The Ultimate Guide to Washington Surf - Surf Atlas (2024)

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. Key surf towns like Westport and La Push are the hubs, but we like it for the road trips and the empty bays bashed by PNW swell.

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 all year, no worries.

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 off 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.

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This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing on the West Coast and surfing in the USA

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 flight links to other places in the contiguous US, plus long-hauls to and from Asia and Europe.

Try using Kiwi to search flights – they have a unique algo that links together all airlines to get the best deal, not just the ones that use codeshares. It can turn up some great bargains.

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, probably!

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.

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…

• Day Beach House – A lovely self-catering rental with space for groups of up to 6, this is is a cracking family or friends’ escape right on the main beaches of Westport.
• 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.

Anyone thinking of piecing together a Washington surf roadie should be sure to use Booking.com’s map feature to pinpoint exactly where all your hotels are – it’s important that they’re within a short-ish drive of the coast, because this is one seriously HUGE state and distances can take a while to cover!

When to surf in Washington?

Washington gets surf all year round, but the general rule is that summer is best for groms and learners while the winter is best for more advanced surfers.

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 but any westerlies that come thorugh will be onshore and almost certainly ruin the whole thing.

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.