Overview
Seaside Cove sits where the crescent of beach fronting Oregon's ultimate beach town turns rocky and bends west toward the long, bouldered point. Breaking over a mix of boulders and sand, it behaves much like a northside jetty wave. It can turn hollow and hefty when conditions come together, then softens into mushy, sectiony longboard waves at higher tides.
When It Works
The Cove draws swell from west through north, with a west (W) swell the best match, and it stays usable from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 3 m / 10 ft. Lefts peel off the head side at fuller tides, though they close out once the tide drops below 2 ft (0.6 m). Just to the north, sandbar peaks open into clean rights and lefts, especially on a northwest swell. Once a swell pushes past 10 ft (3 m), waves start breaking over the permanent rip that runs along the Cape. It is a consistent spot.
Wind and Tide
Look for southeast (SE) offshore wind. The Cove works through low and mid tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is an intermediate wave that also gives beginners a friendly place to progress. Expect a busy lineup when it turns on, though the crowd here is more relaxed than out at The Point, with less shark danger too.
Access
Surfing at Seaside is limited to the rocky margins of the Cove and the Point; the town's beaches have been closed to surfing since the 1960s. Paddling out is helped by the permanent rip along the Cape, which ferries surfers into the lineup relatively dry-haired.
