Florence - South Jetty surf guide

Florence - South Jetty is located just south of the scenic Heceta Head and its lighthouse. The area has some coastal sand dunes and is home to the Siuslaw River, which flows into the Pacific between two large jetties. The South Jetty juts out into the water, providing a bit of shelter from the waves, making it a decent spot to catch some surf on small summer days when the winds come from the north.

The surf here works best with SW swells and can handle sizes starting at about 2ft (0.6m). On smaller waves, you’ll find a nice left and right breaking over the sand. For those looking to paddle out, the best conditions occur at low to mid tides, though it can also work on high tide. The outgoing tide can really push you around, so be mindful of that. It can get a bit busy here, particularly when the swells are good, so it’s a spot for intermediate surfers who can handle a bit of competition.

To get to the South Jetty, you need to cross the river to Glenada and drive into the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The road gets a little rough toward the end, but you'll know you’re close when you hit those potholes. Once you’re at the jetty, you can check both sides to see what’s working best. Remember, the preferred wind direction is from the northeast, which provides some better conditions to ride the waves.