Lincoln City (Lincoln City)
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
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
- Works year-round with fairly consistent surf
- Shore-based access with facilities and dining nearby
- Popular surfing destination with winter clean-wave potential
- Exposed ocean conditions with strong currents and cold water
- Can be crowded at peak times
- Hazards include sharks and rip currents
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
Summer months and holiday weekends are the busiest for crowds on the beach and in the water.
November through March is the peak rainy and storm season with high winds and large swells.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Open beaches are used for kitesurfing during summer NW sea breezes; conditions are often choppy with significant shorebreak.
- Kite Sizes
- 8–12 m²
Possible during summer NW winds, but the coast is more commonly used for surfing; open ocean conditions require experience with waves and cold water.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.5 m²
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
Exposed beach/reef surfing with a sand-and-rock bottom; works year-round but is best when small and clean.
- 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.
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.
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
- sharks
- rip currents
- cold water
- floating logs
- heavy shorebreak
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.
- 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
What's on the beach
- 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.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Lincoln City is a premier Oregon Coast destination combining natural beauty with diverse recreation options for different ages.
Oceanfront casino offering gaming, live entertainment, and dining.
Glass-blowing demonstrations and hands-on glass art creation.
Scenic coastal hiking trail with panoramic Pacific coastline views.
Beachfront brewery and restaurant overlooking Siletz Bay.
Freshwater lake with camping, fishing, and boating just inland from the ocean.
From riders who've been here
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.