Damon Point / Washington / United States

One for experienced surfers this, it comes into its own when everywhere else on this coast is too wild to surf.  Decent fast waves roll in with predictable timing and it’s a gem of a place if you have the experience to ride it.

The beach is a sandy strip of land at the south end of the peninsula.  You’re on the edge of the Oyhut Wildlife Recreation, so it’s a pretty pristine area and you should keep it that way.  Wear a wetsuit even if you are here in summer, air temperatures won’t be much more than about 16-18c even then.   It is a quiet spot even when firing, as most surfer just head to Westport instead.

The best winds blow in here from the southwest or south, and they tend to push the swell along which is good from the west or southwest.  You get the waves starting at about 1m and building up to around 3m at most, and it works on all tide positions and on both rising and falling tides, so your timing for getting out here doesn’t have to be as tight as it needs to be for some other places.  The waves break both right and left on a sandbar, and they are hollow, fast and more powerful than you have any right to expect for their size – broken boards are common sights here. 

Ocean Shores is a decent little town and has plenty of choice when it comes to accommodation, restaurants and entertainment, though it isn’t especially cheap.  The beach doesn’t have any facilities, but parking is available in a lot about 15 minutes walk from the most southerly point.

The speed and power of the waves means they can easily catch out the unwary, and they will break boards and pound surfers who aren’t ready.  Sea lions also live in the sanctuary, so you might want to keep your distance from them.