|
Gold Beach Airport Overview
The south oregon Coast near Gold Beach offers some of the best sailing you can find. Consistent north winds (best APRIL-OCT) unbelievable waves, jumping, and absolutely no crowds make this area one of the top places to sail in the world.
Cape Sebastian is a great place to wave sail in the summer. The place is so beautiful, with a huge beach, and no one around. You can sail just downwind of Hunter Island -- on the outside. When it's small, the waves break near shore. But when there's swell here, Hunter Island turns into a point break right that produces classic down the line sailing. When it's on and the swell's good, get ready for a day to remember because this place can be better than Hookipa.
Note that Hunter Island has a thriving seal population and birds like you can't believe. It's got sanctuary designation so it's way too sensitive eco-wise to think about walking around on it.
Take a 2 minute drive south of here and you will find yourself at Pistol River. This spot is another amazing place to sail, that can produce some epic jumping conditions. The wave is a beach break and not clean like you will find at the Cape. But it is still a fun place to sail, other than jumping you can get some good backside hits and occasionaly find a good clean wave to go down the line on.
PLEASE READ: If you get to Gold Beach and theres no wind it still can be windy and absolutely firing just over the hill at pistol and the cape!!! A good reference forecast is available by clicking on "NWS Marine FX" under the "Other Resources" section on the left-hand side of this page. (Which takes you to):
http://www.iwindsurf.com/windandwhere.iws?regionID=122&Isection=Weather+Bulletin&weatherBulletinID=28
http://www.ikitesurf.com/windandwhere.iws?regionID=122&Isection=Weather+Bulletin&weatherBulletinID=28
If you see gold beach has good north wind all the way filled in the 20's expect to see wind at Pistol and the Cape at LEAST 10 mph more. These spots are known for their nuclear winds and boy does it blow sometimes! Not uncommon to see wind gusts near 50.
Hazards. Large waves when swell hits in the fall, winter, and spring.
Watch out for seals and the occasional large fish that eat them. (we all know what they are)
Have fun and Happy Sailing
|
 |
Local Expert?  Edit this Page!
Regional Directory
|
|
Shops,
Schools,
Clubs,
Events,
Food,
Lodging,
More,
|
|
 |
|
| Season: |
Best Bet: APRIL-OCT |
|
| Water: |
Usually around 50 degrees. Bring a wetsuit and you'll be fine. |
|
| Ability Level: |
intermediate to expert |
|
| Wetsuit: |
Usually best to have a 5/4 suit |
|
| Familiness: |
Great beaches to sail and to explore. |
|
| Parking: |
gravel |
|
| Launch: |
nice sandy beach |
|
|
 |
|
Maps & Directions
If you are heading south on 101 from gold beach there is a long flat beach you can't miss it, it's right along the highway. You can sail here but it's best to keep going to either Cape Sebastian or Pistol River. If you keep going about a 5 minute drive south from here you will go up a big hill and as you come down it you will see Cape Sebastian immediately on the right, pull over into the small gravel parking lot along the highway. Take a two minute drive south and you are at Pistol River you will see a large gravel parking lot on the right and a large rock sitting on the beach right near the ocean in front of you. If these two spots are too blown out and you don't have a 2.0 you might want to try going back and sailing at gold beach.
|
|
|
Sensor Notes
Data from this station is courtesy of MesoWest and other contributing organizations. If there is a lot of wind from the north at gold beach that usually means that Cape Sebastian and Pistol river are going to be absolutely nuking. Sometimes it can be too much to handle. On those days it might be a good idea to sail at the beach just south of the town. You can't miss it, it's a huge flat beach right along the highway.
|
|
|
