Surf Travel Guide: Long Beach, Washington

Long Beach, Washington sits on a 28 mile strip of sand on the Long Beach Peninsula, not to be confused with the far more famous Long Beach, California. Most visitors come here for razor clams, cranberry bogs and a kite flying festival that fills the sky every August, and most surfers drive straight past it on their way to Westport or the Oregon coast. That is exactly why it is worth a second look. The peninsula has a real, west facing beach break that works through the winter, and on most days you will have it to yourself.

Why Long Beach Peninsula?

This is an exposed beach break with both lefts and rights, built from an even mix of groundswell and windswell rolling in off the open Pacific. Surf guides rate it as reasonably consistent for a Washington beach break, which is a different claim than saying it is easy. The same guides also note that the surf here "never gets crowded," and that is close to the literal truth. On a weekday in winter you may not see another surfer for miles.

→ The classic setup is a west swell paired with a southeast wind, which blows offshore here and holds the faces up rather than tearing them apart.

↳ Smaller days, when most experienced surfers would call it too small to bother with, can still be a decent beginner or grom session, so check the forecast with realistic expectations rather than hoping for Oregon sized swell.

Getting There and Getting Around

The peninsula sits at the mouth of the Columbia River in southwest Washington, reached by car on US 101 or State Route 4. Allow roughly three hours of driving from Seattle. Portland, Oregon is closer, with routes via Highway 30 and the Astoria Megler Bridge or inland on SR 4, though exact drive times vary with the route and traffic.
→ There is no commercial airport on the peninsula itself, so most surfers fly into Portland or Seattle and drive the rest of the way.
↳ Beach driving is permitted at several marked access points along the peninsula, which makes it easy to scout the surf from the truck before paddling out, though camping on the sand itself is not allowed.

When to Surf

Winter is the season here, and January stands out as the strongest month, with clean and surfable conditions reported roughly over half the time, blown out conditions common on the other days, and only rare total flat spells. The water runs cold year round, typically in the high 50s Fahrenheit, so a spring or full wetsuit plus neoprene boots is standard kit rather than an option.

Safety notes: Dangerous rips are a recognized hazard on this stretch of coast, and the open, unpatrolled nature of the beach means there is no lifeguard to rely on. Surf with a buddy, check the tide and rip forecast before you go in, and do not treat the lack of crowds as a sign the water is any gentler. The same big Pacific tides that expose wide stretches of sand at low water can trap the unwary when they come back in, so keep track of time if you wander the beach between sets.

Surf Spots

Long Beach main break: A wide, open beach break running for miles in front of the town of Long Beach.
Water: Beach break, even mix of groundswell and windswell.
Level: Best for intermediate and experienced surfers given the rip risk, though small days can suit confident beginners.
Ocean Park: A few miles north of Long Beach, a quieter stretch with similar open beach conditions and even fewer people.
Water: Beach break.
Level: Intermediate and up.
Westport, further south: When the peninsula is blown out, many Washington surfers head to Westport, which has its own dedicated surf schools and a jetty setup. Read our full Westport, Washington surf guide if you need a backup plan.

No dedicated surf school currently operates on the Long Beach Peninsula itself, so this is largely a self sufficient trip. Bring your own board and a wetsuit rated for cold Pacific water, and lean on local surf shops down the coast if you need rentals or a refresher lesson before paddling out.

Photographing Long Beach Peninsula

An empty winter lineup against gray Pacific sky is a striking frame, and it is a shot that almost nobody else is taking here. If you catch a session on this stretch of coast, consider uploading it to Surf Snaps so the surfer can find their own wave later. If you were the one paddling out, search Surf Snaps by spot and date to see if anyone caught your session on camera.

Where to Stay

→ Most visitors base themselves in the town of Long Beach or the smaller village of Seaview just to the south, both a short walk from the sand.

Budget ($)

Snow Peak Campfield, Long Beach
A campground from the Japanese outdoor brand Snow Peak, with small cabins and an outdoor covered Ofuro soaking spa, a practical and characterful base for a surf trip.

Mid-Range ($$)

Shelburne Hotel, Seaview
A historic hotel building, famously moved across the street by horses in 1911, with a snug parlor that is a good place to wait out a storm between sessions.

Boutique ($$$)

Adrift Hotel, Long Beach
Minimalist, beach themed rooms a few steps from the sand, with a game room, free bike rentals and a soaking pool for post surf recovery.

Food and Drink

Rooftop Views: Pickled Fish Restaurant, atop the Adrift Hotel
→ Known for wood fired pizza topped with Dungeness crab, with a view over the dunes to the ocean.
Post Surf Breakfast: Seaview Biscuit Company, Seaview
→ Southern style biscuit sandwiches, a good reason to get up early for a dawn session.
Local Cider: Ilwaco Cider Company, Ilwaco
→ The peninsula's only cidery, with flavors that often include local cranberry, and a welcome for families.

FAQ: Surfing Long Beach Peninsula, Washington

Is Long Beach, Washington the same as Long Beach, California?

No. This guide covers Long Beach on Washington's Long Beach Peninsula, a 28 mile stretch of Pacific beach near the mouth of the Columbia River. It has a different, colder and far less crowded surf scene than its Southern California namesake.

What is the best time of year to surf Long Beach Peninsula?

Winter, with January generally rated the most consistent month for clean, surfable waves. The spot can work at other times of year too, but blown out days are common, so check a surf forecast before you travel.

Is Long Beach Peninsula good for beginner surfers?

Smaller days can suit confident beginners, but dangerous rips are a known hazard here and there is no dedicated surf school or lifeguard on the peninsula. Go with an experienced local or a buddy, and consider a lesson in Westport first if you are new to Pacific Northwest surf.

Is the Long Beach Kite Festival the same thing as kitesurfing?

No. The Washington State International Kite Festival, held most years in August and centered on Bolstad Beach Approach, is a stunt and display kite flying event on the sand, not kiteboarding on the water. It is a fun cultural side trip, but it is a different sport from the surfing this guide covers.

Where can I find photos of my Long Beach Peninsula session?

Search Surf Snaps by sport, place and date on the explore page to see if a photographer caught your session on this stretch of coast.

More Underrated Surf and Kitesurf Spots

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