Frankport
- Shortboard, Bodyboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Mixed, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Frankport is a rugged, north-facing beach and reef break in southern Oregon, located within Sisters Rocks State Park. The spot offers both lefts and rights breaking over a sandy/bottom mix, with wave setups that can channel you toward a rocky near-shore area. Surf is described as fairly consistent, especially in winter, and can start working from around 2 feet (about 0.6 m) on the right swell direction. Wind-wise, the best periods cluster in the cooler months (especially October through February/early spring), and east winds are described as the most favorable—functioning offshore to groom the surf. Wind reliability is described as moderate, and the large sea stacks can create localized wind shadows and turbulence in the lee of the rocks, so on-the-water observation matters. Safety is a primary concern. Hazards cited for this spot include rip currents (including strong rips), rocks/submerged rocks near the formations, and sharks. Cold Pacific water means you’ll want substantial thermal protection year-round. Local guidance also emphasizes staying away from rocky sections and watching for the strongest current lines before committing to a lineup. Overall, Frankport is best suited to intermediate surfers seeking a remote winter experience with consistent waves when swell and wind align—particularly when the swell comes from the west/northwest directions and offshore east wind conditions occur. If you’re less experienced, conditions and currents can make the spot unforgiving, especially during bigger winter swell.
- Consistent winter lefts and rights in a north-facing cove
- Offshore east winds help groom conditions
- Rock-dominated features (Sisters Rocks sea stacks) create both scenery and navigation hazards
- Works on winter swell from west/northwest directions
- Consistent winter surf with lefts and rights breaking over sandy/bottom mix.
- Offshore east wind can groom the water.
- Remote, rugged setting within Sisters Rocks State Park.
- Cold water and rocky hazards (including submerged rocks and sea stacks).
- Strong rip currents are common.
- No on-site lifeguards and rescue described as limited.
- Conditions can become heavy/difficult during large winter groundswells.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Type
- Frontal — East to east-northeast winds described as frontal in the spot area.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February
- Shadow Zones
- Large sea stacks can create significant wind shadows and turbulence in the immediate lee of the rocks.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand primary in the cove; additional descriptions note mixed composition.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Also described as medium in other spot notes; works from around 2 feet (0.6 m) and can get decent on Northwest swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Launching from the sandy beach area within the cove at Sisters Rocks State Park.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch described as easy in one source and moderate in another; approach involves a short hike/walk from the parking area.
Through the year
Can be somewhat crowded relative to its remote location, especially on weekends with good swell.
November through March is the primary rainy season with frequent coastal storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A north-facing cove offering lefts and rights over a sandy/bottom mix, with a peak in the middle creating a right that can reel into a channel near the rocky shore.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW
- Swell Height
- 0.6 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Spot guidance also notes mid to high tide being favorable.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — North-facing cove; generally semi-sheltered, though the coastline is described as quite exposed.
- Wind Effect
- East winds provide optimal offshore grooming; best with offshore east wind (good shelter from south winds).
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and difficult to manage during large winter groundswells; can get pretty decent on Northwest swell.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality described as average; locally consistent when conditions align.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Overall described as peeling; another description notes mixed wave shape.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peel speed reported as medium; can be peeling overall.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length described as medium.
- Ride Length Details
- Right/left both break; peak in the middle sets up a right that reels toward a near-shore channel.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Frankport in the full forecast view.
Frankport wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–13 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- SSW192°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2513 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–2.4 m9s period
- Temperature
- 7–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Frankport is forecast for daytime winds of 3–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 1.0–2.4 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
- rips
- strong rip currents
- rocks
- submerged rocks
- sharks
- cold water
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards present.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated on-site rescue services; regionally served by local emergency services and the U.S. Coast Guard.
- Emergency Info
- Call 911 for emergency assistance; cell service may be spotty in the park. Regional emergency services/rescue are described as limited.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism reported.
Rules of the spot
Watch for rips and avoid rocky shore areas. Use caution around rocks/submerged hazards and stay aware of strong currents.
- Avoid rocky shore areas and watch for rips.
- Be cautious of submerged rocks near the Sisters Rocks formations.
- Emergency services are reachable via 911, though cell service may be spotty in the park.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Coos Bay
- Nearest Town
- Port Orford
- Parking
- Dirt road pull-off near an excavated headland described; also described as having a dedicated gravel parking area at the Sisters Rocks State Park trailhead.
- Access
- About 6 miles (8.5 km) south of Humbug Mountain on Highway 101; pull off at a large, partially excavated headland onto a dirt road leading to the north-facing cove. Access described via Sisters Rocks State Park with a short hike from the parking area to the beach.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping and vacation rentals are available in nearby Port Orford.
- Food & Drink
- Nearest dining options are located several miles north in Port Orford.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Dramatic sea-stack scenery and secluded beaches around Sisters Rocks State Park, with nearby coastal and river-based activities in the region.
Scenic state park featuring three large sea stacks and secluded beaches.
The westernmost lighthouse in Oregon, offering tours and historical exhibits.
Jet boat tours on the Rogue River departing from Gold Beach.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Frankport?
The best overall months at Frankport are January, February, March, April, October, November, December. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February.
Which wind directions work at Frankport?
Frankport works with E winds. Offshore directions are E.
What skill level is Frankport suitable for?
Frankport suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.