Oregon
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Otter Rock, 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: 3–4ft, 10s period, rated Poor. Hold off if you can — morning starts out poor with 3-4ft waves. Afternoon shapes up better with 3-4ft and poor - fair conditions.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 12s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on WNW swell at 12s with light NE winds. The N wind kicks in by afternoon — 15mph and poor by then.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on WNW swell at 13s with barely a breath of wind. The NNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 14mph and poor - fair by then.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on WNW swell at 14s with barely a breath of wind. The NW wind kicks in by afternoon — 13mph and poor - fair by then.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on WNW swell at 12s and glassy conditions. The NW wind kicks in by afternoon — 12mph and poor - fair by then.
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Otter Rock is a scenic rocky point break on Oregon's central coast that offers consistent, quality waves when swells align properly. The spot's rocky bottom creates defined, peeling waves that work best during larger Pacific swells, particularly those wrapping around from the west. This is a more secluded option compared to nearby breaks, making it a quieter alternative for intermediate surfers seeking waves with character and coastal beauty.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Otter Rock is 3-4ft with a 8.1s 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 Otter Rock is 3-4ft, produced by a 3.4ft WNW primary swell at 13s, a 0.9ft SW secondary swell at 15s, a 0.5ft SW tertiary swell at 13s, a 6.9ft WNW 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 Otter Rock is Tuesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 14.35s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Otter Rock 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 Otter Rock. 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.
Otter Rock is a reef with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Otter Rock is a scenic rocky point break on Oregon's central coast that offers consistent, quality waves when swells align properly. The spot's rocky bottom creates defined, peeling waves that work best during larger Pacific swells, particularly those wrapping around from the west. This is a more secluded option compared to nearby breaks, making it a quieter alternative for intermediate surfers seeking waves with character and coastal beauty.
The prime season at Otter Rock 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 Otter Rock include rocks, strong currents, shallow water, sharp reef. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Otter Rock 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.
