Washington
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cape Disappointment State Park, Washington. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 6–7ft, 13s period, rated Poor. Hold off if you can — morning starts out poor with 5-6ft waves. Later in the day looks more promising — 6-7ft and poor - fair.
Sun, May 17: 6–7ft, 12s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 6-7ft and poor - fair conditions with 11mph from the N.
Mon, May 18: 5–6ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 4-5ft and poor - fair conditions with 8mph from the NNW.
Tue, May 19: 5–6ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 5-6ft waves on WNW swell at 14s and moderate NW wind around 11mph. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Wed, May 20: 5–6ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 5-6ft and poor - fair with gentle NNW breeze. Expect the wind to bump up to around 12mph by PM.
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Cape Disappointment offers powerful beach breaks along Washington's dramatic southwestern coast, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. The spot faces east and catches consistent west-moving swells that wrap around the cape, creating fun, rolling waves ideal for intermediate surfers looking to avoid crowds. The dynamic interplay between ocean swells and river currents creates unique wave patterns and a raw, rugged atmosphere perfect for those seeking authentic Pacific Northwest surf.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Cape Disappointment State Park is 5-6ft with a 8.05s swell period. Wind is NW at 20mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Cape Disappointment State Park is 5-6ft, produced by a 0.9ft SW primary swell at 15s, a 0.5ft SW secondary swell at 13s, a 7.9ft W wind swell swell at 8s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Cape Disappointment State Park is Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 6ft waves, a 8.7s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Cape Disappointment State Park works best with a W swell and E winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Cape Disappointment State Park. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Cape Disappointment State Park is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Cape Disappointment offers powerful beach breaks along Washington's dramatic southwestern coast, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. The spot faces east and catches consistent west-moving swells that wrap around the cape, creating fun, rolling waves ideal for intermediate surfers looking to avoid crowds. The dynamic interplay between ocean swells and river currents creates unique wave patterns and a raw, rugged atmosphere perfect for those seeking authentic Pacific Northwest surf.
The prime season at Cape Disappointment State Park is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Cape Disappointment State Park include strong currents, dangerous river mouth conditions, rocks, cold water, changeable weather. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Cape Disappointment State Park forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
