Nelscott in Lincoln City is known for its challenging surf. This spot features two separate breaks, with the far-out reef being the main attraction, especially on those big days when the swells hit 15ft (about 4.6 meters) or more. The waves here can really pull in the experienced surfers who are looking for something intense. Keep in mind, it’s more common to tow into these waves than to paddle out.

The surf works best with a west swell direction, but you might find it breaking nicely with south or northwest swells too. You can expect waves breaking both left and right over an uneven reef and sandy sections. The Nelscott waves tend to handle sizes around 3ft (approximately 0.9 meters) and up, but you’ll really need to be on your game since those waves can be heavy and pinchy. East winds are preferred, and it can work on low, mid, and high tides, but be aware that it’s primarily for expert surfers due to the powerful nature of the breaks.

Locals often mention that Nelscott can be a bit inconsistent, with the prime surf days showing up every other year or so. When conditions are right, the ride can start a quarter-mile out and roll through some kelp fields before reaching the beachbreak. If you venture a bit north, you’ll find Shark Fin Rock, which could serve up a decent right breakout when the sandbars align. Just south of Lincoln City, there are other spots worth checking out, like the beachbreak at Gleneden and the tougher rock-reef right at Boiler Bay which really craves big south to west swells.