Westport’s waves get bigger every fall, and you don’t need a board to catch the show
Westport is a different town once summer ends. The waves get bigger, the beach empties out, and the whole place feels like it belongs to the people who actually love the ocean. You don’t have to surf to enjoy it, but you might leave wanting to.
Surfing here happens all year, but the fall and winter swells are where it gets serious, with waves that can reach 15 feet. October and November in particular bring consistent swells, and the colder months mean smaller crowds. Here’s how to enjoy the show whether you’re paddling out or just watching.
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Watch from the sand at Westhaven State Park
Westhaven is the main surf beach in town, and it comes with beach parking, restrooms, showers, and picnic areas. Plan on a Discover Pass for parking. The jetty here draws beginners and experienced surfers alike, which means there’s always someone to watch.
The best seat in the house is a beach chair, a thermos, and zero plans. Bundle up, because the wind off the Pacific doesn’t care what the forecast says.
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Climb the tower for big-wave views
The observation tower at Westport Marina is the place to be when the tide runs high. Waves crash over the breakwater, and the covered platform keeps you mostly dry, though you can still get sprayed and windblown. The big waves tend to roll in during November, December, and January, so this is a spot to save for the heart of winter too.
Want to try it? Start with a lesson
Westport is a gentle place to learn. The sandy bottom and the whitewater near shore make for a friendlier welcome to the sport than a rocky break would. Local surf shops rent boards and wetsuits, including youth sizes, and a lesson will teach you the terrain and the etiquette.
Don’t skip the wetsuit, because the Pacific Northwest water is cold. Rip currents are a real thing here, especially near the jetty, so read the visitors board at Westhaven and check NOAA tide and weather conditions before anyone gets in the water. A local surf shop is the right call for current advice.
Warm up with the rest of Westport
The Dunes Trail at Westport Light State Park is a 1-mile paved path with three viewpoints, and it’s wheelchair accessible. The park is also home to the Grays Harbor Lighthouse, built in 1898 and the tallest lighthouse in Washington. For more ideas, our guide to things to do in Westport covers the rest of town.
The Westport Maritime Museum sits in a former U.S. Coast Guard station and displays gray whale and minke whale skeletons. It’s a good rainy-day stop when the weather turns. Westport is also one stop on our list of Washington coast towns worth visiting.
Westport is about two and a half hours from Seattle by car, so this works as a long day trip or an easy overnight. Trip tips: grab a rental car to get out here, lock in your hotel before the good rooms are gone, or skip both and book a camper van instead.
Rules and fees change, so always confirm current requirements before you go.
So what’s your pick: a front-row seat on the sand or a ride on the waves? Tell us in the comments.
