(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“This spot is not consistent.
I think saying it is too small 17% of the time it's completely ridiculous.
It is too small to surf 97% of the time.
And when there's waves there will be a bunch of people out.”
Wendy from UNITED STATES - 03 Oct 2023
Fort. Ebey Ratings
Overall: 2.0. Based on 19 votes and 4 reviews. Vote
Quality on a good day: 2.6(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 1.6(1: Fort. Ebey is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 1.8(1: Fort. Ebey is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Washington State. 5: the best break in Washington State). |
Difficulty Level: 2.6(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 2.1(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Fort. Ebey can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 2.0(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Fort. Ebey, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 1.6(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Fort. Ebey are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 4.0(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 2.6(1: Often too crowded. 5: Fort. Ebey is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 4.5(1: Getting to Fort. Ebey requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 4.5(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 2.5(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 2.8(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Fort. Ebey for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 3.9(1: Camping at Fort. Ebey is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 2.1(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Fort. Ebey is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 1.2(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 2.4(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Fort. Ebey, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 2.2(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Fort. Ebey where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
“Being a Seattle local and a surfer can be rough, as the closest surf breaks to ride a decent wave are roughly two hours away (or more) depending on which direction you're going. With that said, if you're up for an adventure and (if you're very lucky) a rippable left reef/mini-point, then Fort Ebey is worth the trip north. If you're looking for a consistent and reliable wave, this isn't it, but on the right day the wave can be pretty fun. I have been out to check it around about thirty times in the last two years and have only been lucky to catch it breaking a few times. It is very fickle. The water is usually pretty cold, colder than surfing the coast of Washington, probably due to the swell travelling so far down the straight, the wind and the upwelling of colder water to the surface, in any case, bring a 5/4 or thicker, booties, a hood, and gloves, (especially if you aren't from the northwest or somewhere cold), and maybe a beer or two for the locals. Stay loose haole.”
Ryan from UNITED STATES - 10 Jan 2020
“Such a fickle wave, don't come if you're expecting to score regularly. You are going to get skunked. Definitely not worth a drive from Seattle. Better option to just take the drive to the actual coast where there are always waves, not just a flat lake.”
GHH from UNITED STATES - 10 Oct 2017
“This is an extremely fickle left point break so unless you've been here enough to figure it out your chances of getting skunked are high. Even us locals can't predict it even when everything looks "dialed" to go it still often saltpeters out. Its the last break at the end of the strait of Juan de Fuca so swell direction is pretty important and its very tide/wind dependent.
Its a fun little wave when it shapes up starting at the elbow of the point with a prominent flat section in the bowl and then gets fast and ledgy on the inside. Don't bring your prize board as your chances of dinging it on the rocks are pretty high.
This spot definitely can't hold a big crowd so if you come be prepared take turns and general rules of respect/ dropping in/ snaking all apply.”
Thom from UNITED STATES - 29 Aug 2011
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