Your Packing List For A Trip To The Washington Coast This Winter

Your Packing List For A Trip To The Washington Coast This Winter

Winter on the Washington Coast is not gentle. It’s dramatic. Moody. Occasionally rude.

And we love it for that.

If you’re heading to Westport between November and March, don’t pack like you’re going to “the beach.” You’re not going to sip rosé in linen pants. You’re going to dig razor clams in the rain. You’re going to hike into wind that might feel a tiny bit personal. You’re going to watch storms roll in like theater.

Here’s what you actually need.

1. Real Rain Gear. Not Cute Rain Gear.

Bring a waterproof jacket with a hood that tightens down like you mean it. Not “water resistant.” Waterproof. There’s a difference, and you’ll discover it immediately.

Rain pants? Yes. Especially if you’re razor clamming or planning long beach walks. Wet jeans are a mood-killer.

Rubber boots are your best friend out here. The beach isn’t just sand in winter. It’s puddles, rivulets, surprise tidewater, and that mysterious splash over the jetty that you didn’t see coming. 

You want to be snug and dry while the wind tries its best.

2. Layers. So Many Layers.

Start with a thermal base layer. Add fleece. Maybe wool. Top it with that waterproof shell. Because here’s the thing: you’ll be cold standing still, and then five minutes later you’ll be warm from hiking up a dune or hauling clam gear back to the car. Layers let you adjust without spiraling.

Also pack:

  • A beanie you don’t mind losing to the wind.

  • Gloves for early morning beach walks.

  • Extra socks. Always extra socks. (Cold feet make people grumpy. Don’t let that be you.)

3. Razor Clamming Gear 

If you’re digging for razor clams—and you should try it at least once—bring:

  • A clam gun or shovel

  • A small bucket or mesh bag

  • A headlamp for evening digs

  • Clothes you’re fine sacrificing to sand

Razor clamming is equal parts treasure hunt and mild cardio. You’ll stand there scanning the sand for little “shows” (those tiny dimples that mean a clam is under there), and when you see one, you move fast. It’s thrilling. Slightly chaotic. You will get sandy.

It’s totally worth it.

There are local Westport motels with kitchenettes you can cook in and on-site fish, crab, and clam cleaning stations. Look for the 🎣 symbol on the Experience Westport Accommodations page or simply ask when making your reservations! 

4. Stormwatching Essentials

Winter storms in Westport are dramatic in a way that makes you feel very alive. Watching the waves crest over the jetties from the Observation Tower reminds you of Mother Nature’s power as the wind and rain whips through your hair. Unless you’re wearing one of the aforementioned beanies, in which case you’re standing there smug and warm.

Things to pack:

  • Binoculars

  • A thermos with something hot

  • A blanket to keep in the car

  • A fully charged phone with a waterproof cover

All this being said, sometimes the best stormwatching happens from inside your car, heater running, windows fogging up, ocean doing its wild performance just beyond the glass. It’s cozy. Especially with a hot espresso in one hand.

5. Hiking-Adjacent Things

If you’re a hiker, there are forested trails near town where everything smells like cedar and salt and rain.

Bring:

  • Waterproof hiking shoes or boots

  • A small daypack

  • Water (yes, even when it’s cold)

  • Snacks. Always snacks.

Winter hiking out here feels quieter. Fewer people. More birds. More wind in the trees. It’s the kind of walk where you forget your inbox exists.

Even if you’re a newbie to hiking, there are easy hikes like Westport Light State Park with fantastic views of the water and paved trails.

6. Comfort Items You’ll Thank Yourself For

  • Lip balm 

  • Moisturizer

  • Sunglasses (yes, even in winter — sometimes the sun shows off)

  • A book for cozy evenings by the fire

  • Slippers

Because after you’ve tromped around all day, slightly damp and very satisfied, you’ll want to sit somewhere warm and read or play cards or stare out a window at the gray ocean doing beautiful gray ocean things.

Winter in Westport isn’t about perfection. It’s about contrast. Cold air. Hot chowder. Wild waves. Quiet mornings.

What You Don’t Need

You don’t need fancy outfits. You don’t need a perfect forecast. You don’t need to plan every minute.

Pack for weather. Pack for movement. Pack for getting a little messy.

And then let the coast do what it does.

If you’re thinking about coming to Westport to enjoy the wonder of quiet beaches, visit our accommodations page to find the ideal spot to hang your beanie. 

City of WestportComment