Want to mix salty air with rugged beauty? These beaches in Washington State deliver dramatic coastlines, tidepool adventures, and peaceful strolls perfect for a refreshing day out.
Highlights:
Recommended Beaches in Washington State:
1. Alki Beach
Located in West Seattle, Alki Beach is a great community recreational area with a long beach strip stretching from Alki Point to Duwamish Head. Alongside the beach there is a great 2.5-mile pathway that is perfect for walking all year round and very popular with joggers, roller-bladders, and cyclists. The beach has good amenities, including parking, picnic tables, a bath house, and restrooms. The entire beach offers excellent views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains as well as the never-ending parade of boats, ferries, and yachts.
Address: Alki Beach, 1702 Alki Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Where to Eat: |
2. Seabrook Beach
The coastal town of Seabrook Beach, and lovely Seabrook is located in Pacific Beach close to Olympic National Park. You can look forward to exploring a long and broad stretch of sandy beach that is great for all kinds of beach activities, including sandcastle building, sun-tanning, kite flying, dog walking, and picnicking. The beach offers the perfect spot for long sunset walks followed by supper at one of the restaurants in town. You can rent a bicycle in town and explore on two wheels. When you need a break from the beach you can go for a scenic drive in Olympic National Park.
Address: 4275 SR 109, Pacific Beach, WA 98571
Romantic Beaches in Washington State:
3. Cama Beach
Visiting Cama Beach, located at the Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island, is like stepping back in time. The beach is lined with a row of 1930s cabins and there is a general store and a camp-fire gathering point where vacationers meet to socialize and toast marshmallows. You can do as much or as little as you like on Cama Beach – simply relax and soak up some sun, have a swim, or find a good spot for some fishing. You can also enjoy boating, crabbing, diving, and birdwatching or set off along one of the trails for a pleasant hike. There are dedicated activities for children, and beach bingo and various other activities are hosted during summer.
Address: Cama Beach, 1880 W. Camano Dr, Camano Island, WA 98282
4. Damon Point Spit
Damon Point Spit is a nice protected area of sandy beach located close to public parking near Ocean Shores on the southern Washington coastline.
The beach is great for walking and scavenging, as large amounts of driftwood wash up along this section of the shore. Although swimming is not recommended due to strong rip currents, children can have a lot of fun building sandcastles and collecting a variety of interesting shells and smaller pieces of driftwood. Many people come to the beach to enjoy hiking the 4-mile Damon Point Trail, and there is excellent birdwatching, particularly in winter when snowy owls are regularly spotted.
Address: Damon Point Spit, Point Brown Rd, Ocean Shores, WA 98569
Family Beaches in Washington State:
5. Denny Blaine Park
Denny Blaine Park is located along the shores of Lake Washington and is one of Seattle’s best-kept beach secrets. The quiet park is arranged on three levels – the upper two are grassed and perfect for sunbathing or a laidback picnic. The lower level of the park is sandy and adjoins the rocky lake shore. In the summer you can swim in the lake or simply bring a float and relax on the water. It might be important to mention that this is a clothing-optional beach and you will often see partially or completely naked people here; if nudity is offensive to you, it would be wise to choose another beach.
Address: Denny Blaine Park, 200 Lake Washington Blvd E, Seattle, WA 98112
6. Fort Flagler North Beach
Located on an elevated bluff at the tip of Marrowstone Island, Fort Flagler North Beach offers wonderful views out over Puget Sound. The 2-mile section of shore known as North Beach is covered in interesting driftwood and makes the ideal place to take long romantic walks. The park offers a good variety of seaside activities, including crabbing and clamming, swimming and saltwater fishing. In addition, there are two boat ramps and several moorings. Other popular activities on the beach include kite flying and paragliding. For a break from the beach activities you can go on a guided tour of Fort Flagler, which includes historic gun emplacements and a military hospital. The park offers a variety of camping and other accommodation options.
Address: Fort Flagler North Beach, Marrowstone Island, Hood Canal & Eastern Olympic Peninsula, WA 98358
Unique Beaches in Washington State:
7. Fort Worden Beach
Forming part of the Fort Worden State Park, Fort Worden Beach is a picturesque 2-mile stretch of beach featuring elevated bluffs that offer sweeping views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. There are plenty of beach activities to keep visitors occupied, including swimming and diving, crabbing and clamming as well as lots of mucking around in boats. You can bring your personal watercraft to the park, where you have the use of a 120-foot dock and two boat ramps. Kayak rentals are available and for those who like to keep their feet dry there are over 11 miles of hiking trails and 8 miles of cycling trails. No visit would be complete without touring the historic fort and its well-preserved surroundings.
Address: Fort Worden Beach, 200 Battery Way, Port Townsend, WA 98368
Plan ahead for these Port Townsend events:
- Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival July 27-August 3, 2025
- Wooden Boat Festival from September 5- 7, 2025
8. Golden Gardens Beach
Located in Golden Gardens Park in Ballard, Seattle, Golden Gardens Beach is a lovely stretch of sandy beach with good facilities and plenty of parking (it can also be accessed by public transport). Many residents believe that this beach is the ideal place to watch the sunset and if you visit at that time, you will usually find many locals relaxing on the benches, walking along the beach, or playing beach volleyball. Other activities in the park include hiking along the forest trails and fishing off the pier. The park also has an off-leash area where your dog can run around.
Address: Golden Gardens Beach, 8498 Seaview PI NW, Seattle, WA 98117
If you are a photographer, don't miss:
9. Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay is located in Westhaven State Park, in Grays Harbor County near Westport. The crescent-shaped strip of sandy beach is separated from the open Pacific Ocean by the Westhaven Jetty, which can be accessed along a paved 1.3-mile path. The beautiful beach is backed by swaying grasses and gentle sand dunes and is popular with surfers. Other water-related activities include crabbing, clamming, and saltwater fishing. The beach is a great place to relax and soak up the sun or be a bit more energetic and do some beach combing or go for a run. Swimming is not advised due to strong currents and rip tides.
Address: Half Moon Bay, 2700 Jetty Haul Rd, Westport, WA 98595
10. Hobuck Beach
You can find Hobuck Beach on the beautiful Pacific coastline of Neah Bay, just west of the Makah tribal reservation. The attractive stretch of beach offers visitors a variety of facilities, including camping and birdwatching as well as swimming and fishing. Hobuck Beach is a popular spot for surfing, and avid surfers can contact the National Buoy Data Center for all the information you need regarding surf conditions. You can also enjoy soaking up the sun or going for long beach walks as you watch a magnificent Pacific sunset. The beach regularly hosts a variety of events, including youth surf camps and the Hobuck Hoedown, a surf-paddling festival.
Address: Hobuck Beach, 2726 Makah Passage, Neah Bay, WA 98357
📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
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How much coastline does Washington State have?
- Washington State is home to over 157 miles of coastline, not including its numerous inlets, bays, and lagoons.
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What types of beaches can visitors find in Washington?
- Washington has many coastal beaches and islands waiting to be explored.
- There are also several freshwater beaches along the shores of Lake Washington and near Vancouver.
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What activities can visitors enjoy at Washington’s beaches?
- All of these beach locations provide excellent opportunities for outdoor relaxation and entertainment.
Best Time to Visit Beaches in Washington State
- June to September – Best overall time for mild weather, beach hikes, and tidepool exploring.
- July & August – Warmest months with long daylight hours and the most sunshine for coastal adventures.
- May & October – Cooler but scenic, perfect for quiet strolls, photography, and spotting coastal wildlife.
- November to April – Off-season with chilly temps and dramatic skies, great for storm watching and solitude.
- Year-Round Pacific Coast – Rugged beaches like Ruby or Rialto offer stunning views in any season.
At a Glance:
Best Time to Visit
Places to Stay
Tips for Visiting
Summer (June-August) – Warm and best for outdoor activities.
Kalaloch Lodge – A rustic beachfront stay in Olympic National Park.
Visit Ruby Beach – Explore stunning sea stacks, tide pools, and driftwood-covered shores.
Fall (September-November) – Fewer crowds and beautiful coastal scenery.
Quinault Beach Resort & Casino – A cozy oceanfront retreat with entertainment.
Enjoy Long Beach – Walk along one of the longest beaches in the U.S. and visit the boardwalk.
Winter (December-February) – Cool and stormy, ideal for storm watching.
Iron Springs Resort – A peaceful getaway with private beachfront cabins.
Watch the Pacific Storms – Experience dramatic waves and moody coastal views at La Push Beach.
Spring (March-May) – Mild weather and blooming coastal wildflowers.
Ocean Crest Resort – A family-friendly stay near scenic trails and beaches.
Explore Cape Disappointment – Visit the lighthouse and learn about Lewis and Clark’s journey.
Map:
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