Top 5 Bellingham Bay Beaches near Downtown

In every town, there’s always a hidden gem tucked away that only locals know about. In Bellingham, that gem is Locust Beach. You can ride your bike, take the bus, drive, or come by water.

At Locust Beach, seabird sounds (and airplanes overhead from the nearby airport) fill the air. Take your time beach-combing, and you’ll likely discover driftwood forts, hanging hammock nets, and even the remains of a shipwreck. Lummi Island, Orcas Island, and the Chuckanut Mountains rise above the saltwater. 

On warm days, you can walk out onto the Nooksack River Delta. The water is relatively warm during summer, and the sand stretches as far as you can imagine.

The shallow water and sandy beach make Locust Beach perfect for skimboarding. Run along with your board, drop it in the shallow water, and show off for your friends. On windy days, this is also a prime destination for kiteboarders. Bellingham Kite Paddle even offers kiteboard lessons! 

Tip: Beach shoes are a must at Locust Beach. You never know what you’re going to step on or in. Check the tides when you’re planning your trip — especially if you’re arriving by boat.

A popular dog-walking park with designated off-leash trails, Little Squalicum Park offers a short walk to the beach. At low tide, you can even walk along the beach in either direction. 

While you're there, check out Little Squalicum Pier, the longest pier in Washington state!

Just east of Little Squalicum Park, Squalicum Beach is a drive-up beach with easy access for all ages. This port-owned property connects to the City of Bellingham’s Little Squalicum Park along the beach — you can walk between the two at low tide.

In addition to a beach, Boulevard Park offers something for the whole family, (including a Woods Coffee!). Once you have your latte, the kids will enjoy the Pirate Playground and its "walk the plank" element. The park also has picnic tables, benches, and grassy areas great for spreading out a blanket. 

There are many other interesting features that you'll find here, including a group of rocks scattered on the north end of the park. The flat, smooth surface of the tallest rock makes for a great slide - if you can reach the summit.

Boulevard Park is also an incredible place to enjoy the sunset. 

Waypoint Park is located centrally on the downtown Bellingham waterfront. Check out Waypoint’s giant steel acid ball before exploring the park and playground. Alongside this sculpture is a grassy area to run and play, as well as a beach where you can skip rocks or look for sea life. Perch on benches or some well-placed rocks to enjoy the sun and scenery.

Waypoint Park also features Downtown Bellingham's pump track, the Kulshan Trackside Beer Garden, and a rotating selection of food trucks.

There’s no beach access at Zuanich Point Park, but the bay and harbor views are excellent. Jutting out into the bay, Zuanich Point is a notoriously windy park — perfect for flying kites. There’s also a playground and paved walking paths that are great for individuals with limited mobility.  

Marine Park is a 1.9-acre park that includes beach access to Bellingham Bay. It is also conveniently located near Fairhaven Village and the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. 

Clayton Beach is a favorite among locals and visitors alike, and it's not hard to see why! A relatively short (1.5 round trip) tree-lined path takes you straight to the beach, where you can soak in views of nearby islands. 

Park at the Lost Lake parking lot just south of the Larrabee Park entrance. A Discover Pass or day fee is required. 

The beach is the center of life in Birch Bay. In the middle of everything is Birch Bay State Park, offering more than a mile of waterfront fun. Build sandcastles, fly kites, dig for clams, go for a sunset walk, attend festivals, or just breath in the smell of water.