Our beaches here in Washington state can sometimes be underrated. The water temperature is always frigid and the beaches themselves tend to be rocky rather than sandy. That said, our beaches reward intrepid visitors with stunning natural beauty, unique wildlife, and sometimes even literal hidden gems. Only one beach in the United States made it onto Lonely Planet’s World’s Best Beaches list in 2025, and it’s right here in Washington state: Ruby Beach.
Read on for all the details!
Beaches included in Lonely Planet’s list range from The Pass in Australia in the number-one slot (“best beach for surfers at every level”) to Playa Bahía de las Águilas in the Dominican Republic at the bottom of the list (“best beach for diamond-white sand”). Of the 25 beaches included on the list, Ruby Beach is the only one located in the United States.
Ruby Beach may not have white sand or spectacular conditions of surfing, but it is full of natural beauty and wildlife. Sitting at number 17 on the list, Ruby Beach was named the “best beach for beachcombers.” As detailed by Lonely Planet, beachcombers can search the beach for sea glass and garnets as well as discover a wide variety of creatures in its tide pools. You can even spot bald eagles there. These elements make Ruby Beach a “wonderland” for all ages to explore.
If you’re going to visit Ruby Beach, be sure to plan ahead. It can be chilly and rainy even in July, so bring a sweater or rain jacket. Wear study, waterproof boots and watch out for rogue waves. Finally, be aware that Ruby Beach is a part of Olympic National Park so you’ll need to purchase a national park pass—or visit on one of the National Parks Free Entrance Days. And don’t forget to explore the rest of Olympic National Park while you’re there!
You can see the full list of the world’s best beaches on the Lonely Planet site.