Oregon
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Lincoln City, 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 5-6ft. Later in the day looks more promising — 6-7ft and poor.
Sun, May 17: 4–5ft, 12s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 5-6ft waves on WNW swell at 12s and light ENE winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 14mph from the N and dropping conditions to poor.
Mon, May 18: 5–6ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 4-5ft waves on WNW swell at 10s and light NNE winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 12mph from the NNW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Tue, May 19: 5–6ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 5-6ft waves on WNW swell at 14s with glassy conditions. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 10mph from the NNW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Wed, May 20: 4–5ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 4-5ft waves on WNW swell at 12s and light NNE winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 12mph from the NNW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
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Lincoln City is a mellow beach break nestled along the central Oregon coast, where the broad sandy shoreline receives consistent northwest swells rolling in from the Pacific. The waves here tend to be forgiving and mushy, making it a welcoming spot for beginners and longboarders, though fall swells can push the surf into more punchy intermediate territory. Oregon's rugged coastal scenery, cool waters, and uncrowded lineup give Lincoln City a raw, exploratory feel that rewards those willing to suit up in a thick wetsuit.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Lincoln City is 5-6ft with a 9.1s swell period. Wind is NW at 17mph 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 Lincoln City is 5-6ft, produced by a 1ft SW primary swell at 15s, a 8.8ft WNW wind swell swell at 9s. 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 Lincoln City is Tuesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 6ft waves, a 13.95s swell period, and conditions rated Very Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Lincoln City 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 Lincoln City. 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.
Lincoln City is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Lincoln City is a mellow beach break nestled along the central Oregon coast, where the broad sandy shoreline receives consistent northwest swells rolling in from the Pacific. The waves here tend to be forgiving and mushy, making it a welcoming spot for beginners and longboarders, though fall swells can push the surf into more punchy intermediate territory. Oregon's rugged coastal scenery, cool waters, and uncrowded lineup give Lincoln City a raw, exploratory feel that rewards those willing to suit up in a thick wetsuit.
The prime season at Lincoln City 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 Lincoln City include cold water, strong currents, sneaker waves, rip currents, hypothermia risk. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Lincoln City 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.
