Lincoln City (Lincoln City)

KitesurfingWindsurfingWingfoilingSurfing
Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Chop, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Lincoln City is an exposed beach-and-reef surfing destination on the Oregon coast with generally consistent surf and the ability to work year-round. Guidance emphasizes that it’s most reliably rideable when waves are small and clean, and that the coastline is ocean-exposed, so conditions can feel powerful even when the swell is not extreme. For wind and weather, winter months are highlighted for cleaner conditions and a stronger likelihood of usable surf. Seasonal summaries also note that summer brings a more reinforced afternoon sea-breeze pattern. Regardless of season, cold-water preparation is strongly emphasized by local notes, and thick wetsuit coverage with additional thermal protection (hood/boots/gloves) is commonly recommended. Safety around this spot is a priority: reported hazards include sharks, heavy shorebreak, rip currents, cold water, and floating driftwood after rain. Currents and longshore drift are specifically mentioned in access/conditions context, and rescue availability is described as limited with emergency response handled via local services. Amenities and access are part of the appeal—there are multiple public beach access points from within Lincoln City (including areas with noted ample parking), plus nearby dining and basic visitor facilities. While the water can stay consistently surfable, crowding can increase during peak conditions and holiday periods, so it’s best to plan for busier lineups during those windows.

  • Exposed beach-and-reef surf with fairly consistent year-round waves
  • Higher likelihood of clean, rideable conditions in winter (especially January)
  • Cold water year-round with strong wetsuit requirements
  • Currents and driftwood hazards require vigilance
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboard
What's great
  • Works year-round with fairly consistent surf
  • Shore-based access with facilities and dining nearby
  • Popular surfing destination with winter clean-wave potential
Heads up
  • Exposed ocean conditions with strong currents and cold water
  • Can be crowded at peak times
  • Hazards include sharks and rip currents
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
NW, E, SE
Offshore directions
NW, E, SE
Wind Range
10–25 kts
Wind Type
Sea breeze — Summer NW sea-breeze (thermal-assisted) pattern is noted for Lincoln City conditions.
Reliability
moderate
Gust Factor
Light gusts — Light gusting is reported.
Best Months
January, February, September, October, November, December
Recommended Kite Sizes
8–12 m²

Water & beach

Water Type
Chop, Ocean
Beach
Sand — Sand beach is described; rock/sand mix for surfing outcomes.
Beach Size
Big
Waves
Medium
Chop Level
Heavy chop — Kitesurfing guidance notes choppy open-ocean conditions; overall water type is described as chop.
Launch
Big — Launch/entry described as a wide sandy beach at D River and Roads End.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
9–16 °C
Water Temperature
4–22 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Nov–Mar: 5/4mm + Boots, Gloves, HoodJun–Oct: 4/3mm
Crowds by Season

Summer months and holiday weekends are the busiest for crowds on the beach and in the water.

Storm/Rain Season

November through March is the peak rainy and storm season with high winds and large swells.

By sport

What to expect for each.

KitesurfingSkill Level

Open beaches are used for kitesurfing during summer NW sea breezes; conditions are often choppy with significant shorebreak.

WaveFreeride
Kite Sizes
8–12 m²
WindsurfingSkill Level

Possible during summer NW winds, but the coast is more commonly used for surfing; open ocean conditions require experience with waves and cold water.

WaveFreeride
Sail Sizes
4.5–5.5 m²
WingfoilingSkill Level

Possible for advanced riders comfortable with shorebreak and swell; nearby flatter options exist but are depth-dependent.

Foil Friendly
Limited — Foil friendliness is described as limited; minimum depth constraints apply.
Min Depth
2 meters
Wing Sizes
4–6 m²
SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed beach/reef surfing with a sand-and-rock bottom; works year-round but is best when small and clean.

Beach break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
W, NW, SW
Swell Height
1–4 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Mid tide is indicated as optimal.
Shelter
Exposed — Open ocean exposure is emphasized.
Wind Effect
East and Southeast winds provide cleaner offshore conditions.
Bigger Swell
Beach breaks tend to close out over about 3 meters.
Wave Quality
Average — Quality is described as only really ridable when small and clean.
Wave Power
Moderate
Wave Shape
Mixed
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Medium — Beach breaks offer medium rides; only really ridable when small and clean is noted in some guidance.
Typical Ride Length
50–150 m
Ride Length Details
Reported typical ride length range is included; beach breaks generally run medium rides.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Lincoln City (Lincoln City) in the full forecast view.

Lincoln City (Lincoln City) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–11 ktsGusts 24 kts
Direction
SSW198°
Strongest day
Sun, Oct 2511 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
1.1–2.7 m9s period
Temperature
6–13 °C

Over the next 7 days, Lincoln City (Lincoln City) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 1.1–2.7 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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

  • sharks
  • rip currents
  • cold water
  • floating logs
  • heavy shorebreak
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetImpact vestHoodWetsuitGlovesBoots

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards are indicated.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — Rescue availability is described as limited.
Emergency Info
Call 911. North Lincoln Hospital is located within the city; Coast Guard stations are present in nearby Depoe Bay.
Localism / Vibe
Mild — Local surfing etiquette is emphasized during busier peaks.

Rules of the spot

Be aware of designated swimming areas during summer months; respect local surfing etiquette at the more crowded peaks.

Local Tips
  • Check the sandbar conditions at D River as they shift frequently with winter storms.
  • Always wear a thick wetsuit even in summer.
  • Be cautious of driftwood in the water after heavy rains.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Lincoln City, Oregon
Nearest Town
Lincoln City
Nearest Airport
Portland International Airport (PDX)
Parking
Ample public parking is specifically noted for D River State Recreation Site and Roads End State Recreation Site.
Public Transport
Limited public transit; Lincoln County Transit provides buses connecting Lincoln City with Newport and other coastal towns, but beach access usually requires a car.
Access
Shore access from Lincoln City beaches; multiple state recreation sites and beach access points along Highway 101 are described.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Showers
Toilets
Parking
Restaurant
Bar
Picnic area
Accommodation
Nearby town — Extensive lodging options including hotels, vacation rentals, and camping are available in/near Lincoln City.
Food & Drink
Numerous restaurants and breweries along Highway 101.
Equipment Rental:
Equipment rental is available at local surf shops for surfing and paddleboarding; specialized windsurfing/kitesurfing rentals are described as scarce locally.
Gear Storage
On-site gear storage is generally not available at public beach access points; most riders store gear in personal vehicles or through rentals.
Gear Repair
Basic surfboard repair and wetsuit/board repair services are available via local surf shops.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Lincoln City is a premier Oregon Coast destination combining natural beauty with diverse recreation options for different ages.

Best time to visit: Summer months (June–September), with especially reliable tourism conditions in July and August.
Chinook Winds Casino Resort2 km

Oceanfront casino offering gaming, live entertainment, and dining.

Lincoln City Glass Center3 km

Glass-blowing demonstrations and hands-on glass art creation.

God's Thumb Hike5 km

Scenic coastal hiking trail with panoramic Pacific coastline views.

Pelican Brewing - Siletz Bay1 km

Beachfront brewery and restaurant overlooking Siletz Bay.

Devils Lake State Recreation Area4 km

Freshwater lake with camping, fishing, and boating just inland from the ocean.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Lincoln City (Lincoln City)?

The best overall months at Lincoln City (Lincoln City) are January, February, September, October, November, December.

Which wind directions work at Lincoln City (Lincoln City)?

Lincoln City (Lincoln City) works with NW, E, SE winds. Offshore directions are NW, E, SE.

What equipment sizes are recommended at Lincoln City (Lincoln City)?

Recommended equipment sizes at Lincoln City (Lincoln City): Kitesurfing: 8–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–25 kts.

What skill level is Lincoln City (Lincoln City) suitable for?

Lincoln City (Lincoln City) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.