Moolack (Newport)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Medium waves
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Moolack (Newport) is an exposed beach-and-reef break on the Oregon coast, known for reasonably consistent surf that can work at any time of the year. The setup has a mix of sand and reef, and reef features can provide both lefts and rights. Sources describe it as primarily a medium-wave spot with an exposed character. For surfing, conditions are described as strongest when you line up with west-to-NW swell direction, and the break is generally best when winds are offshore from the east (while northwest winds can blow the surf out). One guide also notes surf quality isn’t strongly affected by tide, though another source highlights that wind/surf conditions can be influenced by local geography such as cliffs and lower-tide shadowing near the shore. Safety is a major focus at Moolack: multiple sources warn about strong rip currents/seasonal drift, rocks and submerged hazards (including more rocks toward the south end and near Moolack Rocks), and sharks. Cold water is consistently emphasized, and recommended approach is to use full winter-grade wetsuit protection with hood, gloves, and boots year-round. Wind sports are active during late spring and summer, with the best kitesurfing months reported as May through September and kite-friendly directions centered on the northwest. Kiting and wind sports are also described as heavily impacted by currents, so even in the stronger summer wind window, expect current management to be part of the session planning.
- Exposed beach-and-reef surf with reasonably consistent conditions year-round
- Reef features can produce lefts and rights
- Summer NW winds create a reliable window for kitesurfing and wind sports
- Reasonably consistent exposed beach-and-reef break year-round
- Reef break can produce lefts and rights
- Summer provides a reliable NW wind window for wind sports
- Strong rip currents and seasonal longshore drift
- Rocks and submerged hazards in/near the surf zone
- Very cold Pacific water requiring year-round thermal protection
- No lifeguards reported
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, NNW, E
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Providers describe strong summer northwesterly gradient winds; one source also references offshore East winds for best surf conditions.
- Reliability
- high during summer months
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Reported as light gusts.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–11 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with reef components.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size described as medium.
- Launch
- Big — Long sandy beach below cliffs; launch difficulty described as moderate with depth and shorebreak considerations.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Access/entry described as moderate with long sandy launch below cliffs.
Through the year
Generally low to moderate; busier on summer weekends.
Late fall and winter (November through March) bring heavy rain and storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Works with medium waves; best winds from the northwest during May–September. Currents are the main hazard.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–11 m²
Works in summer NW winds, though the stretch is described as more commonly kitesurfed in that window.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5.3 m²
Possible but challenging due to shore break and cold water; depth is generally sufficient once past the break.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly reported as yes.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
Exposed beach-and-reef break with reasonably consistent surf year-round. Reef breaks provide lefts and rights.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Surf quality described as not strongly affected by tide in at least one guide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach/reef setup; less protection from onshore winds.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore East winds tend to favor cleaner surf; NW winds can blow it out.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Reported as average wave quality in one provider; generally consistent surf from at least one other guide.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Wave power reported as moderate; another source describes medium waves.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Mixed wave shape reported.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peel speed reported as medium.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length reported as medium; decent length on well-formed sandbars when conditions line up.
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer decent length on well-formed sandbars.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Moolack (Newport) in the full forecast view.
Moolack (Newport) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–14 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- SSW204°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2514 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–2.7 m9s period
- Temperature
- 5–14 °C
Over the next 7 days, Moolack (Newport) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 25 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
- Rocks
- Sharks
- Currents
- Strong rip currents
- Large logs in surf
- Submerged rocks and fossils (especially toward the south end and near Moolack Rocks)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported at the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — US Coast Guard maritime search and rescue services are available in the immediate coastal area.
- Emergency Info
- Newport has the nearest medical facilities; the Coast Guard station is located in Yaquina Bay.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Described as locally known/low-profile with mostly regional usage.
Rules of the spot
Stay alert for strong rip currents; rocks are present in the surf zone. Use appropriate cold-water thermal protection.
- Limited parking in gravel pullouts along the highway.
- Access includes steep trails and stairs from roadside pullouts.
- Beware of rips and sharks.
- The south end of the beach has more rocks; stay north for cleaner sandbars.
- Always check for driftwood and logs in the water after storms.
- Currents are the main hazard for kiting.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Newport
- Nearest Town
- Newport
- Parking
- Limited parking in gravel pullouts along the highway.
- Access
- Approximately four miles north of Newport in Lincoln County, Oregon; multiple access points off Highway 101, including steep trails and stairs from roadside pullouts.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Hotels and vacation rentals available in nearby Newport.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous restaurants and cafes located a few miles south in Newport.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops in Newport offer rentals.
- Gear Storage
- On-site gear storage is generally limited to specific surf shops or private accommodations.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard and wetsuit repair services available through local surf shops in the Newport area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Moolack (Newport)?
The best overall months at Moolack (Newport) are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Moolack (Newport)?
Moolack (Newport) works with NW, NNW, E winds. Offshore directions are E.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Moolack (Newport)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Moolack (Newport): Kitesurfing: 7–11 m² · Windsurfing: 4.2–5.3 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Moolack (Newport) suitable for?
Moolack (Newport) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate to Advanced · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.