About This Beach
Waikiki Beach at Cape Disappointment (no relation to Hawaii’s famous beach) is a small, protected cove nestled beneath towering cliffs. It offers dramatic views of Cape Disappointment Lighthouse and the massive waves that crash against the jetty during storms. The beach got its unusual name from Hawaiian Pacific Fur Company employees who were stationed nearby in the early 1800s. The beach is popular for swimming in summer months due to its relatively protected location. It provides a front-row seat to the powerful dynamics where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, creating dramatic water displays during high seas or storm conditions.