Swell Intel

Cape Lookout Surf Forecast, Oregon

Oregon

Right now
Poor - Fair
overall conditions
2-3ft
knee to waist high
Cross-shore·N 12–16 mph
Swell3.1ft @ 7s NW
TideLow, rising · high 9:49 PM

Best window·Sunday 6AM9AM·5ft·Fair

Cape Lookout 5-Day Forecast Summary

Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cape Lookout, 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: 23ft, 7s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on NW swell at 7s and barely a breath of wind. Onshore flow builds through the day to 6mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.

Thu, Jun 25: 23ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 2-3ft and mostly poor - fair with gentle N breeze. Afternoon breeze fills in to 9mph.

Fri, Jun 26: 23ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 2-3ft and mostly poor - fair with 9mph WNW winds.

Sat, Jun 27: 56ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 4-5ft on W swell at 9s with calm winds. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 8mph and poor - fair by then.

Sun, Jun 28: 56ft, 10s period, rated Fair. Expect 5-6ft all day on WNW swell at 9s with gentle S breeze — nothing amazing but surfable.

Daily Forecast

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Cape Lookout Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
W
Best Wind
E
Season
Fall

Cape Lookout is a dynamic beach break located on Oregon's dramatic northern coast, where consistent Pacific swells wrap around the cape's headland to create quality waves across a sandy bottom. The ESE-facing break picks up west and northwest swell particularly well during fall and winter months, offering both lined-up peaks and fun shoulder sections depending on the tide and swell direction. The beach offers good accessibility and a mix of conditions, making it a solid spot for intermediate surfers looking to escape the crowds while enjoying Oregon's rugged coastal scenery.

Strong currents around the capeRocks at the northern headlandCold water temperaturesPowerful winter swells can be heavy

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

Cape Lookout Surf Forecast FAQ

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What is the current surf forecast for Cape Lookout?

The current wave height at Cape Lookout is 2-3ft with a 7s swell period. Wind is N at 12mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.

What is the breaking wave height at Cape Lookout?

The current breaking wave height at Cape Lookout is 2-3ft, produced by a 3.1ft NW primary swell at 7s, a 0.8ft WNW secondary swell at 11s, a 0.7ft SW tertiary swell at 12s. 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 Cape Lookout?

Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Cape Lookout is Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 5ft waves, a 9.5s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.

What swell and wind direction work best at Cape Lookout?

Cape Lookout 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.

What tide is best at Cape Lookout?

Tide plays a big role at Cape Lookout. 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 Cape Lookout and who is it for?

Cape Lookout is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Cape Lookout is a dynamic beach break located on Oregon's dramatic northern coast, where consistent Pacific swells wrap around the cape's headland to create quality waves across a sandy bottom. The ESE-facing break picks up west and northwest swell particularly well during fall and winter months, offering both lined-up peaks and fun shoulder sections depending on the tide and swell direction. The beach offers good accessibility and a mix of conditions, making it a solid spot for intermediate surfers looking to escape the crowds while enjoying Oregon's rugged coastal scenery.

When is the best season to surf Cape Lookout?

The prime season at Cape Lookout 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 Cape Lookout?

Common hazards at Cape Lookout include strong currents around the cape, rocks at the northern headland, cold water temperatures, powerful winter swells can be heavy. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.

How accurate is the Cape Lookout surf forecast?

Our Cape Lookout 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.