Damon Point
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Damon Point is a sheltered sandbar break inside Grays Harbor near Ocean Shores. Surf tends to be fairly consistent when the sandbar is shaped well, and the break is known for fast, steep waves that can deliver more powerful, barrel-like rides on the right day. Conditions are highly tide- and sand-dependent, so local timing and careful observation matter. For wind and wind-driven sports, the point is described with offshore-leaning northerly/northeasterly winds at times that help keep the water and waves in better shape. Wind reliability is described as moderate overall, with September singled out as a standout month for surf cleanliness. However, conditions can vary with wind direction and tidal state, and gusts are noted as moderate. Safety is a major constraint: multiple sources state that Damon Point has been closed to public access as of January 2025 due to dangerous changes in sand movement, along with strong currents. Reports also emphasize rip currents, driftwood, and strong tidal flows near the harbor entrance—especially around ebbing tide—so staying behind warning signs and following all site restrictions is critical. Even when access is possible, launch timing around low and mid-tide is recommended by locals, with careful attention to tide charts. Water temperatures are cold year-round, and sources strongly recommend a wetsuit system appropriate for Pacific Northwest conditions (including boots, gloves, and often a hood). The area is generally rarely crowded due to the walk-in access and sheltered harbor setting.
- Sheltered sandbar surfing inside Grays Harbor
- September highlighted as best month
- North/northeast offshore winds improve conditions
- Rarely crowded due to walk-in access
- Sheltered sandbar surf inside Grays Harbor with fast, steep waves
- Best conditions reported in September with offshore northerly/northeasterly winds
- Rarely crowded due to location and walk-in access
- Also used for wind sports (windsurfing/kitesurfing/wingfoiling), with varying conditions by tide and wind direction
- Access closure reported as of January 2025 due to dangerous sand movement and strong currents
- Rip currents / strong tidal currents can be dangerous, especially around tidal transitions and near the harbor entrance
- Cold water year-round; requires appropriate thermal protection
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NW
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE, NW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind described as frontal with northerly to northeasterly offshore flow; also reported as mixed directions depending on conditions.
- Reliability
- Moderate overall; surf cleanliness reported as ~34% in September.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Provider reports moderate gusting; September is noted as particularly favorable.
- Best Months
- September, April, May, June, July, August, October
- Shadow Zones
- Sheltered areas behind the spit dunes can help protect conditions from some wind directions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach and sandspit/sandbar conditions.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Surf described as fairly consistent; one provider calls it medium, while swell-driven conditions can reach head high to double overhead.
- Launch
- Medium — Launch is described as beach access requiring a walk; one source characterizes the approach as a long sandy spit.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Walk-in approach; one source also mentions the best break is reached after ~15 minutes walking from parking, and tidal currents can complicate launch.
Through the year
Rarely crowded year-round.
November through March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Used primarily as flat-water or bump-and-jump inside the harbor entrance; requires a long walk to the launch site.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Flat water to moderate chop depending on wind direction; described as a known Pacific Northwest windsurfing spot.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–7 m²
Increasingly popular for deep water channels and consistent wind; tidal currents can be challenging.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Reported foil-friendly with deep water channels.
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Sheltered sandbar beach break inside Grays Harbor with fast, steep waves that can offer deep barrels on the right day; conditions depend heavily on shifting sands and tide.
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides, Mid — Sources disagree: one notes all-tides, while another notes best at mid-tide; local advice emphasizes careful timing around low/mid tide due to currents.
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Protected inside Grays Harbor; used when open-ocean beaches are blown out or too large.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore wind from north/northeast is reported to produce best conditions; wind from other directions can affect the quality and comfort of the sandbar break.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up better than some nearby beach-breaks; gets good from head high to double overhead and is best during stronger storm-surge setups.
- Wave Quality
- Good — One source rates wave quality good; another rates it average.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Another provider rates power as moderate; storm-setup days are described as producing more significant results.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Other report describes mushy/buttery tendencies depending on conditions.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast-steep waves are reported; another provider describes slow peeling, likely reflecting day-to-day variation.
- Ride Length
- Short — One source describes quick-breaking sandbar waves; another describes breaking for up to 150 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 0–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Rides can break for up to about 150 meters; other descriptions call it quick-breaking with ride length varying with the day’s sandbar shape.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Damon Point in the full forecast view.
Damon Point wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–15 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- SSE165°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2515 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.9 m9s period
- Temperature
- 6–14 °C
Over the next 7 days, Damon Point is forecast for daytime winds of 2–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 0.7–1.9 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rip currents
- strong tidal currents near the harbor entrance
- driftwood logs
- shifting sands / sand movement causing underwater hazards
- dangerous currents during high tide and at ebbing tide
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated on-water rescue service at the point; regional monitoring/response is possible.
- Emergency Info
- No dedicated on-water rescue at the point; in an emergency dial 911. Nearest medical facilities are in Ocean Shores city center / Grays Harbor area.
Rules of the spot
As of January 2025, the point is closed to public access due to dangerous sand movement and strong currents. Stay behind marked warning signs; do not enter Damon Point.
- Public access closed as of January 2025 due to dangerous sand movement and strong currents.
- Access is walk-in only; no motorized vehicles on the point.
- Head out around low and mid-tide, but watch the tide charts closely due to fast/strong currents near the harbor entrance.
- Watch out for driftwood and rip currents.
- If waves are too big elsewhere, this sheltered sandbar setup is used when conditions are manageable.
- Choose days with at least moderate swell (one source calls out best conditions with swell of five feet or more).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ocean Shores
- Nearest Town
- Ocean Shores
- Parking
- Parking along Discovery Ave SE at the southeastern end of Ocean Shores; a sandy pull-off near an access path is marked with signs and restrooms. Park only in designated areas; adjacent land may be private.
- Public Transport
- Limited public transit
- Access
- Park in the day-use lot at Damon Point Park (end of Discovery Ave SE), then walk out to the beach; the best break is roughly a 15-minute walk south along the shore. As of January 2025, access is closed to the public due to dangerous sand movement and strong currents.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Ocean Shores has many hotels and vacation rentals.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and shops are available in Ocean Shores a short drive from the trailhead.
- Equipment Rental:
- Specialized wind-sports gear rental is described as primarily provided by mobile schools rather than dedicated on-site shops.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Ocean Shores is a Pacific Northwest beach town known for wide sandy beaches, coastal wildlife, and relaxed coastal activities.
Beach walking, kite flying, fishing from the jetty, and wildlife viewing.
A protected wildlife area with birdwatching trails and launch access for wind sports.
A museum dedicated to the natural and social history of the Washington coast.
Popular local activity during regulated seasonal digs along the Ocean Shores peninsula.
Seafood and other casual dining along the main strip and beachfront.
Wide sandy beaches for families, plus playgrounds and seasonal events.
Mini-golf and arcade games for all ages.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Damon Point?
The best overall months at Damon Point are September, October, August. The best wind months are September, April, May, June, July, August, October.
Which wind directions work at Damon Point?
Damon Point works with N, NNE, NW winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE, NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Damon Point?
Recommended equipment sizes at Damon Point: Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Damon Point suitable for?
Damon Point suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.