Beware: Sneaker Wave Dangers This Weekend Along Washington, Oregon Coast - But Wild Wave Action

Published 2/16/24 at 5:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Astoria, Oregon) – The southern Washington coast and the entire Oregon coast are staring down the barrel of some heavy wave action, with the southern Oregon coast at least getting some big breakers at places like Shore Acres. However, the National Weather Service (NWS) is issuing a beach hazards statement for Saturday and Sunday on the northern half of Oregon and southern Washington coast, with a good possibility for sneaker waves. (Above: village of Cape Meares and some gnarly sneaker waves)

The affected area is from about Westport southward to Florence, and includes Long Beach, Seaside, Manzanita, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Newport and Yachats.

The culprit is a combo of sizable waves with a long period between swells.

See Washington Coast Weather - Oregon Coast Weather

“A long period westerly swell will push into the waters this weekend, with seas building to 12-14 feet with periods of 15-17 seconds,” the NWS said. “This will lead to a high sneaker wave threat along the south Washington and north/central Oregon Coast. Therefore, a Beach Hazards Statement has been issued for these locations from early Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening. Use extra caution when in or near the water.”

See What Not to Do on Oregon Coast: Small Beaches During Big Tides, Video and the recent Worst Beaches of the Oregon Coast for some further tips on beach safety. In one of the videos, you can see how a sneaker wave can unexpectedly surge hundreds of feet.

The NWS said sneaker waves can overrun jetties and rocks as well as beaches.

Shore Acres, Coos Bay, courtesy Oregon's Adventure Coast

“Sneaker waves can suddenly knock people off of their feet and quickly pull them into the frigid ocean which may lead to serious injury or drowning,” NWS said.

Farther south, from Reedsport down through Brookings, there are no beach hazard statements, although there is plenty of power and energy behind those waves as well. Some sort of advisory may happen on the south Oregon coast given the numbers coming from the NWS.

“Swell-built seas will peak on Saturday evening, with waves of 14 to 17 feet at 16 to 17 seconds through all waters,” the NWS said.

These numbers likely mean areas like Shore Acres near Coos Bay and Cape Disappointment at Ilwaco should be putting on a major show. Waves can soar a good 100 feet above you at Shore Acres.

Erosion around the Oregon coast is a good possibility as well, leaving more interesting objects exposed. Among them this winter have been the wreck of the Sujameco [Two Other Shipwrecks Pop Up on S. Oregon Coast, One a Rarity near Coos Bay ] and the Wreck of the Peter Iredale [More of N. Oregon Coast's Wreck of Peter Iredale Showing Than Ever Before: Astoria / Warrenton ].

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Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

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