11 Reasons to Visit Westport, WA in 2022
Westport, Washington, is a cozy little beach town located at the mouth of Grays Harbor on the Washington Coast. Once known as the "Salmon Capital of the World," Westport still has a thriving commercial and recreational fishing industry and is popular for its surf breaks that offer up the most consistent surf in the PNW. If you love miles of empty beaches, seafood, fishing, storm watching, maritime history, and authenticity, you'll love Westport. Just over two hours southwest of Seattle Tacoma International Airport, Westport is a destination you won't want to miss on your next trip to the PNW.
11 Reasons to Visit Westport, WA in 2022
1 - Authentic
There's something to be said for authenticity, and Westport serves up its fair share. There are no pretenses here. Westport is, at its core, a fishing town. From the working marina to the locally-owned restaurants and shops, you'll love the realness of this little town and its friendly locals.
2 - Seafood
If you love seafood, you've found the right place. Catch it yourself, eat at one of our local restaurants, or buy directly from our fishermen or local seafood markets to cook at home. It doesn't get much fresher, and you can feel good knowing you are eating minimally handled, fresh, ethically-sourced seafood.
3 - Accommodations
Westport offers accommodations to suit every budget and lifestyle. You'll find campgrounds, hostels, yurts, hotels, motels, marina cottages, oceanfront condos, and houses. Many of the hotels and campgrounds offer great amenities for the entire family, including pools for the kids and fish cleaning stations so that you can prepare your catch.
4 - Surfing
When you think of surfing, the Washington Coast is probably not the first place that comes to mind. However, surfers have been braving the cold waters in Westport for years, and the jetty at Westhaven State Park creates a consistent surf break year-round. Westhaven offers a shallow sand bottom break, making it an excellent spot for beginners. We recommend beginners take a lesson from one of our local surf schools. Don't have your own gear? No problem, visit one of Westport's surf shops for surfboard and wetsuit rentals.
5 - Affordable
Westport is an affordable destination for travelers. You'll find accommodations and restaurants available at varying budgets. Our fishing charters are a great value and not only fun, but you can fill your freezer with delicious PNW seafood. In addition to charter fishing, you can get a fishing license and hit the beach, jetty, or marina to catch Dungeness Crab, Razor Clams, Surf Perch, and even bottom fish from the jetty.
6 - Beaches
There is no shortage of beaches in Westport. In fact, there are 18 miles of sandy beaches in the area, making it possible to easily find your own piece of paradise. Beachcombers come from far and wide to find treasures that have traveled across the Pacific Ocean. Japanese glass floats, agates, sand dollars, shells, and marine debris will keep you on the hunt as you walk the gorgeous coastline.
7 - Fishing
People come to Westport from around the globe to experience world-class fishing. The seasoned crews of the Westport charter fleet guide people to fantastic fishing experiences, including Salmon, Halibut, Rockfish & Ling Cod, and Albacore Tuna.
8 - Maritime Heritage
Westport is steeped in maritime history and has been designated as an official Coast Guard City USA. On your visit to Westport, visit the Westport Maritime Museum, which showcases exhibits on the maritime history of the South Beach. You won't want to miss one of the most spectacular exhibits at the museum, a working first-order Fresnel lighthouse lens from the Destruction Island Lighthouse, located 57 miles north of Westport.
Westport is also home to the Grays Harbor Lighthouse. At 107 feet tall, the Grays Harbor Lighthouse is the tallest in Washington State. The Westport South Beach Historical Society offers tours of the lighthouse. You can climb the 135 steps leading up to the lantern room while learning about the lighthouse's history and taking in a 360° view of Westport and the Pacific Ocean.
9 - Support Local
One of our favorite things about Westport is the community. This is truly a community of family-owned and operated businesses. Many businesses have been in the family for generations and will continue to be passed down to the next. You can feel good knowing that your tourism dollars support this small community and positively impact the lives of the people who live here.
10 - Storm Watching
Some people call fall and winter off-season on the coast, but this is when the mighty Pacific truly turns on! Storm watching on the Washington Coast will awaken all of your senses.
There's nothing like standing on the top of the Observation Tower of the Westport Marina during the high tide of our winter King Tides. The waves hit the break wall, sending seawater high into the air. The ocean's roar is heard and felt as it reverberates through your body and kisses your face with salty ocean spray.
11 - It's closer than you think!
Fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and take the easy drive to the coast. Westport, WA, is located approximately two hours southwest of SeaTac.