Do it for the ‘gram: The most photogenic spots in Westport
Take home beautiful memories: some of the most photogenic spots in Westport
These days, we’re all keeping our best memories in our pockets or our purses; all the best things we’ve done and the most beautiful things we’ve seen seem to be on our phones. And the best of the best often land on our Instagram and Facebook feeds.
Getting great shots in Westport isn’t hard to do—there are gorgeous, interesting, and sometimes even show-stopping shots to be found all around town. Here are just a few ideas to take your Westport memories to the next level.
Spot #1: The Observation Tower
The name says it all. Taking your sunset or surf shot from the top of the Observation Tower gives you the best vantage point to catch all the action. Located at the end of Westhaven Drive right in front of the jetties, just make your way up the stairs at sunset and let the magic happen.
Not a summer tip, but the Observation Tower is also the prime spot to catch King Tide shots safely. Wear your boots—the parking lot and street in front tends to flood! Check out the Washington Sea Grant King Tides calendar for Grays Harbor County to get the 2026/2027 dates in November-March.
Spot #2: The Dunes at Westhaven Beach
This is another great sunset spot. Try shooting from a little lower so you can catch the sea grass in the foreground, and vary your lens to capture the best shot depending on the situation. Use your wide-angle or “Ultra Wide” lens (often marked .5x) to capture sweeping landscapes and the full expanse of the sky, dunes and ocean. Zoom in with the main lens or one of the zoom lenses (like 2x) if you’re focusing on something closer and want the sunset blurrier in the background.
Westhaven Beach near the jetty is also a good place to photograph surfers. (Insider tip: Westport is a fantastic surf town, but no one who surfs here wants anyone to know that, so…ssshhhhh.)
Spot #3: The marina
The Westport Marina is Washington State’s top commercial seafood landing port and ranks among the top 10 seafood ports in the U.S. by volume. On any given day, you can see hundreds of vessels coming in and out of the port, from recreational fishing boats, to charters, to commercial fishing vessels. This offers the opportunity to capture some beautiful boats in pictures or videos. While you’re there, check out the Fresh Catch board to see where you can buy fresh fish straight from the boat!
The marina is also a great backdrop for your family shots. It offers beautiful, natural light, a lot of dynamic visual variety, cool architectural lines, and nautical elements that make for awesome and unique vacation shots.
There’s definitely a plethora of feathered friends willing to pose for you at the marina as well.
And while you’re there, don’t forget to stop and shoot the flowers across the street!
Spot #4: The Grays Harbor Lighthouse
At 107 feet, it’s officially the tallest lighthouse in the state of Washington, and the views from the top cannot be beat if you’re willing to climb the 135 steps to get up there.
Even better, the sights you’ll see on the way up and down the stairs are almost as cool as the sweeping coastal views. You’ll also want to check out the HUGE original Fresnel lens at the top that works like a gorgeous giant prism to catch the sun’s rays.
These are examples of capturing those unexpected shots that might not be as classically beautiful as a landscape but still grab people’s attention.
Spot #5: Almost anywhere you are!
The best thing about Westport for photographers is that you can find an interesting shot just about anywhere you go in town.
Some tips for finding great shots in any beach town:
Think about skipping the busy marina and downtown area and focus on the cool contrast between maritime life and the natural elements. Capture local character by seeking out peeling boat paint, weathered coastal architecture, early-morning fisherman, and the abstract patterns of shadows cast by piers or dunes.
Focus on the details: Instead of sweeping landscapes, zoom in on the textures and colors you see around you. Photograph rusted anchors, intricate fishing nets, sun-bleached driftwood, or the abstract patterns left in the sand by the receding tide.
Get high or go low: Shoot from a worm’s-eye view to catch beach grass, shells, or glass floats from different angles.
Play with architecture, color and light: Maybe there’s a table at your favorite bar that’s the most beautiful shade of bright turquoise. Maybe that same bar looks even cooler in black and white with the late-afternoon sunlight pouring in.
Maybe you take advantage of a sunny afternoon and walk behind your hotel to find a splash of beautiful yellow flowers.
The key to catching original shots that will stand out and be frameable is to approach your photography from a literal different angle. Embrace Blue Hour, which is just after sunset, when the light creates dramatic, moody colors you can’t get mid-day. Don’t just stand there and shoot, crouch down low to emphasize a foreground object or figure out how to frame your shot using natural geometry like a storefront window or alleyway. And always try to find the unseen angles that no one else is shooting. Don’t shoot a local landmark head-on, shoot its reflection in a puddle, or shoot it through a window. Find your own way into the shots, and they’ll be distinctively yours.
Hoping to capture some more vivid memories in Westport? Check out the accommodations page on our website to book your summer photography getaway.