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.
Sun, May 10: 5–6ft, 10s period, rated Poor - Fair. Morning kicks off with 5-6ft on W swell at 10s.
Mon, May 11: 5–6ft, 11s period, rated Fair. Midday is the call — 5-6ft waves with gentle E breeze and very good conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning. Don't wait too long — the wind comes back up after lunch.
Tue, May 12: 4–5ft, 11s period, rated Good. Get out early for the best of it — 4-5ft waves on W swell at 11s and moderate ENE wind around 11mph. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Wed, May 13: 4–5ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 4-5ft on W swell at 11s with light winds out of the NW. The WNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and poor - fair by then.
Thu, May 14: 4–5ft, 11s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 4-5ft and poor - fair conditions with 12mph WNW winds.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
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 5-6ft with a 10.3s swell period. Wind is WNW at 9mph 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 5-6ft, produced by a 4.4ft W primary swell at 10s, a 0.8ft SW secondary swell at 17s, a 0.5ft SW tertiary swell at 19s. 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 Monday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 6ft waves, a 10.45s swell period, and conditions rated Very Good. 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.
