Washington surf is one for the adventurers. Heavy, pounding beach breaks are the name of the game, but some jetties do help shape those ceasless NW swells into something pretty good on occasion. Check it out…
An introduction to Washington surf
Surfing in Washington is wild, wild stuff. The coast here is one of the least developed in the USA. It compares more to the sounds of British Columbia or Alaska, because almost all of the main towns are inland – Seattle, most notably. But there’s all the consistency of swell you’d expect of a region that gets a whack of NW winter low pressures from Novemebr to March and plenty of W swell throughout the summer months, so there are rides to be had.
Leading the way is Westport. That’s now Washington’s surf capital and it gets a steady stream of people coming by for the right-hander points that peel of the jetty, or the more protected cove breaks just inside the rivermouth.
You can stay there if you wanna’ but a car will be a gift for surfers in the Evergreen State. You’ll be able to cruise the amazing roads south of the Olympic National Park between Ruby Beach and Ocean Shores, hunting for spots that hardly anyone knows about. Going north to Cape Flattery is harder but can be an amazing experience if you catch the swells right – think lonely surfs under great rock stacks and the forested massifs of the Olympics.
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
Washington surf at a glance
The good…
The bad…
What’s in this guide to Washington surf?
Where is Washington?
Washington State is located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It’s bordered by Oregon to the south, Idaho to the east, and the Canadian province of British Columbia to the north. To the west, Washington is bounded by the Pacific Ocean, providing it with a rugged and scenic coastline – that’s where you’re headed!
How to get to Washington?
Getting to the coastal parts of Washington State shouldn’t be too hard, mainly because Seattle is within driving distance.If you’re coming from outside the region, flying into one of Washington’s airports is likely the most efficient way. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the largest and offers many domestic and international flights. It’s also the best for getting to Westport and the main surf regions – you’ll need to hire a car.
If you’re traveling within the US, you can drive to Washington. Major interstates like I-5 and I-90 run through the state, connecting it to other parts of the country. Just expect pretty long distances from other West Coast cities – Washington is pretty remote compared to even Oregon.
Do I need to hire a car to surf in Washington?
Yea. WA is the West Coast’s most untapped surf region. You’ll be driving here unless you choose to base yourself in Westport and be done with it. To be honest, one of the main draws of a Washington surf trip is the fact that you’ll get to cruise seriously eye-watering shores beneath the Olympic Mountains looking for waves. Rent at Seattle airport. From there, it’s about 2.5 hours to the coast and the surf.
Washington surf spots
Let’s go north to south and run through all of the top surf spots in Washington.
Hobuck Beach
Hobuck Beach, located on the Makah Reservation in Washington State, offers surfing opportunities, particularly for beginners. The prime swell direction for surfing here is from the W to NW, with E or NE winds providing offshore conditions. Summer tends to bring smaller and more manageable waves, while winter swells are larger and more consistent. Low to mid-tide can present the best surf, and Hobuck’s shallow, sandy bottom makes it a more forgiving spot for those learning to surf or looking for a relaxed ride. You should know that this is the farthest beach break in Washington. It’s like 4.5 hours from Seattle through the Olympic Mountains.
Shi Shi Beach
Shi Shi beach is a stunner. Proper Olympic Mountains stuff, it spans out under the rock stacks that make the coastal part of this park so famous. The waves, sadly, aren’t all that great. They suffer a lot from wind exposure and overcharged swells in the NW range. You’re mainly looking at mush and whitewash, with super-strong currents that move crossshore to the south before ripping you out of the bay. Can be fun if you’re a strong paddler and want to be totally alone in nature. But that’s it really.
La Push
La Push is second only to Westport when it comes to the most famous surf towns in Washington State. To be honest, it’s very much second place, because the main draw is First Beach, an okay but hugely fickle urban beach that has pounding waves. In the summer and early autumn it can shape up well, though.
Check our complete guide to La Push surf right here
Ruby Beach
Overseen by the historic Destruction Island Lighthouse, built in 1889, Ruby Beach is a renowned location on the coast of Olympic National Park. While its views are stunning, with fog enveloping the redwoods and massive rocks emerging from the ocean, its waves are often disappointing – mostly mushy and prone to closeouts that can be rough on surfers. Occasionally, a decent N swell can create tolerable rights around Abbey Island rock, but for a superior surfing experience, it’s advisable to head to La Push’s First Beach instead.
Seabrook
Surfing at Seabrook presents challenges owing to its unpredictable conditions, with the optimal swell direction coming from the W to NW, primarily during winter. Experienced surfers may find the area lacking, as the water rarely maintains a consistent shape or size. However, Seabrook’s extensive sandy shoreline, replete with an abundance of whitewash and virtually devoid of rocks for nearly a mile, makes it an ideal spot for novices to practice in the mush.
Ocean Shores
Ocean Shores is distinguished by the main jetty break located at the extreme southern end of the beach, a spot capable taking some decent size. During a major autumn stormd with forecasts predicting 8 feet or more or more, there can be powerful sets at the breakwater, featuring extended lefts running into the black sanded beach.
Westport
Westport has moved to designate itself as the Pacific Northwest Surf City. We can see why. The town has one of the most consistent spots in the Seattle region, and it’s one of the most accessible places to get in from the Rainy City – it’s like two hours in total. It’s not quite the same as its namesake down in California. This Surf City is more about heavy beach pounders that flood into the main stretch of sand on any NW swell element. The ace up the sleeve are the protected jetty breaks that hide just in the river mouth, offering sheltered surf for all levels when the wind or the swell is up. If we were planning a Seattle surf trip, this would be our first port of call.
Long Beach
It’s very much a question of quantinty over quality at Long Beach. Named for the fact that this is one of the longest uninterrupted runs of sand in the USA, there’s nothing but mushy rollers the whole way along for much of the season. We wouldn’t discourage learners from dropping by to pop up on the white wash, but have company cos it can get rippy. In the winter, those beachies can turn into nasty closeouts.
Fort Canby
Despite its off-putting name, Cape Disappointment offers surprisingly consistent surf conditions, though the breaks may not be considered the best in the Americas. Fort Canby stands out as one of the prime spots in the area. It features two distinct sections: one exposed to the full force of the Pacific Ocean, and the other sheltered by the surrounding headlands and capes near Deadman’s Cove
Where to stay when surfing in Washington?
Coast hotels are plentiful in the more southern portions of Washington State – the bit that’s not in the Olympic National Park. Some are great options for surfers looking to hit one of the top spots mentioned above…
- Surf’s Up – The name says it all really. This is a family-friendly motel with rooms that are just about as close as it’s possible to be to the main beach in Westport and the jetty breaks that put it on the map. Interiors are modern, with a twist of New England ocean character. Lovely.
- Peaceful Retreat on 10 Acres Less Than 7 Miles to La Push – Families wanting to really escape the Rat Race should choose this incredible cabin in the Olympic woodlands. It’s 10 mins from La Push’s top surf beach but is a world away from civilization. It’s got timber decks and vintage interiors. Love it.
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 Washington?
The winter months (November to March) often bring the most consistent and powerful swells, generated by North Pacific storms, with W to NW directions offering optimal wave shape and size. These conditions often feature higher wave periods and are best suited for experienced surfers. Offshore winds from the E to NE can create cleaner, more defined wave faces during this time. Spring and Autumn are transitional periods with mixed swells, providing opportunities for all skill levels. Summer (June to September), while less consistent, brings smaller, mellower waves from S to SW swells, which can be ideal for beginners or those seeking less challenging surf.
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!
