Your Guide to Public Saltwater Beaches in the South Puget Sound

From Gig Harbor’s postcard-worthy views of the Puget Sound and Mt Rainier to Tacoma’s scenic beaches that are perfect for picnics, the South Puget Sound offers a long list of spectacular saltwater beaches that are open to the public. Everything from beachcombing and swimming to kayaking and boating await on the salty shores of the South Puget Sound!

Keep reading to learn what locals love most about each park and beach. Plus, the saltwater parks in this guide are grouped by city so you can easily plan your trip.

Tacoma

Owen Beach at Point Defiance: Owen Beach is located inside Tacoma’s Point Defiance Park, and here you can go swimming, rent a kayak or paddle board, admire views of Vashon Island and passing ferries, and even spot orcas!

Jack Hyde Park: This idyllic park on Ruston Way offers beach access and a lovely spot for picnics with front-row views of Commencement Bay.

Browns Point Lighthouse Park: This 4-acre park at the tip of historic Browns Point in Northeast Tacoma features an iconic working lighthouse and beach ready for exploration. The views are nothing short of breathtaking!

Titlow Park: Tidepools, a lagoon trail, and Narrows Bridge panoramas are all waiting to be discovered at the 75-acre Titlow Park. Low tide here reveals many tidepools filled with sea creatures to observe.

Ruston Way Waterfront: 2 miles of paved shoreline connect parks, piers, seafood restaurants, cafés, and unbeatable Mount Rainier vistas. Beach access points are along the way as well.

University Place

Chambers Creek Regional Park: A trail and pedestrian bridge lead to the shoreline on Chambers Bay. With 2+ miles of saltwater shoreline, this park is home to one of the largest beaches in the area.

Steilacoom

Sunnyside Beach Park: A playground, picnic amenities, trails, a volleyball court, sweeping Sound views and more make this beach park the ideal weekend destination. Sunnyside Beach Park is also a great spot for underwater divers.

Gig Harbor

Sunrise Beach Park: This 71-acre park includes 6 acres of beachfront along with picnic amenities, trails, and views of Mount Rainier.

Narrows Park: Picnic tables sit beneath the Tacoma Narrows Bridges, and you’ll also find 1,300 feet of beachfront to enjoy.

Kopachuck State Park: This day-use park offers a mile of west-facing shoreline where you can go fishing, kayaking, diving, shellfishing, windsurfing, swimming, and more.

Cutts Island Marine State Park: Reachable only by boat, this 2-acre island features a sandy spit, moorage buoys, and coves for snorkeling.

Skansie Brothers Park & Netshed: Downtown’s grassy waterfront is home to summer concerts, community events, and of course, stunning views of the water, marina, and more.

Purdy Sand Spit County Park: Locals simply call it “the Spit.” The sand spit separates Henderson Bay from Burley Lagoon, making it prime for clam digging, fishing, and bird watching.

Fox Island

Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Nature Preserve: This 5-acre sandspit at the island’s northwest tip offers a sandy gravel beach, bird-watching, picnic tables, and a kayak launch. It’s an especially peaceful destination with Olympic Mountain views.

Fox Island Fishing Pier: Just over the bridge, this small park includes a long pier for fishing or crabbing, easy beach access, and panoramic views up Hale Passage.

Lakebay

Penrose Point State Park: 152 acres are ready for adventure! 2 miles of saltwater frontage offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, scuba diving, and more. You can even go camping here!

Longbranch

Joemma Beach State Park: This 122-acre park includes 3,000 feet of saltwater shoreline, and visitors love to pack a picnic and go camping, boating, fishing, crabbing, and more.

Port Orchard

Manchester State Park: A historic brick torpedo warehouse anchors this waterfront park that also includes camping and 3,400 feet of shoreline. The serene atmosphere is the perfect getaway where you can immerse yourself in nature both on and off the water.

Federal Way

Dash Point State Park: This massive 398-acre state park is ready for epic adventure. 700 feet of sandy saltwater beach, a fishing pier, campsites, trails, and so much more offer plenty to do whether you’re just spending the afternoon at the park or camping for the weekend.

Olympia

Burfoot County Park: Beautiful forested trails and beach access await at this scenic 50-acre park.

Squaxin Park: This 314-acre gem boasts roughly a mile of Puget Sound shoreline, 4 miles of wooded trails, and excellent opportunities for observing wildlife.

Lacey

Tolmie State Park: Set on Nisqually Reach, Tolmie combines 1,800 feet of beachfront, 3 miles of hiking, a salt-marsh overlook, and an underwater reef beloved by scuba divers.

Tumwater

Tumwater Historical Park: Where the Deschutes River meets Budd Inlet, lawns and a paved waterfront path give easy access to the brackish shoreline. This park is ideal for a picnic or fall salmon watching.

DuPont

Sequalitchew Cove: A mile-long forested trail along an old railroad leads to DuPont’s only saltwater beach. The sheltered cove is ideal for skipping stones and spotting eagles.

Anderson Island

Andy’s Marine Park: A ¾ mile public beach alongside 81 acres of woodlands makes up this picturesque Anderson Island park. Visitors enjoy exploring the tidal inlet that’s a salmon nursery area.

Jacob’s Point Park: This 100-acre preserve mixes shoreline trails, wetlands, and quiet beaches.

Vashon & Maury Islands

Jensen Point Park: This small beach park features a boat ramp, picnic tables, and also offers kayak rentals for your convenience!

Fern Cove: 2 creeks meet the Puget Sound here, creating a serene shoreline perfect for salmon spotting in the fall and quiet walks any time of year.

Lisabeula Park: Rustic campsites, tidepools, and gorgeous Colvos Passage sunsets all await. Some visitors enjoy kayaking or biking to this park; reserve a campsite for your next adventure!

Wingehaven Park: A short forest trail leads to this small 17-acre beach with shoreline access.

Point Robinson Park: Home to a lighthouse, this site has provided fog and lighthouse services to vessels since 1885! The lighthouse is beautiful, and trails make it easy to explore the shoreline. There are also spectacular views of Tacoma, Mt. Rainier, and East Passage from here.

Maury Island Marine Park: More than a mile of undeveloped shoreline and trails offer breathtaking views of the water and Mt Rainier, and this park is especially great for watching wildlife.

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