Short Beach

Short Sands is a sandy beach break within a protected cove that produces both left and right-hand waves depending on sandbar configuration and swell angle. The sand bottom keeps wipeouts forgiving. Southwest swell with offshore easterly winds produces the cleanest conditions; October and November offer the best setup when sandbars are properly groomed. The cove's basalt headlands shield it from strong coastal winds that typically batter more exposed sections of the Oregon coast, making it reliably rideable year-round, though summer crowds are heavy and winter storms can push it too large for most surfers.

The break is most recognized as one of Oregon's most beginner-friendly destinations, accessible via a short forest trail from the Oswald West State Park parking area. Water temperatures stay in the low 50s Fahrenheit most of the year, and dangerous rip currents are a known hazard that requires caution and local knowledge.