Washington
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.
Sat, May 16: 6–7ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 6-7ft waves on SW swell at 15s and 14mph NW winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Sun, May 17: 6–7ft, 12s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 6-7ft and mostly poor - fair with moderate NNW wind around 11mph.
Mon, May 18: 5–6ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 5-6ft and poor - fair conditions with moderate NW wind around 11mph.
Tue, May 19: 6–7ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 6-7ft waves and poor - fair conditions with moderate NW wind around 12mph.
Wed, May 20: 5–6ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 5-6ft on WNW swell at 12s with light NNE winds. The WNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 12mph and poor by then.
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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 5-7+ft with a 13.4s swell period. Wind is NW at 14mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Ocean Shores is 5-7+ft, produced by a 0.9ft SW primary swell at 16s, a 0.5ft SW secondary swell at 12s, a 6.8ft W wind swell swell at 13s. 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 Saturday from 12 PM to 3 PM with 7ft waves, a 12.85s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
