Swell Intel

Winchester Bay Surf Forecast, Oregon

Oregon

Winchester Bay surf spot

Current Conditions

Poor
Wave Height
5-7ft
overhead
Swell Period
13.25s
Wind
16mph
NNW / Gusts 21mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Primary
6.8ft @ 9sWNW
Secondary
4.3ft @ 13sWNW
Tertiary
1.0ft @ 15sSW

Winchester Bay 5-Day Forecast Summary

Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Winchester Bay, 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: 67ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. Aim for the middle of the day — 6-7ft on WNW swell at 9s with 12mph from the NNW. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down.

Sun, May 17: 67ft, 12s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 7-8ft on WNW swell at 12s with gentle ENE breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 18mph from the N and dropping conditions to poor.

Mon, May 18: 56ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 5-6ft on NW swell at 10s with light winds out of the ENE. The NNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 16mph and poor - fair by then.

Tue, May 19: 67ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 6-7ft on WNW swell at 14s with light winds out of the ENE. The NNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 13mph and poor - fair by then.

Wed, May 20: 56ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 6-7ft on WNW swell at 12s with light ENE winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 14mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.

Daily Forecast

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Forecast Charts

Winchester Bay Surf Spot Guide

Break
Rivermouth
Bottom
Sand
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Light
Best Swell
NW
Best Wind
NE
Season
Fall

Winchester Bay is a rivermouth break located on the Oregon coast where the Umpqua River meets the Pacific Ocean, offering sandbars that shift with river flow and tidal influence to produce punchy, hollow waves. The spot faces southeast toward the ocean, picking up Northwest swells that wrap around the river mouth and break over sand formations shaped by the river's outflow. This uncrowded gem rewards patient surfers with quality peaks, especially during fall when Oregon's swell season kicks in and offshore winds are most consistent.

Strong currentsRip currentsShifting sandbarsCold waterRiver outflowBoat trafficSneaker waves

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Winchester Bay Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Winchester Bay?

The current wave height at Winchester Bay is 5-7ft with a 13.25s swell period. Wind is NNW at 16mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.

What is the breaking wave height at Winchester Bay?

The current breaking wave height at Winchester Bay is 5-7ft, produced by a 6.8ft WNW primary swell at 9s, a 4.3ft WNW secondary swell at 13s, a 1ft 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.

When is the best time to surf Winchester Bay?

Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Winchester Bay 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.

What swell and wind direction work best at Winchester Bay?

Winchester Bay works best with a NW swell and NE winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.

What tide is best at Winchester Bay?

Tide plays a big role at Winchester Bay. 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.

What kind of wave is Winchester Bay and who is it for?

Winchester Bay is a rivermouth with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Winchester Bay is a rivermouth break located on the Oregon coast where the Umpqua River meets the Pacific Ocean, offering sandbars that shift with river flow and tidal influence to produce punchy, hollow waves. The spot faces southeast toward the ocean, picking up Northwest swells that wrap around the river mouth and break over sand formations shaped by the river's outflow. This uncrowded gem rewards patient surfers with quality peaks, especially during fall when Oregon's swell season kicks in and offshore winds are most consistent.

When is the best season to surf Winchester Bay?

The prime season at Winchester Bay 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.

Are there any hazards to know about at Winchester Bay?

Common hazards at Winchester Bay include strong currents, rip currents, shifting sandbars, cold water, river outflow, boat traffic, sneaker waves. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.

How accurate is the Winchester Bay surf forecast?

Our Winchester Bay 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.