Surf Travel Guide: Westport, Washington

Think Washington is only coffee, rain and the Space Needle? Westport, a fishing town on the state's Pacific coast, has quietly built one of the best cold-water surf scenes in the Pacific Northwest. If you have been searching for surfing in Washington State, the best surf spots near Seattle, or an underrated West Coast trip with jetty waves and room to breathe, this Westport surf travel guide has what you need.

Why Westport?

Westport sits at the mouth of Grays Harbor, about two and a half hours from Seattle. Its long jetty and the finger jetties known as the groins shape sandbars along a wide, sandy shoreline, and Westhaven State Park gives you direct access to the surf with restrooms and showers. It is cold and it is quiet, with a tight local scene, surf schools that run in the summer and a working fishing harbor a few blocks from the beach.

→ Big swells arrive in fall and winter, while summer brings gentler waves for learners.

↳ The jetties shape the sandbars, so what you get depends on the swell and wind, and each break changes with them.

Getting There & Getting Around

Westport is a straightforward drive from the Seattle area, and you will want a car once you arrive.

Fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), roughly a 2.5 hour drive from Westport.
→ Parking for Westhaven State Park and the main jetty break is off Jetty Haul Road and requires a Washington State Discovery Pass.
↳ The town is compact, with the marina, motels and restaurants within a few minutes of each other, but the breaks are spread out, so drive between them.

When to Surf

Fall and winter bring the biggest swells, and local surf apps list September through February as the peak window. Surf-Forecast reports October as the cleanest month at The Corner and March at The Cove. Summer is the beginner season, with smaller waves and the warmest water at around 55°F (13°C), while fall and winter water sits at roughly 45 to 50°F (7 to 10°C). Wear a 4/3 wetsuit in summer and a hooded 5/4 or 6/5 with booties and gloves in winter. After heavy rain, stay out of the water for about 72 hours, because runoff can affect water quality.

Surf Breaks

The Jetty (Westhaven State Park): The town's main break, a sandbar next to the south jetty that draws a crowd when it is on.
Wave: Sandbar peaks that vary with the swell.
Level: Beginner to intermediate on smaller days.
The Groins: Peaks around the finger jetties at the harbor mouth, right across from the Saltwater Inn, with lefts and rights.
Wave: Punchy, with strong rip currents.
Level: Upper-intermediate to advanced.
Half Moon Bay (The Cove): A crescent of sand tucked inside the harbor entrance that becomes invaluable on huge south-wind days in winter.
Wave: Shallow, flat-bottomed, hollow and fast for a section or two.
Level: Advanced.
Westport Light State Park: About a mile south, a dune-backed beach with a steeper drop-off and more wind.
Wave: Sandbars, closeouts and more exposure.
Level: Intermediate.

Group surf lessons in Westport typically run about $55 to $85 per person, and private lessons about $80 to $150 per hour, including a board and a heavy cold-water wetsuit. Schools operate mainly from June to September.

Where to Stay (Hotels)

→ Westport has many small motels within a short drive of the breaks. Rates are typical prices seen in 2026 and rise in summer.

Budget ($)

Saltwater Inn (about $100 USD per night)
A simple motel directly across from The Groins with free Wi-Fi and parking, and highly rated by guests.

Mid-Range ($$)

Silver Sands Motel ($90 to $130 USD per night)
A renovated 1969 motel with keyless self check-in, a coffee area, a patio with a fire table and free parking, about a mile and a half from downtown.

Cottages ($$$)

Westport Marina Cottages (about $160 USD per night)
Pet-friendly cottages near the marina, a good base for a group or a longer stay with kitchen space for wet gear.

Food & Drink

Local Lunch: Bennett's Fish Shack
→ An award-winning seafood shack known for its clam chowder, beer-battered cod with clam strips and a prime rib dip. Order at the counter and grab a table.
Local Beer: Westport Brewing Co.
→ Pacific Northwest craft beer a short drive from the harbor. Bennett's also pours Northwest microbrews and wine.
Something Different: Aloha Alabama BBQ
→ Southern barbecue with Hawaiian flavors, including fresh tuna and crisp slaw.

Get Photos of Your Westport Session

Cold-water sessions are hard to document yourself, because your hands are busy staying warm. On Surf Snaps you can search photos by sport, place and date, find a photographer's gallery from your day at the jetty and buy the shots you like. Photos start from $8, and you can browse without an account.

Photographers: Turn a Jetty Session into Sales

Westport's jetty gives photographers a clean, elevated angle on the lineup. Upload your session to Surf Snaps and surfers can find their own shots by spot and date, without having to know your name. You keep the copyright. No subscription, no listing fee, no storage bill: Surf Snaps takes a 10% revenue share when a photo sells, and nothing before that. See the how it works page for the full walkthrough, or compare it with another rough-water guide in our Maui surf photography guide.

FAQ: Surfing in Westport, Washington

Can you surf in Washington State?

Yes. Westport, on the coast at the mouth of Grays Harbor, is the main surf hub, with a jetty break, the groins, Half Moon Bay and active surf schools in summer.

What is the best time to surf Westport?

Fall and winter bring the biggest swells, with September through February the peak window. Summer is best for beginners, with smaller waves and warmer water.

What wetsuit do I need in Westport?

A 4/3 in summer. From fall through spring, use a hooded 5/4 or 6/5 with booties and gloves.

How far is Westport from Seattle?

About 2.5 hours by car from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Is Westport good for beginners?

In summer, yes, when waves are smaller and lessons run. Beginners should avoid The Groins and Half Moon Bay, which are more powerful and have strong currents.

More Underrated Surf and Kitesurf Spots

Keep exploring with the rest of this series and our other surf travel guides.