Best Time to Surf Lincoln City (2026)
Lincoln City, Oregon — Month-by-month surf guide
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Surfing in April
April
Lincoln City is between peak seasons right now. Expect 3-6 ft waves and 49°F water. Peak month: December.
Surf Score by Month
Score reflects overall surf quality each month — combining peak season activity, water temperature, and crowd levels.
Monthly Breakdown
January
0
Waves6-12 ft
Water temp48°F
Wetsuit5/4mm + boots/gloves/hood
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking1
Big winter storms, raw power
February
0
Waves6-10 ft
Water temp47°F
Wetsuit5/4mm + boots/gloves/hood
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking1
Consistent large swells
March
0
Waves4-8 ft
Water temp48°F
Wetsuit5/4mm + boots/gloves/hood
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking0
Late winter swells fading
April
0
Waves3-6 ft
Water temp49°F
Wetsuit4/3mm + boots
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking0
Spring transitions
May
0
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp50°F
Wetsuit4/3mm + boots
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking0
Smaller swells, improving weather
June
0
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp52°F
Wetsuit4/3mm
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking0
Glassy mornings, summer starting
July
0
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp55°F
Wetsuit4/3mm
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking0
Small clean summer surf
August
0
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp58°F
Wetsuit4/3mm
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking0
Warmest water, small swells
September
Peak0
Waves4-8 ft
Water temp56°F
Wetsuit4/3mm
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking0
Fall swell season begins, offshore winds
October
Peak0
Waves4-8 ft
Water temp54°F
Wetsuit4/3mm + boots
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking0
Peak fall season, consistent swells
November
Peak0
Waves5-10 ft
Water temp52°F
Wetsuit5/4mm + boots/gloves/hood
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking1
Big swells return, heavy rubber
December
0
Waves6-12 ft
Water temp50°F
Wetsuit5/4mm + boots/gloves/hood
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking1
Winter storms, big waves
Dawn Patrol vs Afternoon Sessions
Dawn Patrol
- Typically glassier conditions before onshore winds build
- Smaller crowds, especially on weekdays
- Water temps at their coolest — plan your wetsuit for the low end (48°F in winter)
- Best for beach breaks and exposed reef setups in Lincoln City
Afternoon Sessions
- Onshore winds can create chop, but swell is often more consistent
- Higher crowds on popular beaches, especially weekends
- Water warms through the day — upper end (58°F in summer)
- Sunset sessions can be magic when winds die down
Top Surf Spots in Lincoln City
Nelscott Reef
advancedlight
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb