Skip to content
OpenWaterAtlas
A surfer skillfully rides waves under a clear blue sky on Oregon's scenic coastline.
📷 Josh Hild · Pexels

Wilderness

3.7 — based on 20 community signals
4.2 12 species 27 contributors

Wilderness is a year-round surf destination in the United States with consistent waves and accessible breaks for multiple skill levels.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Shore entry

At a glance

Activity
surf
Difficulty
beginner

Map

This spot POIs Airport Nearby spots
Wilderness location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
7 kn
Wave
0.8 m
Water
30.1°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: E (37%)
Now: ENE (74°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.39m

Today: High 00:00 (+0.4m), Low 07:00 (+0.22m)

+0.6 m+0.2 m
▲ 00:00 · +0.4m ▼ 07:00 · +0.22m ▲ 15:00 · +0.56m ▼ 22:00 · +0.32m Now +0.4m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV8.3 · very high Air PM2.512 · good 06:16 18:28
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 7.5 0.82 8 2mm
09-19 6.6 0.8 9 16mm
09-20 5.2 0.56 8 7mm
09-21 4.8 0.46 8 7mm
09-22 6.7 0.42 9 7mm
09-23 9.5 0.46 8 11mm
09-24 4.8 0.52 8 2mm

About this spot

Wilderness offers reliable surfing throughout the year, making it a solid choice for anyone chasing waves without seasonal constraints. The break produces rideable swells for both beginners working on fundamentals and intermediate surfers looking to refine technique. The area sits outside marine protected zones, giving surfers straightforward access without permit complications. Local conditions support a diverse range of sessions. Swell patterns remain stable across months, which means you can plan trips with confidence. The break's design creates multiple peaks, so crowds spread out naturally even when other surfers show up. Community engagement here runs strong. Experienced surfers have shared videos documenting conditions and approach tips, and local wildlife observations add context to the marine environment. This grassroots documentation helps you understand what to expect before paddling out.

📖 Guide: Diving in the United States: 87 Sites From Springs to Open Ocean

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 🏄 Surfboard or rental confirmation
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B · 120V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 6806km · ~1565kg · €28

FAQ

When is the best time to surf Wilderness?

Wilderness works year-round, so you can chase waves in any season. Consistency throughout the year means you're not locked into narrow windows—plan your trip whenever it suits your schedule.

What's the skill level for Wilderness?

The break accommodates multiple abilities. Beginners find manageable sections to practice, while intermediate surfers can challenge themselves on steeper peaks. Check community videos to gauge whether the current conditions match your level.

Are there any permits or access restrictions?

Wilderness is not inside a marine protected area, so access is straightforward without special permits or regulatory hurdles. Standard beach etiquette and local customs apply.

What marine life should I expect?

Twelve species observations are documented in the area. Review available community resources and local reports to familiarize yourself with wildlife patterns before you paddle out.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

18 records · 17 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Nerita peloronta

Gastropoda · Neritidae
GBIF
Last seen:
23 Jan 2026
×1records

Helicina striata

Gastropoda · Helicinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
8 Jan 2026
×1records

Caracolus carocolla

Gastropoda · Solaropsidae
GBIF
Last seen:
8 Jan 2026
×1records

Vasula deltoidea

Gastropoda · Muricidae
GBIF
Last seen:
6 Jan 2026
×1records

Ornithoteuthis antillarum

Cephalopoda · Ommastrephidae
OBIS
Last seen:
15 Apr 2022
×1records
Depth:
303 m

Demospongiae

Demospongiae
OBIS
Last seen:
15 Apr 2022
×1records
Depth:
284 m

Hydrozoa

Hydrozoa
OBIS
Last seen:
15 Apr 2022
×1records
Depth:
448 m

Ascidiacea

Ascidiacea
OBIS
Last seen:
1 May 2019
×1records
Depth:
8–14 m

Aplysina cauliformis

Demospongiae · Aplysinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Mar 2013
×1records
Depth:
8–14 m

Panulirus argus

Malacostraca · Palinuridae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Sept 2011
×1records
Depth:
28–35 m

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale
Mammalia · Balaenopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
24 Feb 1993
×2records

Stenoninereis martini

Polychaeta · Nereididae
OBIS
Last seen:
6 Aug 1979
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Torren Martyn - Lost Track New Zealand - needessentials

needessentials
💬 3 top comments
  • My mum’s pumped you included her pharmacy

    @philipalcock · 👍 293
  • Thank you Need Essentials for making the best surfing films of the last 40 years. The sort of stuff that inspires you to change your life. I just want you and all the surfers to know how magical these works of art are.

    @selectsovereigntydefendlib9884 · 👍 285
  • A Great trip, I was over their in 1975 with my 7/6 board,, surfed alot around Gisbourne, east coast north island then onto the west coast.... stayed on the cape. New Plymoth, a wave on any wind but you needed a car, blew up 2 of them up, people used to go on about Raglean but there are better point breaks where we were ,so if you have transport you cant go wrong.... back then you didnt need a pass

    @willorr1494 · 👍 1

The U.S. East Coast: Surf and Turf | Full Documentary

Free High-Quality Documentaries
💬 3 top comments
  • I've enjoyed every stretch of this documentary about the U.S. East Coast! Thank you!

    @silkeden1 · 👍 6
  • Aberdeen, Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿. T

    @ramthian · 👍 5
  • Don't get it twisted, people. It's pretty cold up there normally and there is a small window where the ocean is warm enough to swim in. I am from NJ and live in NYC. The waters here are decent as far as temperature goes in July, August and Septemher. But north of Boston, MA. into R.I and New Hampshire upwards, it gets pretty cold to stay in the water more than a few minutes without getting hypothe

    @SuperWittleGuy · 👍 2

Wilderness Video

National Geographic Creative
wind peaks Jul-Feb-Aug, calmest May-Sep-Oct, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)

Nearby spots

The Room United States Surfing
🇺🇸 United States

The Room

The Room is a year-round surf break in the United States with active community engagement and documented species observations.

La Ocho United States Surfing
🇺🇸 United States

La Ocho

La Ocho is a year-round surf spot in the United States with consistent waves and a small but active local community.

Jan·Feb·Mar+
Fiji United States Surfing
🇺🇸 United States

Fiji

Fiji offers year-round waves for surfers seeking tropical reef and beach breaks across multiple islands.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+

Similar spots

Same activity, shared marine species or similar profile.

Kamea Meha United States Surfing
🇺🇸 United States

Kamea Meha

Kamea Meha is a year-round surf spot in San Juan, Puerto Rico, offering consistent waves in an accessible urban location.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Kokomo United States Surfing
🇺🇸 United States

Kokomo

Kokomo is a year-round surf destination in the United States with consistent waves and easy access for all skill levels.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Playa Pato Dominican Republic Surfing
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic

Playa Pato

Playa Pato is a year-round surf destination in the Dominican Republic near the Nizao River, offering consistent waves and easy access.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Spot de Damencourt France Surfing
🇫🇷 France

Spot de Damencourt

Spot de Damencourt is a year-round French surf break with a growing community presence and minimal regulatory restrictions.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+

Suggest an operator

Know a great dive shop, kite school, or local guide at this spot? Tell us — we'll review and add it.

Up to 500 characters
Plan
View →