Surf Travel Guide: Cannon Beach, Yakutat, Alaska

Most people picture Alaska as glaciers and salmon, not surf. But Yakutat, a fishing town on the Gulf of Alaska coast, sits beside a long, empty stretch of open-ocean beach that catches real Pacific swell and almost never sees a crowd. If you are searching for cold-water surf in the US, or a surf trip that feels more like an expedition than a holiday, this guide covers Cannon Beach and the breaks around Yakutat: the season, the swell, the gear, the bears and the logistics of getting there.

Why Yakutat?

Yakutat is a small borough in southeast Alaska, at the mouth of Yakutat Bay and about 212 miles northwest of Juneau. It had 662 residents at the 2020 census, and fishing is its biggest industry. Surf guides describe a mix of beach, point and reef breaks along the coast, with a dozen or more named waves. A 2010 local report counted about eight surfers on a busy day. One surf writer calls Cannon Beach a mushy beach break with peaks going left and right, so this is a trip for the experience and the solitude rather than for perfect barrels.

→ Waves light up on south to southwest swells from the Gulf of Alaska, and one surf guide lists north to east-northeast as the best offshore wind.

↳ Because the area is remote and the water is very cold, plan as if help is a long way off, and never paddle out without a plan.

Getting There & Getting Around

Yakutat is not on a highway, so most visitors arrive by air.

Fly into Yakutat Airport (YAK). Alaska Airlines serves it, with routes listed to and from Juneau and Seattle. Check the current schedule before you book, because flights are limited.
→ Rent a vehicle at the airport. Surf checks cover a lot of ground, and Cannon Beach is roughly 5 miles from town, with about 14 miles of beach to explore.
↳ An older local report warns that the single-lane dirt road around Cape Yakutat has deep water holes where rental cars get stuck, and that driving on the sand toward Point Carew can leave you stranded. Ask locals and your rental company what is safe right now.

Surf gear rental has been reported in town, about 4 miles from the airport, but stock is limited. Bring your own board and wetsuit if you can.

When to Surf

Sources disagree on the best window, so treat this as a range. Several guides point to August and September, with one adding October and November and another naming mid-April to mid-June as well. Summer is smaller but cleaner, with more offshore mornings. Winter storms bring big swell that one writer describes as usually too large and blown out to surf.

Water temperature is reported anywhere from about 8 to 13°C (46 to 55°F), and around 57°F in August. Plan on a hooded 5/4 to 6mm wetsuit, plus boots and gloves. Board choice matters too: a wide, thick board planes better in mushy surf.

Safety notes:

Brown bears live in the area and can walk the beach. Keep food sealed, camp clean and never surf or walk at dawn and dusk without bear awareness.
The tidal range is large. One local report mentions up to 20 feet between high and low, so check tide tables and plan your exit.
Watch for rips, floating logs and debris after storms, and shorter daylight in fall.
Do not surf alone, and tell someone in town where you are going.

Surf Breaks

Cannon Beach: The main beach break, with several peaks. Guides say sandbars shift with each winter, and that it works best around medium to high tide near rip channels.
Wave: Beach break, left and right peaks, often soft.
Level: Advanced or experienced, mainly because of the cold and the remote setting.
Point Carew: Named in a 2010 local report and reached by driving along the sand, which is where vehicles get stuck.
Wave: A point-style setup, so ask locals about the current sandbars.
Level: Advanced.
Other named breaks: The same report lists Snappers, Sandys, Boilers and Graveyards. Names and quality change as the sand moves, so treat them as starting points.
Wave: Mixed beach and reef.
Level: Intermediate to advanced.

Respect the community. The report notes that Ocean Cape belongs to the Yakutat Tlingit, and it suggests using Forest Service campgrounds instead. It also mentions that some seasonal workers guard the lineup, so be humble in the water.

Photographing Yakutat

Snow-capped mountains, cold green water and an almost empty beach make this one of the most dramatic backdrops in the US. A long lens from the sand, or a dry bag and housing if you are in the water, will capture it. If you shoot a session, upload it to Surf Snaps. Photographers there keep their copyright, there is no subscription, listing fee or storage bill, and Surf Snaps takes a revenue share of up to 10% only when a photo sells. If you were riding, search by sport, place and date. You can browse without an account, and photos start from $8.

Where to Stay (Hotels)

→ Yakutat has few beds, so book early. No prices are shown here, because rates change and I did not find current figures.

Budget ($)

Forest Service camp platforms and the Cannon Beach Pavilion
Camping right by the beach is the classic surf-trip option. The National Forest sets a two-week limit, per an older report, and you will need a full cold-weather camping kit and strict bear-safe food storage.

Mid-Range ($$)

Glacier Bear Lodge and Monti Bay Lodge & Resort
Lodge rooms in town, with Glacier Bear Lodge also running a restaurant. Both are listed as places to stay in Yakutat.

Luxury ($$$)

Leonard's Landing Lodge
A fishing lodge and the closest thing Yakutat has to a premium stay. Expect a lodge experience rather than a resort, and check rates and availability directly.

Food & Drink

Dinner: Glacier Bear Lodge restaurant
→ Convenient if you are staying in town, and a good place to ask about local conditions.
Drinks and dinner: Yakutat Lodge restaurant and bar
→ A lodge restaurant and bar in the middle of a fishing town, so seafood is the obvious thing to look for.
Supplies: Bring groceries and camp food
→ Costs run high and options are limited, so many visitors carry in what they can.

FAQ: Surfing Yakutat, Alaska

Can you surf in Alaska?

Yes. Yakutat, on the Gulf of Alaska coast, has beach, point and reef breaks that work on south to southwest swells, with very small crowds. It is cold, remote and best for experienced surfers.

When is the best time to surf Yakutat?

Late summer and early fall, roughly August and September, is the most commonly cited window. Winter swells are described as often too big and blown out, and sources differ on spring, so check local reports.

How do you get to Yakutat?

Most people fly on Alaska Airlines into Yakutat Airport, which is about 212 miles northwest of Juneau. Rent a vehicle at the airport, since the beaches are several miles from town.

What wetsuit do you need for Yakutat?

A hooded 5/4 to 6mm wetsuit, with boots and gloves. Water temperatures are reported between about 8 and 13°C, and hypothermia is a real risk.

Where can I find photos of my session?

Search Surf Snaps by sport, place and date on the explore page. It is free to browse, and photos start from $8.

More Underrated Surf and Kitesurf Spots

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