Oregon
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cape Kiwanda, Oregon. 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. Patience pays off today — morning is poor with 6-7ft. Later in the day looks more promising — 6-7ft and poor - fair.
Sun, May 17: 5–6ft, 12s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 6-7ft waves on WNW swell at 12s and moderate NE wind around 9mph. Onshore flow builds through the day to 13mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Mon, May 18: 4–5ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 4-5ft on WNW swell at 10s with light winds out of the N. The NNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 13mph and poor - fair by then.
Tue, May 19: 5–6ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 5-6ft waves on WNW swell at 14s with barely a breath of wind. The NNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 13mph and poor - fair by then.
Wed, May 20: 4–5ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 5-6ft on WNW swell at 12s with light NE winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 13mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
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Cape Kiwanda is a stunning Oregon surf destination nestled along the Pacific City coastline, where a dramatic sandstone headland shelters the break and helps shape rideable waves even on stormy days. The spot produces punchy beach break peaks that work best on northwest swells, offering fun lefts and rights across a sandy bottom. What makes Cape Kiwanda truly unique in Oregon is the iconic dory boat launch scene and the towering golden cape that frames the lineup, creating one of the most visually spectacular surfing environments on the Pacific Northwest coast.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Cape Kiwanda is 5-7ft with a 8.05s swell period. Wind is NW at 19mph 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 Kiwanda is 5-7ft, produced by a 6.4ft W primary swell at 8s, a 3.2ft WNW secondary swell at 13s, a 0.7ft SW tertiary swell at 15s. 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 Kiwanda is Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 7ft waves, a 11.65s swell period, and conditions rated Very Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Cape Kiwanda works best with a NW 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 Kiwanda. 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 Kiwanda is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Cape Kiwanda is a stunning Oregon surf destination nestled along the Pacific City coastline, where a dramatic sandstone headland shelters the break and helps shape rideable waves even on stormy days. The spot produces punchy beach break peaks that work best on northwest swells, offering fun lefts and rights across a sandy bottom. What makes Cape Kiwanda truly unique in Oregon is the iconic dory boat launch scene and the towering golden cape that frames the lineup, creating one of the most visually spectacular surfing environments on the Pacific Northwest coast.
The prime season at Cape Kiwanda 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 Kiwanda include strong currents, dory boat traffic, shore dump, cold water, sneaker waves, rocks near headland. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Cape Kiwanda 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.
