The Groins (Westport)

Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Swell
Spot Type
Busy
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

The Groins (Westport) is a sheltered beach/jetty surfing break at the Grays Harbor south jetty area, where the man-made rock structures help shape consistent surf. Sources describe predominantly left-hand waves, with some right peaks near the jetty rocks, and emphasize that conditions can change quickly around the jetty due to current and rip activity. Winter conditions are generally favored. January is specifically cited as the best month, with a report that surf quality is more often clean when winds are suitable, while blown-out conditions still occur. Low tide is consistently identified as best for the wave setup, and offshore winds from the south are described as improving the experience. Safety is a major consideration. Heavy rip currents can pull surfers toward the jetty or out to sea, and risks rise near the rocks and near-jetty currents. Additional concerns include rocks/submerged obstacles and water pollution—especially after heavy rainfall—so it’s important to be cautious with access points and water entry strategy. When planning a session, early morning is repeatedly noted as a time with more room, but the spot can still get quite busy when surf is up. Recommended cold-water gear includes a winter wetsuit plus hood, gloves, and boots, reflecting the consistently low water temperatures in the region.

  • Sheltered, jetty-influenced beach break with consistent wave production
  • Low tide is best
  • Offshore south winds help surf quality
  • Cold water—winter-grade wetsuit recommended
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboard
What's great
  • Sheltered, consistent beach/jetty break
  • Works best with offshore south winds and low tide
  • Reasonably consistent surf with a mix of left-hand waves and some right peaks near the jetties
Heads up
  • Strong rip currents are common, especially near the jetty structure
  • Rocks and possible submerged obstacles near the jetty
  • Water quality can be affected by pollution/heavy rainfall
  • Can get quite busy in the water when surf is up
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
S
Offshore directions
S
Reliability
36% blown out in January, 48% clean in January
Best Months
January

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell
Beach
Sand — Sand beach.
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Medium — Medium wave size is described generally, with the ability to handle larger swells.
Launch
Medium — Beach/jetty break area near man-made rock jetties at Grays Harbor; soft sandy beach extending south from the jetty.
Launch Difficulty
Moderate — Reported as easy by one source; moderate by another due to access/jetty conditions.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
7–17 °C
Water Temperature
4–20 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: 5/4mm + Boots, Gloves, Hood
Crowds by Season

Highly crowded on weekends and during summer months; quieter during mid-week winter days.

Storm/Rain Season

Late autumn through winter (November to March) is the peak rainy and storm season.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Sheltered beach/jetty break at the south jetty of Grays Harbor. Primarily left-hand waves with some right peaks near the man-made rock jetties; can handle larger swells but increases risk with strong currents near the rocks.

Beach break
Optimal Swell
W, WNW, SW
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
Low — Low tide is consistently cited as best; sources conflict on whether higher tides also work well.
Shelter
Semi-sheltered — Sheltered beach/jetty break with jetty protection from some prevailing winds.
Wind Effect
Best with offshore winds from the south; the jetty/shelter setup provides protection in certain wind directions.
Bigger Swell
Can hold significant size but becomes increasingly dangerous due to heavy currents near the rocks.
Wave Quality
Average — Described as average/good depending on conditions and wind cleanliness.
Wave Power
Powerful — Sources describe powerful waves, with some variability in quality.
Wave Shape
Peeling
Peel Speed
Medium — Peeling sections with medium peel speed reported.
Ride Length
Short — Short but punchy rides; 3 peaks visible near the jetty area.
Ride Length Details
Three visible peaks starting furthest north near the jetty; they shift but stay in the same general area.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for The Groins (Westport) in the full forecast view.

The Groins (Westport) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
3–14 ktsGusts 23 kts
Direction
S171°
Strongest day
Sun, Oct 2514 kts
Windy days
1/712 kts or more
Waves
0.7–1.9 m9s period
Temperature
6–14 °C

Over the next 7 days, The Groins (Westport) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 0.7–1.9 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
  • rocks
  • pollution
  • localism
  • submerged obstacles near the jetty
  • water pollution after heavy rainfall
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitHoodGlovesBoots

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
Seasonal
Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited for the area.
Localism / Vibe
Mild — Local mild localism reported; competition for the jetty-adjacent peaks can be fierce.

Rules of the spot

Be friendly and wait your turn; multiple peaks are available—respect insiders sitting near peaks. Heavy rip currents can be dangerous here, pulling surfers toward the jetty or out to sea.

Local Tips
  • Early morning is often best with plenty of room.
  • Survey from the bluff first.
  • Watch for the three peaks near the jetty.
  • Start inside in whitewater to practice pop-ups before moving outside.
  • Avoid the immediate vicinity of the jetty if you are not experienced managing strong rips.
  • Water quality can be an issue after heavy rains.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Westport
Nearest Town
Westport
Parking
Parking at Westhaven State Park (end of Jetty Haul Rd). Alternative parking on the north side of Neddie Rose Dr in Marina District; no view from car. Parking can fill up on good surf days.
Access
Parking for the jetty is at Westhaven State Park at the end of Jetty Haul Rd. Alternative approach via Marina District (drive through, keep right onto Neddie Rose Dr, park on north side; climb rock wall to access).
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Toilets
Picnic area
Accommodation
Nearby town — Multiple hotels and vacation rentals are available in Westport.
Food & Drink
Several restaurants and coffee shops are located within walking distance of the marina and beach.
Equipment Rental:
Equipment rental is available via local surf shops in town.
Gear Storage
On-site gear storage facilities are not standard; some seasonal/locker options may exist via shops.
Gear Repair
Yes
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at The Groins (Westport)?

The best overall months at The Groins (Westport) are January, February, March, April, November, December. The best wind months are January.

Which wind directions work at The Groins (Westport)?

The Groins (Westport) works with S winds. Offshore directions are S.

What skill level is The Groins (Westport) suitable for?

The Groins (Westport) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.