Neakahnie Beach (Neahkahnie Point)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Medium waves, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Neakahnie Beach (Neahkahnie Point) is a rugged, exposed Oregon coast spot built around a rocky reef/point break producing predominantly right-hand waves. The setup is frequently described as powerful, with waves peeling along the rocky point and running out toward sandy areas, but it can be unreliable with a notable portion of time where surf is blown out or not clean. For surfing, winter swell is the headline: sources highlight best conditions on winter swells (with January singled out) and working ranges of NW–SW/west swell directions. Ridgelines can hold longer rides on cleaner swells, and while the wave is often described as powerful, larger winter sets can become heavy and messy—so experience with cold, rocky shorebreak/impact zones matters. Wind sports are strongest in late spring through early fall. For kitesurfing, best wind directions are WNW and NW and the best months are May through September; one guidance also notes that typical NW winds can blow surfing out while still enabling wave-focused kiting (with cross-onshore wind contributing to ramps). For wind direction planning, cleaner surf is associated with East or Southeast offshore winds, while NW winds are more likely to degrade wave quality. Safety planning is essential: strong rip currents/strong currents, rocks and boulders, driftwood logs (especially at higher tides), and sharks are all flagged hazards across sources. Access typically involves a long walk down from the headland car park, so bring gear accordingly, expect cold water year-round, and plan emergency response knowing on-water rescue is not available.
- Right-hand exposed reef/point-break surfing
- May through September WNW–NW winds for kitesurfing
- Peeling wave sections from rocky point toward sandy area
- Iconic right-hand reef/point-break character for intermediate surfers
- Reliable late-spring through early-fall NW/WNW winds for kiting
- Opens up into a sandy area for wave peeling/sections described along the point
- Exposed rocky/reef environment with hazards (rocks/boulders) and strong rip currents reported
- Surf can be unreliable/blown out on typical NW winds
- Cold water year-round—requires appropriate thermal protection
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- WNW, NW
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE, NE, SE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze influence in summer on the Manzanita coast; thermal reinforcement can strengthen afternoon winds.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–11 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves, Ocean
- Beach
- Mixed — Sand is referenced, with mixed sandy/rocky areas around the point.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Surf and water described as medium wave.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach area south of the rocky point (kite/foil launch reference).
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launching/entry described as moderate due to uneven terrain and rocky proximity.
Through the year
Busier in summer months with tourists; weekends tend to have few surfers for surfing.
November through March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Kitesurfing is possible when onshore/windy conditions make surfing poor. Best wind directions are WNW and NW; best months are May through September. Cross-onshore NW wind can provide wave riding conditions.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–11 m²
Wave sailing can work when the NW wind kicks in, though it is reported as less popular than nearby options.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5.3 m²
Possible in open water, but foil users must be cautious of rocks near the point and the heavy shore break.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly conditions are limited due to hazards near the point.
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
Exposed reef/point break producing right-hand waves. Works on all tides in sources; winter swells are best for surfing, with unreliable conditions noted in some guides.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- NW, SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Works on all tides per surf guidance; one guide also references mid tide as optimal.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed headland/reef setup with limited protection from swell and wind.
- Wind Effect
- Cleanest with East or Southeast offshore winds; typical NW winds tend to blow the surf out. Onshore/cross-onshore wind makes wave quality poorer, though it may be workable for kitesurfing when surfing is poor.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and messy on large winter swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Overall quality described as average; clean surfable waves reported about 28% of the time in January.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Described as powerful for the right-hand point/reef wave.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling right-hand waves off the rocky point into adjacent sandy areas.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling at a medium speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Normal 50–150 m; good day 150–300 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal: 50–150 m; Good day: 150–300 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Neakahnie Beach (Neahkahnie Point) in the full forecast view.
Neakahnie Beach (Neahkahnie Point) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–13 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- SSW193°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2513 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–2.7 m9s period
- Temperature
- 4–13 °C
Over the next 7 days, Neakahnie Beach (Neahkahnie Point) is forecast for daytime winds of 1–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 1.0–2.7 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
- rip currents
- rocks
- stones
- boulders
- driftwood
- strong currents
- cold water
- sharks
- submerged boulders
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No on-water rescue for wind sports reported (regional emergency services only).
- Emergency Info
- Dial 911 for all emergencies. The nearest major hospital is in Tillamook.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism reported.
Rules of the spot
All tides acceptable for surfing; rising and falling tides work. Standard Oregon beach rules apply; no motor vehicles on the beach.
- No motor vehicles on the beach
- Long walk (>30 min) from the headland car park to the wave—plan time and gear carry.
- Watch for large logs rolling in the surf during high tides.
- Rocks/stones in the impact zone can limit surfing except at the headland corner.
- During windy/onshore conditions, surfing can get blown out—kiters may find better options.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Manzanita
- Nearest Town
- Neahkahnie Beach
- Parking
- Car park on the headland above the wave (after turning off Highway 101 ~1 mile past Oswald West State Park). Also reported: limited parking in pull-outs along Highway 101 or at the north end of Manzanita.
- Public Transport
- Very limited; a private vehicle is essential for sports gear.
- Access
- Turn off Highway 101 about 1 mile past Oswald West State Park; park on the headland above the wave, then walk down the cliff face to check surf. Alternatively, turn off Highway 101 at Neahkahine Beach or Manzanita Beach and walk to the northern end of Neahkahnie Beach where boulders start; walk until seeing the wave breaking along the boulders. Accessible via a trail from Highway 101 or by walking north from Manzanita beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Vacation rentals and hotels available in/around Manzanita.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and grocery stores are in nearby Manzanita.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf and SUP rentals available in Manzanita and nearby areas; specialized kite/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; specialized kite/sail repair may require transit.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A 2,448-acre park featuring temperate rainforests and dramatic coastal views.
A popular hiking trail offering panoramic views of the coastline from the summit.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Neakahnie Beach (Neahkahnie Point)?
The best overall months at Neakahnie Beach (Neahkahnie Point) are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Neakahnie Beach (Neahkahnie Point)?
Neakahnie Beach (Neahkahnie Point) works with WNW, NW winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE, NE, SE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Neakahnie Beach (Neahkahnie Point)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Neakahnie Beach (Neahkahnie Point): 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 Neakahnie Beach (Neahkahnie Point) suitable for?
Neakahnie Beach (Neahkahnie Point) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.