Ocean Shores

The nearest ocean beaches to Seattle are located at Ocean Shores and Westport. Ocean Shores has become Western Washington's busiest weekend getaway and ocean playground on the coast.

Ocean Shores Location

Many activities are available: enjoyment of the beaches and two major state parks, horseback riding on the beach, driving on the beach, boating on Duck Lake, golf, kite flying, sand castle building, beachcombing, summer festivals sponsored by the city, an indoor waterpark, go karts, mini golf, bumper boats, video game arcade, and movie theater. Numerous accomodations are available in the form of major hotels, motels, B&Bs, and vacation rental houses and condos.

Ocean Shores Activities

The eight mile long Ocean Shores peninsula separates Grays Harbor from the Pacific Ocean. The North Jetty at the southern tip of the peninsula (marking the north entrance to the harbor) holds in the sand and stablizes the peninsula. Wide, sandy ocean beaches stretch from the jetty thirty miles north to Point Grenville on the Quinault Indian Nation reservation.

The interior of the peninsula has been dug with a network of canals and lakes. The principal canal is the Grand Canal and the largest lake is Duck Lake. These waterways have attracted vegetation and wildlife: many kinds of birds, including Great Blue Heron, and deer. The mother deer will swim to the deserted islands in the middle of Duck Lake to give birth to their foals in safety. On the beaches you will find several species of shorebirds, sometimes seals, and occasionally from the North Jetty in the spring you can spot a Pacific Grey whale. Whalewatching tour boats are available in the spring for more reliable sightings of whales.

There are fewer rules restricting recreation on the Ocean Shores beaches than up north in the Olympic National Park. Driving is permitted on the beach in designated areas. Dogs are permitted. Bonfires are permitted away from the beach grass and dunes.