The 9 Best Seattle Beaches For Swimming, Sunbathing, And Strolling

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Seattle beaches are something special.

Californians may be disappointed, but the beaches here suit us Seattleites just fine. Sure, we might have grass and rocks instead of sand. And the water may be frigid even in the summer, but that doesn’t stop us from having a good time. Every summer (which starts after July 4th in these parts, by the way) you’ll find Seattle’s beaches crowded with sunbathers, families, paddle-boarders, kayaks and floats, volleyball matches, and even some brave swimmers.

Whether you’re looking for sandy beaches in Seattle, beaches with lifeguards, a good beach for tide pool exploring, or even a clothing-optional beach, there’s sure to be a good option on this list for you.

Hot tip before you go: Many Seattle beaches are quite rocky underfoot, so you may want to bring water shoes of some sort!

Here are the top beaches in Seattle:

1. Alki Beach

Located in West Seattle, this sandy shoreline runs roughly from 64th Place SW to Duwamish Head on Elliott Bay. Alki Beach is one of the few sandy beaches in Seattle. It is popular year-round but especially in the summer. The water remains very cold year-round, but you can sunbathe and make use of volleyball courts, picnic tables, and fire pit rings in the summer months. There are also plenty of excellent restaurants within walking distance.

Fun fact: Alki Beach is rich with history, having been the landing place of the first white settlers in Seattle. Also, there used to be an amusement park at the beach named Luna Park, built in 1907 and inspired by Coney Island. Today you can visit a miniature Statue of Liberty at Alki Beach.

📍Location: 2665 Alki Ave SW

2. Golden Gardens

Located in Ballard, Golden Gardens Park is another sandy beach in Seattle that’s popular with the city’s northern residents. Like Alki, Golden Gardens has fire ring pits for summer use and volleyball courts—and again, some very frigid water year-round. The rest of the park has shady forest trails and an off-leash dog area (not on the beach, though).

📍Location: 8498 Seaview Pl. NW

3. Madrona Beach

Lake Washington is popular among Seattleites for swimming since it’s warmer than Puget Sound (which is the body of water you’ll be dealing with at Alki Beach and Golden Gardens). Several grassy beaches line the western shore of Lake Washington including Madrona Beach, Madison Park Beach, Magnuson Park Beach, Mount Baker Beach, and Denny Blaine Beach. You’ll find lifeguards on duty at Madrona Beach during the summer from noon to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends. Be sure to look for Mount Rainier on clear days.

📍Location: 853 Lake Washington Blvd.

4. Madison Park Beach

This small lakefront beach is adjacent to the beautiful Washington Park Arboretum. There are lifeguards on duty at Madison Beach during the summer from noon to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends. You’ll also find a stunning view, a playground for kids, and tennis courts.

📍Location: 1900 43rd Ave. E

5. Magnuson Park Beach

Magnuson Park Beach is great for swimming and has excellent views of the water and gorgeous landscape all the way to Mt. Ranier. You’ll find lifeguards on duty at Magnuson Park Beach during the summer from noon to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends. Nearby is the 8.6-acre Magnuson off-leash dog area which includes a dog-friendly beach.

📍Location: 6505 NE 65th St

6. West Green Lake Beach

Green Lake is a popular swimming destination in the summer for northern Seattleites who find the Puget Sound water at Golden Gardens too cold. There are lifeguards on duty at West Green Lake Beach during the summer from noon to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends. East Green Lake Beach is not open for summer 2024 due to unsafe swimming conditions.

📍Location: 7312 W Green Lake Dr.

7. Mount Baker Beach

You’ll find lots of families with kids at this lakefront beach in the summers. Lifeguards are on duty at Mount Baker Beach during the summer from noon to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends.

📍Location: 2301 Lake Washington Blvd. S

8. Denny Blaine Park

One important thing you need to know about the beach at Denny Blaine Park is that it is clothing optional. If that’s your vibe, it’s a great little spot to do some swimming and tan line-free sunbathing.

📍Location: 200 E Lk Washington Blvd

9. Fort Lawton Beach in Discovery Park

Located on the edge of the 534-acre Discovery Park, Fort Lawton Beach has beautiful views and a historic lighthouse. It’s not really a beach for swimming, but it’s great for exploring at low tide. Don’t expect to find parking right at the beach (parking passes for the small lot there are provided by the park’s visitors center in limited quantities to those with a valid need). Instead, you can find parking at the north or south parking lot and follow the trails down to the beach. Be prepared for the vertical hike back. Here is a helpful map of Discovery Park.

📍Location: Discovery Park at 3801 Discovery Park Blvd.

Edited by Sarah Nash.