58°
Cloudy
14%
34
Whatcom County, WA · Puget Sound
Birch Bay State Park
5105 Helweg Rd, Blaine, WA 98230
A shallow, south-facing bay eight miles from the Canadian border that warms further than anywhere else on the Washington coast — genuinely swimmable in August, which is rare here. Crabbing, clamming, and windsurfing, with the North Cascades on one horizon and the Canadian Gulf Islands on the other. The half-mile Terrell Marsh trail runs behind the beach.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
NWS alert active · 58°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Cloudy, with a high near 58. East southeast wind 8 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
Rain before 1am, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 1am and 4am, then rain likely. Mostly cloudy. Low around 49, with temperatures rising to around 51 overnight. South wind 17 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Weather
- 58°F air — chilly for a beach day
- 22 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
- Cloud cover — overcast reduces uv exposure but the vibe too
Safety
- NWS alert active — wind advisory issued november 7 at 2:02am pst until november 8 at 4:00am pst by nws seattle wa
34 /100
skip
17 Sunbathe
53 Walk
66 Photo
Best for photography today
Weather alert in effect
Wind Advisory issued November 7 at 2:02AM PST until November 8 at 4:00AM PST by NWS Seattle WA
Atmosphere
Air Temp
58°F
Cloudy
Wind
8 to 22 mph
ESE
Rain
14%
Today
Air Quality
13 Good
PM2.5 (fine particles) · Bellingham
UV Peak
1 Low
Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~200m
Burn-free before 11 AM & after 01 PM
Tomorrow
53°F
Light Rain Likely
Water
Water Temp
—
Next Low Tide
10:12 PM
-0.5 ft · in 3.7h
Barometer
29.95 inHg
1014 hPa · buoy FRDW1
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
7:07 AM
Sunset
4:41 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
53°
Light Rain Likely
56%
13
53°
Light Rain
97%
8
56°
Light Rain
98%
6
60°
Light Rain Likely
59%
15
58°
Chance Light Rain
54%
27
54°
Light Rain Likely
74%
11
What to Bring Today
- recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 8 to 22 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
- recommended Layers / windbreaker Only 58°F outside
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Paved day-use lots. Discover Pass required.
Dogs
Leashed dogs allowed.
Entry Fee
WA Discover Pass $10/day or $45/year.
Address
5105 Helweg Rd, Blaine, WA 98230
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Birch Bay State Park today?
Birch Bay State Park shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Birch Bay State Park dog-friendly?
Leashed dogs allowed.
Is there an entry fee at Birch Bay State Park?
WA Discover Pass $10/day or $45/year.
Are there lifeguards at Birch Bay State Park?
No lifeguards are stationed at Birch Bay State Park. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Birch Bay State Park?
Amenities at Birch Bay State Park include restrooms, showers, drinking water, campground, picnic tables, interpretive trail, shellfish harvesting.
When is the water warmest at Birch Bay State Park?
Puget Sound and the Salish Sea stay cold year-round. Surface temperatures peak in late July and August at roughly 55-62°F, and the deeper channels stay in the low 50s. Swimming is short-dip territory for most people; wetsuits are normal. Shallow, sun-warmed bays like Birch Bay run several degrees warmer than the open Sound.
Where is Birch Bay State Park located?
Birch Bay State Park is in Whatcom County, WA, at 5105 Helweg Rd, Blaine, WA 98230.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS