Surf trips in Washington
Cold-water beach breaks and hidden point waves, best October through March with consistent Pacific groundswell.
Washington's surf is scattered across a rugged Pacific coastline and sheltered bays, anchored by fickle beachbreaks and rare point-break jewels that reward patience and local knowledge.
Fall and winter bring the best action, roughly October through March, when SW and NW groundswell stacks up and easterly winds groom the breaks clean. Summer offers smaller, playful waves and warmer water, but most spots turn choppy and inconsistent.
You'll share lineups with few surfers outside holiday weekends, and skill ranges from beginner-friendly sandbars to advanced ledges. Base yourself in Westport or the Long Beach Peninsula for easiest access to multiple breaks, but expect a 2-3 hour drive from Seattle and cold water year-round.
Honest caveat: Washington's swell window is narrow and fickle. Many trips deliver waist-high beach noise, not showcase waves.
Find a wave, then pick a bed
8 spots and 0 camps in Washington.
When Washington fires
Washington, the long version
Logistics
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the main entry point, roughly 2.5 hours by car from Westport and 2 hours from Long Beach Peninsula. Rent a car if you want flexibility. The coast is strung out and spotty.
Highway 101 hugs the coast west of Olympia and connects most breaks within an hour's drive of each other. Fuel up in Westport or Longview before heading to outer breaks like La Push or Cape Flattery. Cell service is spotty inland and near the coast, so download maps offline.
Accommodation ranges from basic motels in Westport to cabins and vacation rentals on the Peninsula. Surf shops exist in Westport and Bellingham, but stock is thin. Bring spare boards and repair supplies.
Internet is reliable in towns but unreliable near breaks.
Lineup Etiquette
Washington's lineups are low-key and rarely crowded, but respect is still earned. Most breaks are mellow and share-friendly outside holidays. La Push and Damon Point see occasional local density on rare good swells, and locals do notice transients.
Don't drop in, don't snake sets, and greet others in the lineup. The unspoken rule: if only three surfers are out, paddle wide and let the locals claim priority. Fort Ebey is marginal and rarely crowded, but it's technical enough that inexperienced surfers dropping in on a ledge will draw instant heat.
Ask locals before paddling out at any point break. Most beach-break crowds are so thin that etiquette is almost moot, but arrogance on empty waves still gets noticed.
What to Pack
Bring a 5'8 - 6'2 fish or shortboard for waist to head-high peaks, plus a 6'0 - 6'6 funboard or soft-top for smaller days. Swell rarely exceeds 6ft on the exposed coast, so no need for a tow-in stick. A 4/3 or 5/4 wetsuit is essential October through April.
Water temps drop to 2-8°C. In summer (June-August), a 3/2 or springsuit works, but locals often suit up year-round for extended sessions. Reef booties protect against barnacles and sharp sand.
Bring a first-aid kit for minor cuts. High-SPF reef-safe sunscreen is critical. The reflection off sand burns fast.
A rash guard extends wetsuit life and reduces chafe. Waterproof bag for phone and keys. Spare leashes, wax, and a travel repair kit (solarez, sandpaper, tape).
When to Go
October through March is prime season. October and November see cleaner conditions and moderate crowds. December and January get heavy on weekends but offer consistent swell.
February and March can be quieter again and still reliable. April through June is a crapshoot: swell drops, winds turn onshore, and water is still cold. July and August are warm and playful but fickle.
Expect lots of flat days. September can spring back to life as late-summer swells push through. I'd target a mid-week trip in November or February to avoid weekend traffic and ski-school break surges.
Winter days are short (sunrise around 7:30am, sunset by 4:30pm), so plan early sessions. Avoid July Fourth and Thanksgiving weeks unless you're chasing crowds.
Where to Eat Post-Surf
Westport's main strip has basic diners and fish-and-chips joints. Sanctuary Restaurant and Lounge serves decent seafood within walking distance of Half Moon Bay.
In Long Beach Peninsula, The Shelburne is upscale but worth it for fresh salmon and oysters. Klipsan Beach Cozy Cabin area has a small general store and food trucks on weekends.
Bellingham, 90 minutes north, has better options if you're willing to drive: The Boundary Bay Brewery is solid for post-session IPA and burgers. Most beach towns close early, so eat before dark.
Hidden Alternatives
When Westport and Long Beach get blown out or chopped, drive to Damon Point inside Grays Harbor. It's less than 30 minutes from Westport and often glassy when the open coast is chaos. Fort Ebey on Whidbey Island is marginal but stunning in solitude.
It only works on solid swells and requires local knowledge to read the tide window. Crescent Beach and Seabrook Beach are underrun alternatives when the main lineup maxes out. None of these are secret, but they're rarely crowded because they're harder to access or unpredictable.
Rialto Beach near La Push and Shi Shi Beach in the northwestern corner are exposed and wild, best for adventurous surfers willing to bushwhack and risk isolation.
The questions we get asked most
Yes, but conditionally. Long Beach Peninsula and Ocean Shores are beginner-friendly on smaller swells. Water is cold year-round, so comfort in a wetsuit matters. Many spots require reading sandbars and shifting peaks. Expect frequent flat spells and messy beach break sections.
Holiday weekends (Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break) and sunny weekends in summer draw casual surfers. Even then, lineups rarely exceed 10-15 people. Weekday sessions are almost always empty.
Absolutely. Water is 2-8°C October-April and 12-15°C in summer. A 5/4 or 4/3 is essential most of the year. Even in August, locals wear 3/2 to extend sessions beyond 30 minutes. Reef booties also protect against barnacles.