Neahkahnie Beach, Oregon (USA)
Winter-only Pacific spot with marginal wind and serious water hazards. Cold, choppy, and punishing—come locked in or don't come.
- 11kts
- Average wind
- 75
- Windy days / year
- 13:00–16:00
- Peak wind hours
- S
- Primary direction
Location
- Nearest airports
- Airport - Seattle / Tacoma International, WA
- Coordinates
- 45.7354, -123.9480
Monthly wind profile (peak window)
Jan
29%
rideable
15.2 kts
Feb
32%
rideable
16.2 kts
Mar
34%
rideable
16.2 kts
Apr
18%
rideable
14.8 kts
May
10%
rideable
12.9 kts
Jun
13%
rideable
14.1 kts
Jul
5%
rideable
12.3 kts
Aug
5%
rideable
13.7 kts
Sep
3%
rideable
13.9 kts
Oct
19%
rideable
15.3 kts
Nov
32%
rideable
17.7 kts
Dec
47%
rideable
16.8 kts
Best wind directions
- S
- SSW
- SW
- NNW
- WSW
Water conditions
- Ocean
- Choppy
Best months
Hazards
- Choppy ocean conditions with strong shore break and rip currents common in winter swells
- Rocky outcrops and submerged rocks near Neahkahnie Mountain headland
- Cold water temperatures and unpredictable Pacific swells creating hazardous cross-shore chop
- Limited visibility during frequent fog and low-light conditions in winter peak season
What that means for you
- Walk gear out — don't drag downwind across rocks
- Strong current — walk back upwind, don't body-drag down
Amenities
- Parking and beach access near Cannon Beach town with shops and restaurants
- Neahkahnie Mountain hiking trailhead and scenic coastal views
- Basic facilities in nearby Cannon Beach including lodging and supplies
Local tips
Winter (Dec-Feb) offers the best wind consistency at 75 days/year, but conditions are challenging. Check tide tables and local surf forecasts before sessions as ocean swell significantly impacts water state.
Launch & beach
Launch from sandy areas during lower tide to avoid rocky sections. Southerly and westerly winds are most consistent; watch for wind shadow effects from the adjacent headland and expect choppy conditions requiring careful entry and exit timing.
Local etiquette
Respect other beach users and maintain distance from swimmers and surfers. Coordinate with local kiters during crowded winter sessions and follow established launch zones.
What to wear
Wear 5-6mm winter wetsuits (Dec-Feb) and 4-5mm suits for transitional months (Nov, Mar) due to cold Pacific water averaging 45-50°F. Hood and booties are essential year-round.
What to pack
Kite sizes
- 14–17 mlight wind, under 14 kn
- 11–14 mtypical sessions, 14–22 kn
Boards
- Twintip — universal, bring one
- Hydrofoil — light-wind spot, rideable from ~10 kn
What to wear (by climate)
- In the water
- 3/2 mm full wetsuit.
- On land
- Hoody and jacket; long pants in the evening.
Derived from the spot's latitude (temperate zone) and current season.
Right of way & manners
- 1Rider entering the water has right of way over riders coming in.
- 2Upwind rider gives way — keep your kite high when passing downwind riders low.
- 3Starboard tack (right hand forward) has priority when crossing.
- 4Overtaking rider keeps clear of the slower rider's line.
- 5Wave riding: the rider on the wave owns it — don't drop in.
Spot guide
The Experience
Neahkahnie Beach is a winter-only affair. You're launching into Pacific swells with Neahkahnie Mountain at your back, and the ocean plays by its own rules. Southwesterly winds funnel off the headland inconsistently. Sandy beach at low tide; rock-strewn at high. Time your launch or spend an hour picking your way to the water.
Wind & Conditions
January through March clusters most of the 75 annual windy days here. Expect 10–12 knots, mostly S to SSW. That's lean. You need solid efficiency and light touch to make sessions work. Westerlies are unreliable—the headland shadows them strangely. Winter Pacific fog is standard, not occasional. Low-light sessions are common.
Water Hazards
North Pacific water demands thick winter gear. Rip currents run during winter swell. Cross-shore chop is the baseline condition. Rocks exist near the headland—tide knowledge isn't optional, it's survival. This water tests your breath control and decision-making.
Who Belongs Here
You need solid fundamentals, cold-water experience, and the discipline to bail. If chop shakes you or reading tides feels abstract, you'll either leave angry or hurt. Riders with North Pacific experience and genuine tide awareness find consistent winter sessions when the rest of the country is stuck indoors.
Nearby
Canyon Beach has shops, food, and beds. Neahkahnie Mountain trailhead is minutes away. The beach itself is about the ride.