Short Sands Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
NW, N or big S.
Wind
NW at Long Sands, S at Short Sands.
Surf Height
Head high-2X overhead.
Tide
Incoming.
Short Sands Surf Guide
The nine or so miles from Ecola Creek south to Falcon Cove (including Tolovana Beach and Cannon Beach proper) is basically all beachbreak, thus surfable only when small and clean. The mouth of Ecola Creek occasionally has a good bar. Just south of Cape Falcon, most North Coast denizens choose Oswald West State Park, aka Short Sands Beach, as their premier spot due to its wind protection and sand bottom. The surf can either be peaky and hollow or soft and mushy, depending on the tide and swell factor. It's a horseshoe cove, so the place is safe from all but W winds. Nonetheless, Short Sands is hardly a substantial spot -- more like a retreat from the wind than a good place to log tube time.
Local Vibe
Mellow.
Crowd Factor
Moderate, depending on swell.
Spot Rating
Fun.
Shoulder Burn
Not too bad.
Water Quality
Minimal and nothing really to worry about.
Hazards
Freezing water temps in winter.
Access
Park and hike down.
Bottom
Sand.
Best Season
September-February.
Do you have local knowledge about Short Sands?
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