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Beaches in Washington

15 beaches in Washington with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. King County has the most (3). The darkest skies are at Bradbury Beach Boat Launch (Bortle 2).

Top beaches

Ruby BeachBeach
Ruby BeachJefferson County
Alki Beach ParkBeach
Alki Beach ParkKing County
Rialto BeachBeach
Rialto BeachClallam County
Golden Gardens ParkBeach
Golden Gardens ParkKing County
La Push BeachBeach
La Push BeachClallam County
Lake City Beach ParkBeach
Lake City Beach ParkKing County
Bradbury Beach Boat LaunchBeach
Bradbury Beach Boat LaunchStevens County
Beach
Double Bluff BeachIsland County
Beach
Second BeachClallam County
Beach
Waikiki BeachPacific County
Beach
4th of July BeachSan Juan County
Beach
Agate Beach County Park and Iceberg Point TrailSan Juan County

Beaches by county

All beaches (15)

NameCountyElevationNearest townSky
Ruby BeachOlympicJefferson County3 mForks2
Alki Beach ParkKing County3 mSeattle7
Rialto BeachOlympicClallam County—Forks2
Golden Gardens ParkKing County—Greenwood7
La Push BeachClallam County—Forks2
Lake City Beach ParkKing County—Inglewood-Finn Hill8
Bradbury Beach Boat LaunchLake RooseveltStevens County—Kettle Falls2
Double Bluff BeachIsland County—Freeland5
Second BeachOlympicClallam County—Forks2
Waikiki BeachPacific County—Long Beach3
4th of July BeachSan Juan IslandSan Juan County—Friday Harbor3
Agate Beach County Park and Iceberg Point TrailSan Juan IslandSan Juan County—Friday Harbor3
Beach 4OlympicJefferson County—Forks2
Bradbury Beach Day Use AreaLake RooseveltStevens County—Kettle Falls2
Captain William Clark Regional Park at Cottonwood BeachLewis & ClarkClark County—Washougal7

Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).

Map

How to photograph beaches

Beaches facing east suit sunrise and west-facing beaches suit sunset; wet sand mirrors the sky color during golden hour.

  • Time visits around low tide to reveal tide pools, sea stacks and reflective sand — check the tide widget below.
  • Slow shutter speeds (0.5–2 s) turn receding waves into streaks that lead toward the horizon.
  • Watch for sneaker waves; never turn your back on the ocean on exposed coasts.
  • Salt spray coats lenses quickly; wipe often and rinse gear afterward.
  • Fog and marine layers can make minimalist images; don't give up on grey days.

Season: Winter storms bring dramatic surf on Pacific coasts; summer and autumn sunsets are popular on Atlantic and Gulf beaches.