About Westport Surf Travel
Button up your favorite flannel, grab a grande cup of coffee and strike out for the Washington coast. The closest surf zone to Seattle, Westport offers a relatively tame hit of surf-stoked in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest. Enticing a wide array of surfers from all walks of life, you’ll find everything from hipsters giving surfing a go for the first time, to competent surf school grads, to old, salty lifers. Given its proximity to the biggest city in the PNW does have its downfalls as crowds aren’t uncommon on bluebird, weekend days. The waves around Westport are also purported to be a little light when it comes to power. That’s not to say this area doesn’t have its days, it most certainly does, but like any surf spots this far north, nailing the conditions is key. Oh yeah, and don’t forget to bring all the rubber you got, the water seldom if ever climbs above the mid-50s here.
Westport/Olympic Peninsula:
North of the Long Beach Peninsula, sprawling woods and lowlands are punctured deeply by Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor, both surrounded by summertime beachbreak, damp sand dunes and depressed communities such as Moclips, Tokeland and Copalis Beach.
On the outer edge of Grays Harbor is Westport. It’s another depressing burg of the poverty-stricken Washington coast, home to more endless miles of beachbreak, heavy swell and onshore winds. Dreary, vacant streets with seemingly perpetual overcast. Fishing and charter boats stuffed into the marina, large American trucks bumper stickered with “Supported By Fishing Dollars.” Beach access south of town is found at Midway Beach Road, Cranberry Beach Road, Grayland Beach Road, Bonge Avenue and Schafer Road.
About a mile south of the South Jetty is Westport Light State Park, another duned beach but with a steeper drop-off than of that found at the jetty. More funky sandbars, more closeouts, more wind. The two principal surf spots in this area are the South Jetty — another standard jetty break that gets very good on occasion — and Half Moon Bay, on the other side of the jetty, tucked into the harbor entrance. It’s a crescent of white sand, driftwood and a Coast Guard watchtower surrounded by dunes to the south and jetties and the Westport marina to the north. It’s not a real scenic spot, but one that proves mighty invaluable during the huge, south-wind days/weeks of winter. It’s a shallow, flat-bottomed beachbreak that’s hollow and fast for a section or two.
The north end is bigger but windier. Dumpy waves — no real length to them, but you can get shacked. Directly across the bay is Ocean Shores, home to another half-baked jetty setup. If you care to venture into an even more depressing area with even more beachbreak, embark onto Highway 109 out of Aberdeen. Lined with clear-cuts, the road first takes you into Ocean City, which offers a few temperamental sandbars at the end of Second Avenue. Then it’s on to not-so-lovely Copalis Beach, with beach access through Griffiths-Priday Ocean State Park, at the end of Benner Road. The Copalis River empties here, and, yes, it might get good during the early summer. Farther north is Roosevelt Beach Road before the sagging face of Pacific Beach comes into view. Here, you can hit the water by taking Homer Street to Analyde Gap Road or by sliding into Pacific Beach State Park, at the end of Second Street. Finally, up in tiny Moclips, the beach lies at the end of Second Street. Above Moclips, the 23 convoluted miles of the private Quinault Indian Reservation remain off-limits to surfing and the general public, and an only select few can brag of surf within its borders, namely at one excellent right-hand pointbreak.
Surf Hazards
Do orcas count? The Washington coast is renowned for its abundant sea life, including orcas—or Killer Whales. But don’t stress, to date, they haven’t tried to take a bite out of any surfers. The current is also something to consider here. Because of dramatic tide swings the water can get moving pretty swiftly. When the tide’s pushing it can be a challenge to paddle out. When the tide’s sucking out and there’s swell, who knows where you’ll end up. Finally, surfing in cold water is serious business. A proper wetsuit and all the other neoprene gear is not only recommended, it’s required if you want to jump in the water up here.
Surf Pollution
The waters around Westport are regularly sampled and tested for high bacteria levels. In 2016, the area met all water quality standards and was open for swimming and surfing all year long. Pollution after heavy rains is always a concern, especially near large urban areas, and it’s recommended avoiding going in the water for 72 hours.
Best Surf Seasons in Westport
1) Fall
(September-November) after Labor Day is the time to hit Westport. The crowds all go back to school and work, there’s considerable more parking and the beach is a lot less busy. And thanks to early action in the North Pacific, the waves can get pretty good while the conditions remain balmy and pleasant.
2) Winter
(December-February) it’s not going to be warm by any means, but it’s also not going to be too crowded. The winter means big storms with lots of weather in the Pacific Northwest, but when the conditions settle down a little and there’s still good energy in the water Westport can provide dependable, consistent surf.
3) Spring
(March-May) if you like bitter, biting wind, you’ll love springtime in the Pacific Northwest. The water temps plummet into the mid-40s, the swell train from the Gulf of Alaska slows down, and for the Washington surfer, they’re typically left waiting out the seasonal transition.
4) Summer
(June-August) peak tourist season can be kind of rough for local surfers. First, anybody that wants to get out of Seattle for the day is probably going to end up in Westport. Second, it takes a mighty south swell to get this far north, which leaves trace wind swell as the primary source of energy during the summer months.
Directions to Westport
Situated on the south side of the entrance to Grays Harbor, Westport sits on a peninsula. The closest airport is in Seattle, from there Westport is accessible by bus, train or car. It’s about a three-hour drive from Seattle.