Oregon
Best window·Sunday 6AM–9AM·7ft·Fair
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cape Kiwanda, Oregon. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Wed, Jun 24: 4–5ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 3-4ft and poor - fair with calm winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 6mph.
Thu, Jun 25: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 3-4ft waves and poor - fair conditions with light N winds.
Fri, Jun 26: 4–5ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 3-4ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 8mph WNW winds.
Sat, Jun 27: 7–8ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 6-7ft waves on W swell at 9s with gentle W breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 10mph from the WSW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Sun, Jun 28: 7–8ft, 10s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 7-8ft waves on WNW swell at 9s and light winds out of the S. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Cape Kiwanda is a stunning Oregon surf destination nestled along the Pacific City coastline, where a dramatic sandstone headland shelters the break and helps shape rideable waves even on stormy days. The spot produces punchy beach break peaks that work best on northwest swells, offering fun lefts and rights across a sandy bottom. What makes Cape Kiwanda truly unique in Oregon is the iconic dory boat launch scene and the towering golden cape that frames the lineup, creating one of the most visually spectacular surfing environments on the Pacific Northwest coast.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Cape Kiwanda is 3-4ft with a 6.95s swell period. Wind is N at 11mph 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 Cape Kiwanda is 3-4ft, produced by a 3ft NW primary swell at 7s, a 0.9ft WNW secondary swell at 8s, a 0.8ft WNW tertiary swell at 11s. 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 Cape Kiwanda is Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 7ft waves, a 9.5s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Cape Kiwanda 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 Cape Kiwanda. 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.
Cape Kiwanda is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Cape Kiwanda is a stunning Oregon surf destination nestled along the Pacific City coastline, where a dramatic sandstone headland shelters the break and helps shape rideable waves even on stormy days. The spot produces punchy beach break peaks that work best on northwest swells, offering fun lefts and rights across a sandy bottom. What makes Cape Kiwanda truly unique in Oregon is the iconic dory boat launch scene and the towering golden cape that frames the lineup, creating one of the most visually spectacular surfing environments on the Pacific Northwest coast.
The prime season at Cape Kiwanda 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 Cape Kiwanda include strong currents, dory boat traffic, shore dump, cold water, sneaker waves, rocks near headland. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Cape Kiwanda 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
