Perched on a peninsula
Sitting on the southern peninsula which protects Grays Harbor, Westport has one of the biggest marinas on the northwest Pacific coast and a large fishing community. You won't be disappointed when you stay in a Westport vacation rental with the family, with access to swathes of nearby sandy beaches, sports fishing trips, water sports opportunities and fabulous views over the ocean. It'll come as no surprise that seafood dominates most of the restaurant's menus, and having been brought in by the local fishermen, it's some of the freshest in this part of the country.
Maritime attractions in Westport
The maritime theme continues with Westport's attractions. At the small aquarium near the dock area, you can discover many of the species that inhabit the waters around the town. Afterwards, visit the Grays Harbor Lighthouse which has been keeping ships safe for decades, as well as the Maritime Museum which houses a beautiful old lighthouse lens and ocean-faring artifacts. Just upstream of the Elk River Bridge, you can visit what's left of an old whaling station and if it's low tide, you can see the vast oyster beds nearby.
It's all about the ocean
When you stay in a Westport vacation rental, you've got the whole ocean, bay and shoreline to discover. Visit at the right time, and you can head out on daily charters to see magnificent fluking whales or cast your line into the ocean or rivers to catch trout and sturgeon. If you're PADI certified, you can don your flippers and mask to explore the rich marine life. If not, take the kids down for a fun day on the beach digging for razor clams and crabs and take them back to cook up a fishy feast.
Seasonal weather in Westport
Travelers enjoy Westport for its boating. If you're planning a vacation around the weather, August, July, September and June are the hottest months to visit, when temperatures average 62°F.
Elusive coyotes and sneaky minks
Just a few miles from your Westport vacation rental, around South Bay, lies the Johns River Wildlife Area, a 6,700-acre estuary and wetland park which provides a habitat for a long list of wildlife species. A hike through the park will almost always reveal herds of Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer and plenty of avifauna. If you're lucky, you may even spot a solitary black bear or an elusive coyote or bobcat. At dusk, hawks can be spotted circling above the open grasslands, and minks often sneak along the river banks in search of prey.
Transportation to and around Westport
Fly into Hoquiam, WA (HQM-Bowerman), the closest airport, located 9.9 mi (15.9 km) from the city center.