Ocean Shores, WA

Travel Guide

North Jetty which includes rocky coastline and a sandy beach
Ocean Shores showing tranquil scenes and a house
Ocean Shores featuring general coastal views and waves
Ocean Shores showing general coastal views, a coastal town and a house
Ocean Shores Beach featuring a house and a coastal town
In this small town, visitors can relax and experience the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Ocean Shores is small, with just 5,500 residents, but visitors will find plenty of things to do. The town is on a peninsula. Wake to a sunrise to the east over North Bay and Grays Harbor. Enjoy a busy day sightseeing and come back in time to drink a cocktail while watching the sun set to the west over the Pacific Ocean.

The southernmost part of the peninsula is ironically the place to find the North Jetty. Park for free and roam the beach. Look for bits of bright sea glass rounded by the waves and brought to shore by tides. Head north along the 6 miles (10 kilometers) of beach and wade in the surf or build sand castles. In June, marvel at the kite flying that is part of the two-day Festival of Colors, an international stunt-kite festival that takes place on the city beaches and draws participants from around the world.

Moving a half mile (800 meters) east, you’ll find Oyhut Wildlife Area. Bring binoculars and do some birding. You’re likely to find snowy plovers, herons, pheasants, pelicans and more in the 682 acres (276 hectares) of natural wetlands and tidal flats.  

On the eastern side of Oyhut, visit Ocean Shores Interpretive Center, with history and wildlife exhibits. Children will love the hands-on, interactive displays featuring snowy owls, sea otters and seals, the logging industry, whaling, predators and prey, fishing, ecology and sea creatures. There is even a display of a “person” made entirely from materials collected on the beach. There is plenty of free parking at the center, and there is no admission fee, but donations are welcome.  

Rent an eco-friendly electric boat and spend the day on the canal or Duck Lake that stretch along the interior of the peninsula, or venture into the harbor. Bring a picnic lunch, and plenty of sunscreen, and spend the day on the water. If you have time, drive just over three hours north to see Olympic National Park with views of 7,965-foot (2,428-meter) Mount Olympus and its surrounding glaciers.

Lighthouse Suites Inn
Lighthouse Suites Inn
2.5 out of 5
491 Damon Road, Ocean Shores, WA
The price is ¥16,048 per night from Apr 2 to Apr 3
¥16,048
¥17,973 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 2 - Apr 3
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Ocean Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,250 reviews)
"Thermostat was a chsllenge"

Reviewed on Mar 28, 2025

Lighthouse Suites Inn
The Canterbury Inn
The Canterbury Inn
2.5 out of 5
643 Ocean Shores Blvd. NW, Ocean Shores, WA
The price is ¥19,816 per night from Apr 7 to Apr 8
¥19,816
¥22,195 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 7 - Apr 8
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Ocean Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,007 reviews)
"Loved it! Will be coming back soon 😉"

Reviewed on Mar 29, 2025

The Canterbury Inn
Hotel Mar Vista
Hotel Mar Vista
2 out of 5
845 Ocean Shores Blvd NW, 54, Ocean Shores, WA
The price is ¥7,792 per night from Apr 2 to Apr 3
¥7,792
¥8,727 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 2 - Apr 3
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Ocean Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
7.6/10 Good! (691 reviews)
"Quiet, easy to find, clean very comfortable bed and spacious room!"

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2025

Hotel Mar Vista
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Grey Gull
The Grey Gull
2 out of 5
651 Ocean Shores Blvd NW, Ocean Shores, WA
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Ocean Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,009 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2025

The Grey Gull
Sea Breeze Cottage - Pet Friendly, Walk to Beach!
Sea Breeze Cottage - Pet Friendly, Walk to Beach!
Ocean Shores
Stay at this cottage in Ocean Shores. Enjoy patios, cable/satellite TV service, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Ocean Shores Beach and Pacific ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (133 reviews)
Good Property for short retreat w/o children
"Overall happy with our stay. Clean, easy check-in, responsive hosts. Location is good for the price point. Good space for a couples retreat. We had our dog with us and it was good for us. Would strongly NOT recommend if traveling with small children, however, due to the stairs having lots of big ..."

Reviewed on Feb 2, 2025

Sea Breeze Cottage - Pet Friendly, Walk to Beach!
Sea Breeze Cottages
Sea Breeze Cottages
3 out of 5
131 Barnacle St, Ocean Shores, WA
Stay at this 3-star cottage in Ocean Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Ocean Shores Beach and Pacific Paradise ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (282 reviews)
"This was a lovely property, I didn’t arrive till late around 8pm and left early but I would definitely stay again when I could have more time there."

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2025

Sea Breeze Cottages
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Ocean Shores

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
451
5 - Excellent 43%
4 - Good
461
4 - Good 44%
3 - Okay
107
3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
17
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
11
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I will definitely be back!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

We always love coming here for the weekend! We will now only stay at Morning Glory or Comfort Inn when in the area, we have been burnt at other places and these two are always winners!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Love coming to Ocean Shores. We go to the beach, fly our kites, rent mopeds, visit shops and have a great time!!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Love ocean shores! Small town with lots of options to eat and visit for a weekend trip!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

A couple new stores......but still not too much to do in town..most of our time is spent on the beach

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

We love coming there every year.

Cities near Ocean Shores