Washington Beaches

My favorite beaches in Washington along the Pacific Ocean include Ocean Shores, Westport, Long Beach, and Second Beach.

Ocean Shores includes a beach area of six miles. The oceanic climate is similar to the Mediterranean with patterns of wetter winters and dryer summers. On this beach, I have gone horse back riding, flown kites, and enjoyed many bonfires. You can drive on this beach, but recommend you don’t park on it at night. My car went swimming in the Pacific Ocean one night.

A peninsula due south from Ocean Shores is Westport. Westport is well known for surfing, fishing, kite flying, whale watching, and horseback riding. Westport is also termed “Sport Fishing Capital of the World”. This is the beach where I go fishing from. I’ve caught crabs, halibut, Rockfish, and Coho Salmon. Black-footed Albatross and South Polar Skua are among many of the bird species that reside 35 nautical miles due west from central Grays Harbor.

“The World’s Longest Beach”, Long Beach is a coast town nestled between the Pacific Ocean, Columbia River and Willapa Bay. This area is known for Cape Disappointment State Park (Fort Canby), and Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. I have fished, crabbed, oyster farmed, and collected cranberries along this beach.

A hidden treasure, unlike other beaches in Washington, is Second Beach. Second Beach is adjacent to tribal land, Quileute Reservation. The water is pristine and the beaches very clean. Getting to Second Beach is about 1.9 to 4 mile hike depending upon your route. You will descend approximately 182 feet. Some parts of the beach have water that is turquoise in color. You will see starfish, mussels, and clams, all within a hands reach. Like all beach areas near tribes, you should treat the land with respect and remove all trash (even if it isn’t yours). You can also camp overnight on this beach.