Grayland Beach State Park offers 7,449 feet of ocean frontage on the Pacific Ocean south of Westport. The beach is known for its excellent razor clam digging during designated seasons. The 412-acre park includes 4 miles of flat, sandy beach that permits vehicle access in certain areas. The steady winds make it ideal for kite […]
Washington Beaches
Washington State’s beaches span three distinct coastal zones: the wild Pacific Ocean beaches of the Olympic Peninsula and southwest coast (Ruby Beach, Rialto Beach, Kalaloch, Ocean Shores, Westport, and Cape Disappointment), the sheltered pebble and sand pocket beaches of Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands (Alki Beach, Golden Gardens, Lincoln Park, Mukilteo Lighthouse Park, and Deception Pass), and warm freshwater lake beaches on Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, and Lake Chelan. Pacific Ocean and Puget Sound waters remain cold year-round (46 F to 56 F), making tide pooling at low tide, beachcombing, sea kayaking, clamming, and storm watching more common than prolonged ocean swimming without a wetsuit. Washington State Parks require vehicles to display a daily ($10) or annual ($30) Discover Pass, while Olympic National Park beaches require an NPS entrance pass. Always carry a tide table on Olympic Peninsula beaches to avoid being trapped at high tide around headlands. Use the filters below to explore Washington beaches across the outer Pacific Coast, Olympic National Park, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, and inland lakes by tide pooling, sea kayaking, clamming, camping, and summer swimming. Before visiting, ensure you display a Washington State Parks Discover Pass or National Park pass where required, carry a printed NOAA tide chart for headland hikes, and check the Washington Department of Ecology BEACH program for water quality updates.
Moclips Beach
Moclips Beach is located at the northernmost town on Washington’s southern coast, offering a quieter alternative to more developed beach towns. The area has significant cultural importance to the Quinault Indian Nation, whose reservation borders the town. Historically a thriving resort destination in the early 1900s, most structures were destroyed in violent storms, giving the […]
Kalaloch Beach
Kalaloch Beach is part of Olympic National Park’s coastal region, offering several numbered beach access points (Beach 1-4). The area is famous for the “Tree of Life,” a Sitka spruce that hangs over an eroded bluff with roots exposed yet still thriving. Kalaloch Creek empties into the ocean here, creating diverse habitats. The Kalaloch Campground […]
Waikiki Beach (Cape Disappointment)
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 […]
Damon Point
Damon Point is a sandy spit that extends into Grays Harbor, forming a unique peninsula with beaches on all sides. The area is designated as a marine protected area and wildlife refuge, particularly important for snowy plovers, a threatened shorebird species. The point offers four miles of walkable beach around its perimeter. Once the site […]
Hobuck Beach
Hobuck Beach is a crescent-shaped beach on the Makah Reservation near Neah Bay, the northwestern-most point of the contiguous United States. The beach’s protected bay location makes it one of the safest places to surf on the Washington coast, with gentler waves than more exposed beaches. Hobuck Beach Resort offers camping and cabin rentals right […]
Dungeness Spit
Dungeness Spit is the longest natural sand spit in the United States, extending 5.5 miles into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. This unique landform is protected as part of the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, home to over 250 bird species and diverse marine wildlife. Hikers can walk the length of the spit to reach […]
Ruby Beach
Ruby Beach is one of the most scenic and popular beaches in Olympic National Park. Known for its dramatic sea stacks, driftwood, and colorful stones, this rugged coastline offers stunning views and exploration opportunities. The beach derives its name from the ruby-like crystals in the sand. Visitors come for photography, beachcombing, and exploring tide pools […]