Is Westport Safe for Travel RIGHT NOW? (2024 Safety Rating)

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Westport, Washington, is the epitome of a Pacific Northwest fishing town.

It sits on the south side of the Chehalis River, where it dumps into Grays Harbor and connects with the Pacific Ocean.

The Indigenous Chehalis tribe lived in this area for time immemorial before the establishment of the hub for fishing and maritime activities in the early 1900s.

The town’s historical significance is highlighted by the iconic Grays Harbor Lighthouse, the tallest in the state, guiding mariners since 1898.

The city then became an important port of protection for the U.S.

Army after the Pearl Harbor attack.

When the tensions eased, the fishing industry still fed many soldiers in the region.

While fishing dominates the economy, tourism adds a healthy dose of financial infusions.

This is a top surfing spot on the Olympic Peninsula.

Visitors here also get the bonus of Grays Harbor nearby, with Ocean Shores just across the mouth of the bay.

Plus, you get a mix of museums, from maritime history to mermaids to underwater mammals.

Get your hands dirty searching for razor clams or take a sunset drive on the beach.

This combination of historical charm, maritime culture, and outdoor activities makes Westport a distinctive and inviting destination on the Washington coast.

Did I mention the sea lions that randomly hop up on the docks?

Warnings & Dangers in Westport

OVERALL RISK: LOW

The risk here is low, especially for crime and personal safety concerns. Plus, there’s a lot to do for families, couples, and solo travelers. We’ll discuss the few risks here as we go through this article.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Grays Harbor Transit is the county-wide public transportation system. Taxis and rideshares are also available. However, a rental car gives you the most flexibility to explore the coast.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Three pickpockets or purse snatchings have happened in the past five years. The risk is still low, but that’s a little higher than I’ve seen in other coastal Washington cities. It’s nothing to worry about, but also not something you should be cavalier about, considering how many people visit each year.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

The medium risk in Westport isn’t about the frequency of disasters but the potential for damage. Concerns include wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mudslides, and severe thunderstorms or tornadoes. Erosion due to climate change is an ongoing issue. Read the Hazard Mitigation Plan on the Grays Harbor County website for more details.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Robberies are rare here, much less muggings. In 2023, no robberies happened and 2022 only saw one. The risk is low. However, if you leave an unattended catch of fish, a sea lion might try to take them. Reports of tug-of-wars between sea lions and anglers are quite common.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

The risk is low on this remote peninsula, but it’s always important to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity. No community is immune to domestic terrorism or mass shootings. For an overview of terrorism risks nationwide, check the latest Homeland Security Terrorism Advisory Bulletin.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The police department and local sheriff’s office will post the latest scams on social media. Check the fraud section of each department’s website for more information and to learn about common tactics. Most of the scams I saw reported on the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office Facebook page were targeting locals, so the risk is low.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

The risk here is low, with the weather, tides, and water safety being the biggest concerns for everyone. Nothing in the crime data or recent headlines suggests women would have additional concerns.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1. The 2023 report for Westport showed one reporting violation, but otherwise, all standards were met or exceeded. We’ll go through the information on beach water quality a little later on.

Safest Places to Visit in Westport

The city’s website is experiencewestport.com.

It includes a list of the most popular beaches, museums, attractions, and amenities.

Go to visitgraysharbor.com to get a wider look at the county and towns within.

Several state parks are in or close to Westport.

Purchase a $10 day pass to get into all state public lands or $30 for an annual pass.

This will pay for itself just by visiting three parks.

Here are the nearest options:

Westhaven State Park
Twin Harbors State Park
Westport Light State Park
Bottle Beach State Park
Grayland Beach State Park

Standing as the tallest lighthouse in Washington, Grays Harbor Lighthouse is a must-visit.

Climb the 135 steps to the top for panoramic views of the coastline and the town.

The on-site museum provides interesting historical insights into the lighthouse’s past.

The Westport Maritime Museum, housed in a historic Coast Guard station, features exhibits on local maritime history, including shipwrecks, fishing, and the Coast Guard’s role in the region.

Go underwater at the Westport Aquarium, where you can also walk through the skeleton of a gray whale.

Watch out for the overeager seals that line the boardwalk here.

While you’re on that side of the island, climb the Westport Viewing Tower and then walk the Fisherman’s Pier.

You can also walk along Half Moon Bay to the jetty – just watch your step on the rocks that jut out into the water.

Fishing here ranges from razor clamming to deep-sea fishing.

You don’t need to know a thing about razor clams to enjoy this unique activity.

Several stores in town can get you everything you need to harvest the clams, clean them, and prepare for eating.

Places to Avoid in Westport

Dangerous neighborhoods or bad parts of town aren’t an issue.

You can feel comfortable traveling through the public areas of the community.

Avoid thinking that winter is the “off-season” here.

People come from far and wide to watch winter storms roll in.

You should learn as much as you can about tide schedules.

That includes knowing when King Tides hit, as it’s generally too dangerous to be on the beach during that time.

Westport has several safe viewing locations where you can see the massive waves without being at risk.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Westport

Westport does have a local police department. You can call them at 360-268-9197 to ask specific safety questions if you’d like. It doesn’t appear the department is on social media, but you can follow Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office on Facebook. Their phone number is (360) 249-3711.
Grays Harbor County Emergency Management uses the Smart 911 system for emergency alerts. This tool is something I use, as it also allows you to fill out your emergency contact information, health conditions, and allergies in the event you were involved in an accident. You can sign up for free and easily unsubscribe when your trip is over.
Spend time before your trip studying the evacuation zones and routes in Westport. Almost 90% of the city would be inundated in a major tsunami. You might only have minutes to evacuate when the “big one” comes. Even though it’s highly unlikely to happen during your trip, it’s also inevitable.
Check the burn restrictions or burn ban before you plan a beach bonfire or camping trip. Summer usually sees a lot of restrictions, and those are sternly enforced. You don’t want to be the reason a wildfire starts.
Another hazard here is biotoxins in the shellfish, and that can lead to clamming bans from the Washington State Department of Health’s Recreational Shellfish Program. The health issues caused by these toxins have descriptive but scary names – Paralytic Shellfish Poison, Amnesic Shellfish Poison, and Diarrhetic Shellfish Poison.
Check the Washington State Department of Ecology for the latest Grays Harbor County Beach report. This will tell you if the beach and water are safe for swimming. Learn the flag colors at the beaches, and even if all appears calm and safe, never turn your back on the ocean. Sneaker waves and rip currents can be deadly.
Some parts of the Westport beaches allow vehicles to drive on the sand. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. There is a particular set of rules and safety steps when driving on sand. You wouldn’t believe the damage saltwater can do to a vehicle, either. Don’t stop or park below the water line, and know the tide schedule.
A license is required for any kind of fishing here, and that license can be obtained through the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. Even if you’re going on a fishing charter, you should still talk with the vendor to see if they provide the license or if you need to get one on your own.
Check the water temperature before you even consider swimming. Any water below 70°F can lead to hypothermia. The currents here can be very strong, and logs in the water could crush you. Unless you’re an expert surfer, you should take lessons and get a surfing instructor if surfing is one of your travel goals here.
It might help to research the wildlife of Westport and Grays Harbor County, too. You could run into anything from a black bear to a sea lion to a wolverine. Don’t ever bait or feed a wild animal. Give them at least 25–100 yards of space. If they notice you are there, you’re too close.

So... How Safe Is Westport Really?

Westport is a very low-crime community.

The violent crime numbers haven’t been above seven in a year in the past decade, with 2023 only seeing one violent crime.

In addition, no violent crimes involved strangers during the past five years.

While the theft rate averages above national levels, there’s a huge caveat to that.

To figure out the rate “per 100,000 residents,” the raw number of 41 thefts (less than one a week, on average) ballooned to 17% above the national average.

About a quarter of all thefts over the past five years were shoplifting.

It’s also important to focus more on the raw numbers than the percentages because crime rates don’t factor in the thousands of visitors who come through Westport each year.

Since Westport is a popular name for cities, towns, and entertainment districts in America, you need to be extra careful when researching crime here.

Without knowing the difference between the news source locations, Westport can appear more dangerous at first glance.

I assure you, it’s not dangerous at all.

You should now be prepared for any potential risk that comes your way and be able to enjoy the wonderful amenities of this seaside town.

How Does Westport Compare?

City	Safety Index
Westport	78
Boston	67
Washington DC	56
New York City	67
Detroit	56
San Diego	67
Miami	55
Buenos Aires (Argentina)	60
Vancouver (Canada)	82
Cordoba (Argentina)	61
Toronto (Canada)	81
Melbourne (Australia)	80
Montreal (Canada)	81

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. Also, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee. Credit cards, not debit cards, offer the best fraud protection.

Weather

The weather stays mild here throughout the year, with winters dropping to the upper 40s for highs and mid-30s for lows. Summer peaks with highs in the mid-60s and lows in the lower 50s. The rainy season is October through May. Pack sunscreen, bug spray, and waterproof outer layers. Be sure to pay attention to accessories that could easily be blown away in the wind. I lost my favorite baseball cap in a beach windstorm.

Airports

Westport is about 121 miles from Seattle Tacoma International Airport. That’s about a three-hour drive, depending on traffic.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects the cost of baggage loss/theft, delays, cancellations, and emergency health issues. Rental car insurance should include roadside assistance and uninsured motorist coverage. Comprehensive insurance offers the best peace of mind.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Westport Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 6° C

Feb 7° C

Mar 8° C

Apr 9° C

May 11° C

Jun 13° C

Jul 15° C

Aug 15° C

Sep 14° C

Oct 11° C

Nov 8° C

Dec 6° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	9	11	12	13	15	17	19	19	19	16	11	9
Low °C	3	3	3	5	7	9	10	10	9	6	4	2
High °F	48	52	54	55	59	63	66	66	66	61	52	48
Low °F	37	37	37	41	45	48	50	50	48	43	39	36

Washington - Safety by City

City	Safety Index
Anacortes	82
Bainbridge Island	85
Bellevue	84
Diablo	78
Forks	85
Gig Harbor	75
Kennewick	40
Kent	42
Kettle Falls	78
Longview	82
Mercer Island	82
Moses Lake	46
Neah Bay	77
Ocean Shores	79
Olympia	57
Port Angeles	72
Port Townsend	81
Poulsbo	79
Pullman	79
Quinault	82
Renton	70
San Juan Islands	83
Seabrook	78
Seattle	55
Sequim	77
Snoqualmie	78
Spokane	74
Spokane Valley	62
Tacoma	38
Walla Walla	72
Wenatchee	80
Westport	78
Yakima	62

Is Westport Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Washington : Safety by City