Manzanita
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Manzanita is an exposed, sandy beach launch on the Oregon coast, commonly used by kite and wind riders seeking consistent NW winds across the warmer months. Wind is influenced by thermal/sea-breeze patterns, building in the afternoon in summer and often accelerating with the local coastal topography near Neahkahnie Mountain. For kiteboarding, the spot is described as a go-to option from the Portland area with reliable thermal wind from spring through fall and conditions ranging from flat stretches to small waves, supporting freeride and wave-focused riding. Typical wind is reported around 15–25 knots, with light gustiness, and many riders target a 7–12 m² kite range. The north end is typically the cleaner launch area. For surfing, Manzanita is an exposed beach-break that can work year-round with fairly consistent surf. It breaks both left and right, and northwesterly swell is highlighted as a strong match. Conditions are generally small to medium, with wave shape described as peeling; for larger swell, surf may transition to closeouts when swells get sufficiently big. Safety matters at this beach: reports consistently flag rip currents and rocks, along with driftwood on the sand and the general risk of sneaker-waves. Lifeguards are not present, and rescue coverage is described as limited, so riders should plan for self-rescue readiness in cold water and keep an eye on tide levels—especially because the usable beach area can narrow at high tide.
- Reliable spring-through-fall NW thermal winds
- Expansive sandy beach space for rigging and launching
- Year-round exposed beach-break surfing
- Reliable NW winds in spring through fall for wind sports
- Expansive sandy beach with room to rig
- Reasonably consistent year-round surfing
- Cold water and exposure
- Rip currents present
- Turbulence/variable wind near Neahkahnie Mountain
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Thermal reinforcement/sea-breeze influence; NW winds are common in spring through fall.
- Reliability
- Reliable during summer and spring transition.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Surf spot described as small to medium; also referenced as small-wave and medium-wave conditions.
- Launch
- Medium — Short trail from a campsite near the beach; launch anywhere along the north-end section of the beach.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Accessible with a short trail; ample beach space to rig.
Through the year
Busiest in July and August; quiet/uncrowded during winter months.
November through March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Reliable spring-through-fall thermal NW wind with flat to small-wave conditions suitable for freeride and wave riding.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Suitable for wave sailing and freeriding when summer NW winds are strong.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5.7 m²
Cold water and shore break require good handling; best at the north end where there is more space.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach break with reasonably consistent surf that can work any time of the year. Waves can break both left and right.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Overall exposed beach break; the north end provides some protection from NW winds.
- Wind Effect
- Northwest winds are common and can be messy; east or southeast winds are offshore.
- Bigger Swell
- Tends to close out when swells exceed 3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Short to medium ride lengths, often breaking over shifting sandbars.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves are generally short to medium, often breaking over shifting sandbars.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Manzanita in the full forecast view.
Manzanita wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–13 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- S191°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2513 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–2.9 m9s period
- Temperature
- 4–13 °C
Over the next 7 days, Manzanita is forecast for daytime winds of 1–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 1.1–2.9 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
- rip currents
- rocks
- driftwood
- sneaker-waves
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated on-water rescue for wind sports; emergency services are via local fire departments/US Coast Guard.
- Emergency Info
- Dial 911 for all emergencies. Nearest hospital is in Tillamook (about 25 minutes south).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Standard right-of-way rules for surfers and kiters apply.
- Leash-required-for-surfers
- The north end of the beach is usually the best launch for kiters as it offers cleaner wind.
- Always check the tide—at high tide the beach can narrow significantly.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Manzanita
- Nearest Town
- Manzanita
- Nearest Airport
- Portland International Airport (PDX)
- Parking
- Parking available at the north end of Manzanita (street parking elsewhere in town and a public lot at the end of Laneda Avenue).
- Public Transport
- Very limited; a private vehicle is essential for sports gear.
- Access
- Accessible via Highway 101. Drive from Portland about 1.5 hours west to the coast, then reach Manzanita and access the beach from the north end of the city.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Mix of vacation rentals, hotels, and state park campgrounds nearby (e.g., around Nehalem Bay).
- Food & Drink
- Numerous cafes and restaurants within walking distance on Laneda Avenue.
- Equipment Rental:
- Local surf shops offer surfboard and wetsuit rentals; specialized kite or windsurf rental is limited locally.
- Gear Storage
- Limited to private accommodations and some local surf shops.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repair available in neighboring towns; major kite or sail repair typically requires transit to Portland or Hood River.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A temperate Oregon coast area combining wide sandy beaches, scenic viewpoints, and outdoor activities alongside multi-sport water conditions.
A 2,448-acre park featuring temperate rainforests and dramatic coastal views.
A community hub for visual, literary, and horticultural arts in Manzanita.
A popular hiking trail offering panoramic views of the coastline from the summit.
Casual upscale dining focusing on seasonal Northwest ingredients.
Popular breakfast and brunch spot in the heart of Manzanita.
Bicycling, horseback riding, and crabbing in the bay.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Manzanita?
The best overall months at Manzanita are May, June, July, August, September. The best wind months are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Manzanita?
Manzanita works with NW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Manzanita?
Recommended equipment sizes at Manzanita: Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.2–5.7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Manzanita suitable for?
Manzanita suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.