Rockaway Beach Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Rockaway Beach Surf Guide
Built as summer resorts for Portlanders in the second decade of the last century, Rockaway Beach and Manzanita combined are home to about a dozen miles of typical flat-bottomed beachbreak with the requisite dune grass and driftwood on the sand, wide open to much wind and swell. The area is good during the summer with small, clean swells and east wind, but that’s about it.
Ability Level
All Abilities
Beginner-Intermediate
Local Vibe
Welcoming
None, really.
Crowd Factor
Mellow
None. Pick your peak.
Spot Rating
Poor
Kinda fun.
Shoulder Burn
Medium
Not too bad.
Water Quality
Clean
Clean.
Hazards
Fewer surfers equals shorter menu.
Bring Your
Shortboard, Funboard, Longboard, Fish
Access
For summer access at Rockaway Beach, turn west onto N. First Avenue at the sign saying Rockaway Beach Access. For Manzanita, take Leneda Avenue through Manzanita and turn right onto Ocean Road (it's the only way you can go). A little more beach is accessible by veering left onto Beulah Reed Road.
Bottom
Sand
Best Season
April-October
Do you have local knowledge about Rockaway Beach?
If you have any insights or information to add to this spot guide, drop us a note at [email protected]