All of the Seattle surf happens out on the western shores of northern Washington State. You’ll need a car, because the drive from city to break is 2.5 hours at a minimum.
An introduction to Seattle surf
Seattle is often seen as the gateway to the Pacific Northwest. Only, it’s not on the Pacific at all. The long, curling Puget Sound ensures that it’s sufficiently cut off from the open ocean, and the glacier-topped Olympic Mountains bar the way to boot.
Are we saying that Seattle isn’t a surf city? Kinda. But not totally. There is surf in the Seattle region, and it’s pretty darn epic – think slabby PNW beach breaks that crash and curl into the pine-studded bays of northwestern Washington and over rocky jetties that jut out from the sleepy fishing towns there. It’s just that you will have to be ready to drive a hefty way to get to those breaks – at least 2.5 hours from Seattle itself is the norm.
To be honest, if we were planning a surf trip to this rather unknown part of the USA when it comes to surf, we’d probably look to base ourselves closer to the coast. The designated surf center of Westport would be the obvious choice, where you can launch adventures going north and south.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing on the West Coast and surfing in the USA and surfing in Washington
Seattle surf at a glance
The good…
The bad…
What’s in this guide to Seattle surf?
Where is Seattle?
Seattle is located in the state of Washington in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It’s situated between Puget Sound, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean, and Lake Washington. Seattle is the largest city in both Washington State and the Pacific Northwest region of North America.
Surf wise, what you really gotta’ know is that the city itself is probably not going to be where you hit the water. There’s too much in the way between the town and the ocean – namely, the whole of the Olympic Mountain range. When we talk about surfing in Seattle what we really mean is surfing northern Washington State, but we’ll get to that later.
How to get to Seattle?
By air, jet into the huge Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Commonly known as Sea-Tac, it serves as the main airport for the city and Washington State. Most major airlines fly into Seattle, so you can book a flight from nearly anywhere in the world, providing you don’t mind some changeovers along the way.
If you’re driving, Seattle is accessible via several major highways, including I-5, which runs north-south along the West Coast of the U.S., and I-90, which runs east-west.
Amtrak operates several train routes that stop in Seattle, including the Coast Starlight and the Empire Builder. The King Street Station serves as the main hub for train travel in the city.
Do I need to hire a car to surf in Seattle?
100%
Sorry, but there’s no two ways about this one.
Seattle isn’t where you surf. The city is tucked away from the coast by the Puget Sound, so there’s hardly a whiff of swell in town limits. And Washington is no small state, so you’ll need to drive at least 2-3 hours to get to the nearest wave – which is in Westport or Ocean Shores.
Don’t worry – there’s loads of car hire options from both the city and Seattle Tacoma, with rentals suited to people with plenty of luggage or boards. Check it below…
Seattle surf spots
All of Seattle’s surf happens out on the exposed western shores of Washington. That’s at least 2.5 hours’ drive from the city itself. The reward? Some of the USA’s most untrodden breaks and some seriously stunning sections of coast that are as wild as they come.
La Push
La Push is not in Seattle but located on the Washington coast near the Quileute Reservation. It is a well-known surfing destination. Prime surfing conditions occur with a swell direction from the WNW to W, and wind direction from the E. When those happen, you’ll be able to score some big slabs up on Rialto Beach, the north-facing bay in the town. The other option is First Beach, which faces more due south and is generally more protected; better for intermediates overall. Low to mid-tide offers the best surf.
Check our complete guide to La Push surf
Ruby Beach
Ruby Beach is located on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, not in Seattle. It is known for its rugged scenery rather than prime surf. That said, rideable sets to push through with a W to NW swell direction and an E wind. The spot is three hours’ drive from Seattle and the surf itself isn’t worth that on its own, but it’s okay if you’re dropping by as part of a WA surf roadie. The best breaks tend to cluster around the south side of that Abbey Island, but don’t paddle too far out cos the rips behind are heavy as heavy can be. Watch out for driftwood!
Seabrook
Surfing in Seabrook can be challenging due to inconsistent conditions. The prime swell direction for surfing is from the W to NW, which is common throughout the winter. More advanced surfers will say that there’s nothing to get stuck into here as the water never holds shape or size. But the long, sandy run of shore can prove perfect for beginners because it’s got an abundance of whitewash and hardly a rock to be seen for like a full mile.
Ocean Shores
Ocean Shores is all about the main jetty break at the very far southern end of the beach. The spot can handle some size. We cruised in during a big autumn storm and the forecast was showing 8 foot+. The breakwater had thumping A-frames with longer lefts that ran into the shallows and quick, nifty rights. Like much of the Seattle region, it’s ferocious stuff, but decent enough and with plenty of room.
Westport
Unlike its Californian namesake, this Surf City is known for its forceful beach pounders that hit the main stretch of sand on any NW swell. The secret advantage here is the protected jetty breaks near the river mouth, providing sheltered surf for surfers of all skill levels during windy or swell conditions. If organizing a surf trip from Seattle, Westport would likely be the top destination.
Long Beach
Long Beach Peninsula is a few hours’ drive southwest of Seattle. It’s one of the longest continuous beaches in the US, and that means peak after peak of sloppy A-frame fun to get stuck into on mid-sized swell and more gnarly, dumpy shoulders on bigger days . Prime conditions for surfing occur with swell directions from the W to SW and offshore winds from the E to NE. Winter brings more consistent swells, making it the best season for experienced surfers.
Fort Canby
Don’t be deterred by the name as you head down Cape Disappointment. There’s actually pretty fantastic consistency here, even if the breaks aren’t the finest in the Americas. Fort Canby is among the finest there, though. It’s got two areas – one exposed to the full hit of the Pacific, the other protected inside by the headlands and capes around Deadman’s Cove.
Where to stay when surfing in Seattle?
Sorry, but we’re not going to suggest hotels in Seattle itself. The city is simply too far from anywhere with surf to do that. You can easily find great hotels near the Space Needle or whatever by searching Booking. What we’ve got here are three top options along the Washington coast, all close to some of the best surf breaks in the region – most within 3 hours’ drive of the Rainy City.
- Surf’s Up – The moniker captures the essence perfectly. Located in Westport, this motel offers family-friendly accommodations mere steps away from the renowned main beach and the famous jetty breaks
- Sand Castle Beach Home – A great option for families who like the sound of being based in Westport, the region’s top surf town. This home has space for six people, a modern interior, and even a bubbling hot tub in the garden.
Step-by-step guide to planning your [yoast_kw] trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the [yoast_kw]…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step four: Enjoy!
When to surf in Seattle?
Seattle’s surf scene is mostly focused on the surrounding coastal areas of Washington State rather than the city itself. The best surf seasons vary based on desired conditions. Winter (November to March) is the prime season for advanced surfers, offering consistent swells from the W to NW, resulting in powerful and hollow waves. Storm-generated swells can create challenging conditions with a higher wave period, but the right offshore winds from the E to NE can clean up the lines.
Spring and Autumn provide transition seasons with mixed conditions, often offering mid-sized swells that are suitable for various skill levels. Summer (June to September) typically brings smaller and more mellow waves with S to SW swells, ideal for beginners and longboarders. That said, summer also proves the better option at key spots like La Push, which tend to closeout whenever it’s too large.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
