Washington
The sweet spot is around midday — 6-7ft waves, 20mph SSE winds, fair conditions.
The sweet spot is around midday — 6-7ft waves, 20mph SSE winds, fair conditions.
Best window·Thursday 10AM–1PM·6-7ft·Good
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Ocean Shores, Washington. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Thu, Sep 3: 6–7ft, 11s period, rated Fair. Midday is the call — 6-7ft waves with 20mph out of the SSE and fair conditions. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.
Fri, Sep 4: 3–4ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on WNW swell at 9s with light winds out of the NNE. The NW wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and very poor by then.
Sat, Sep 5: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on WNW swell at 9s with light winds out of the NE. The NW wind kicks in by afternoon — 11mph and very poor by then.
Sun, Sep 6: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on WNW swell at 8s with moderate NE wind around 8mph. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Mon, Sep 7: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on NW swell at 8s with gentle NNW breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 11mph from the NW and dropping conditions to very poor.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
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Check Ocean Shores from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
Ocean Shores is a welcoming beach break on Washington's Pacific coast, featuring consistent rolling waves across a sandy bottom that's ideal for learning and progression. The spot's eastward-facing exposure captures Pacific swells well during autumn and winter months when North American storms generate quality waves. With a forgiving sandy beach and relatively gentle takeoffs, this is a perfect destination for beginners looking to develop their skills in the Pacific Northwest.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Ocean Shores is 6-7ft with a 10.6s swell period. Wind is SSE at 22mph. Conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Ocean Shores is 6-7ft, produced by a 9.2ft W primary swell at 11s, a 6ft S wind swell swell at 7s, a 1.2ft SW tertiary swell at 13s, a 1.2ft SW tertiary swell at 17s. 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 Ocean Shores is Thursday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 6ft waves, a 10.5s swell period, and conditions rated Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Ocean Shores 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 Ocean Shores. 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.
Ocean Shores is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Ocean Shores is a welcoming beach break on Washington's Pacific coast, featuring consistent rolling waves across a sandy bottom that's ideal for learning and progression. The spot's eastward-facing exposure captures Pacific swells well during autumn and winter months when North American storms generate quality waves. With a forgiving sandy beach and relatively gentle takeoffs, this is a perfect destination for beginners looking to develop their skills in the Pacific Northwest.
The prime season at Ocean Shores 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 Ocean Shores include strong currents, cold water, occasional logs and debris. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Ocean Shores 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
