also points to wind direction as a key factor for cleanliness: offshore or favorable wind angles can help the surf feel cleaner, while unfavorable setups can leave waves less usable. Safety planning is essential. Hazards include rocks, strong rip currents during larger swells, and large drift logs (especially after storms). The beach is also known for brown bears scavenging, so bear spray and cautious on-beach behavior are strongly advised. Rescue and lifeguard services are not available, making self-sufficiency mandatory for getting in and out safely. Water temperature is consistently cold—winter typically sits in the low single digits °C and summer only climbs into the low teens °C. Expect the need for a drysuit or thick hooded wetsuit (with boots and gloves) and plan for hypothermia risk during any extended session.
- Remote sandy beach break with lefts and rights
- Prime season often cited as September through November
- Cold-water surfing requiring thick thermal protection
- Practical on-site dangers include drift logs and strong rip currents on larger swells
- Expansive sandy beach breaks with the potential for lefts and rights over sand.
- Strong North Pacific swell energy and a long, remote wilderness setting.
- Best season commonly falls in early-to-mid fall for more favorable conditions.
- Remote access and limited services (equipment rental is limited).
- Cold water and high hypothermia risk; thick wetsuits are required year-round.
- Can be mushy and inconsistent; heavier, stormy conditions may close out the break.
- Wildlife and hazards present on the beach (notably brown bears and drift logs).
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Primarily influenced by North Pacific frontal systems.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- September, October
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach break over sandy bottom.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Also described as medium by another dataset; overall conditions can be inconsistent.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with plenty of space.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate
Through the year
Generally low crowds; minimal crowds in fall, more visitors in summer.
Late autumn and winter bring heavy rain and frequent storms; September through December marks the period of highest rainfall and frequent storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Remote beach break with generally mushy, inconsistent surf; widely considered best in calmer/favorable wind setups and during the prime fall season.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Cleanest with offshore winds in summer; can be clean when North or Northeast winds provide offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- During major winter storms it can become heavy and closed out; strong rip currents are possible during large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Can be inconsistent, but can improve with the right sandbar formation and swell.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Can feel mushy/inconsistent depending on conditions; best described as soft.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Mushy, inconsistent beach break; can be cleanest when winds turn favorable.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Decent rides possible on a well-formed sandbar.
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer decent rides, especially on a well-formed sandbar.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cannon Beach (Yakutat) in the full forecast view.
Cannon Beach (Yakutat) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 13 kts
- Direction
- NE51°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 298 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.7 m9s period
- Temperature
- 1–8 °C
Over the next 7 days, Cannon Beach (Yakutat) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 13 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.7–1.7 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
- Extreme cold water
- Hypothermia
- Brown bears on the beach
- Drift logs
- Strong rip currents
- Remote location
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No
- Emergency Info
- Yakutat Community Health Center is the nearest medical facility; dial 911 for emergency response.
Rules of the spot
Respect the fragile coastal environment and local wildlife.
- Remote conditions require self-rescue capability and careful planning.
- Carry bear spray even when walking to the surf.
- Check for large floating logs after heavy rain or storms.
- Bring own gear as rental is limited.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Yakutat
- Nearest Town
- Yakutat
- Nearest Airport
- Yakutat Airport (YAK) - 5 miles
- Parking
- Parking available near the beach access points.
- Public Transport
- Extremely limited; no public transit exists, though some lodges provide airport shuttles.
- Access
- Accessible only by boat or plane (also described as accessible by car from Yakutat via Cannon Beach Road).
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Lodges and cabins available in the town of Yakutat; accommodations consist of remote fishing lodges, small inns, and bed-and-breakfasts.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and grocery stores located in Yakutat town center.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited rental options may be available at the local surf shop in town.
- Gear Storage
- Generally limited to private arrangements at local lodging facilities.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repair services are available locally; specialized kite or wing repair is unavailable.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A wilderness-focused destination with expansive beaches, strong Pacific swell energy, and prominent nearby glacier landscapes.
One of the most active tidewater glaciers in Alaska, accessible by boat or air tours.
World-renowned destination for salmon and steelhead fly fishing.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Cannon Beach (Yakutat)?
The best overall months at Cannon Beach (Yakutat) are September, October, November. The best wind months are September, October.
Which wind directions work at Cannon Beach (Yakutat)?
Cannon Beach (Yakutat) works with S, SW winds.
What skill level is Cannon Beach (Yakutat) suitable for?
Cannon Beach (Yakutat) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.