Best Saltwater and Freshwater Beaches in and Near Seattle, Washington
Seattle may be situated next to a body of salt water (hi, Puget Sound!), but it’s not the open ocean and so the traditional beach-going experience is different in Seattle.
You won’t find crashing waves next to miles upon miles of sandy shoreline. What you will find are pockets of sand or pebbles next to bustling urban areas or alongside tree-lined walking trails and picturesque parks.
Gaze out at the water and marvel at how calm it is compared to the open ocean; a perfect surface for kayaking or stand up paddle boarding. After experiencing the best beaches in Seattle, you may not want to go back to the wild waves of Washington’s Pacific coastline!
So where do you find these excellent Seattle beaches? Some are located within the city limits, while others are located just outside it in the northern and eastern suburbs of Seattle.
Alki Beach in West Seattle
Alki Beach is a gorgeous area in the hipster-approved West Seattle neighborhood that is located across West Seattle bridge south of downtown Seattle. Alki Beach is the jewel of West Seattle with a long stretch of pebbly sand framed by the sparkling Puget Sound on one side and rows of multi-million dollar homes and seafood eateries and bars on the other side.
Alki Beach is the closest thing you’ll get to to a “SoCal” beach in Seattle, in that it’s a fairly long stretch of coastline, has a boardwalk, and is right next to shops and restaurants that have a surfer vibe (ok, make that a stand up paddle boarder vibe with a decidedly Pacific Northwestern twist — you do need to head to the actual coast for surfing!)
Marina Beach Park in Edmonds
Another beach that has real sand is in Edmonds, a suburb located about thirty minute north of Seattle. You’ll find this at Marina Beach Park, which has a picturesque beach by a picnic area and playground plus old tree trunks lying around that make for a perfect place to sit (or for the kiddos to climb on).
In addition to the sand, the beach looks out toward the Olympic Mountain Range to the west and is flanked by harbors home to yachts and sailboats.
Rockaway Beach Park on Bainbridge Island
Catch the car ferry (right by the Seattle Aquarium) and a short thirty minutes later you’ll disembark on Bainbridge Island, an island so close many residents who live there commute to downtown for work, yet it feels a world away.
A great beach to visit on Bainbridge Island is Rockaway Beach Park on the southeast end of the island. It has a rugged walking trail and if you’re planning to wade in the water you’ll want to bring water shoes since this beach is made up of tiny pebbles.
The lack of sand is worth it, though, for the views of Seattle across the way and the chance to see the sea critters who get stuck among the rocks in tidepools when the tide is out.
Double Bluff Beach on Whidbey Island
Another place you can take the ferry (car or pedestrian) to is Whidbey Island. Take the ferry from Edmonds and get off about forty minutes later in Whidbey Island where you can drive to Double Bluff Beach.
This beach has incredible views of Mount Rainier on a clear day. It is also home to an expansive sandy area that backs to dramatic cliffs. This beach is also dog-friendly and your canine friend can run around without a leash while there.
Best Lake Beaches Near Seattle
Surprise! I don’t only have salt water beaches on this list. Yes, a couple of the best beaches around Seattle are actually situated on lakes, but you’ll have to travel to the Eastside of Seattle, the term given to the suburbs situated between Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains.
Marina Park Public Beach in Kirkland
This beach is particularly alluring on a clear day since you can see across Lake Washington to the skyscrapers of downtown Seattle. The beach is small, but has a narrow strip of sand and a larger grassy area next to the sand, making it ideal for those who don’t want to leave a Seattle beach covered in sand or dirt.
Marina Park Public Beach is also within walking distance to downtown Kirkland, a pretty urban area full of high-end shops, ritzy restaurants, and sidewalks overlooking the water.
Lake Sammamish State Park
Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah is a great place on the Eastside to have a beach day.
Lake Sammamish State Park massively updated its beach area and adjacent playground a few years ago and it’s now one of the best beaches in the Seattle area. It has a huge space filled with sand, which is in walking distance to picnic benches and a brand new playground, making it great for families (the playground is even inspired by Washington and nature!). The beach is right next to a swimming area.
A bonus for those who like to play in water without a wetsuit or shivering is that Lake Sammamish warms up quite a bit in the summer months, unlike Lake Washington and the Puget Sound which tend to stay pretty chilly year-round. It’s also close to a launching point for kayaks and boats.
Find Beauty and Fun at Seattle Beaches
The best beaches in Seattle have something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a quintessential beach experience with towels laid out on the sand or a more adventurous one that is ideal for watersports or looking for sealife. One thing the best beaches in Seattle all have in common is that they are privy to amazing views.