Pierce County, WA · Puget Sound

Owen Beach (Point Defiance)

A thousand feet of shore on the east side of Point Defiance Park, reopened in 2022 after a $6.3M rebuild that widened the beach, replaced the seawall with a gentler slope, and added a climbable whale sculpture. Views across Dalco Passage to Vashon Island, with the rest of the 760-acre park — zoo, aquarium, old-growth trails — up the hill.

Eats & Drinks 14 Charters & Tours 5 Shops 2 Rentals 2

Today's Conditions

Skip the beach today.

NWS alert active · 54°F water · 59°F air

Full NWS forecast for Today

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Southwest wind 1 to 12 mph. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight

Rain after 7pm. Mostly cloudy. Low around 51, with temperatures rising to around 53 overnight. South southwest wind 14 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Weather

59°F air — chilly for a beach day
Cloud cover — overcast reduces uv exposure but the vibe too

Water

54°F water — cold — wetsuit or stay dry

Safety

NWS alert active — gale warning issued november 7 at 8:35am pst until november 8 at 7:00am pst by nws seattle wa

26 /100

skip

0 Swim

39 Sunbathe

64 Walk

73 Photo

Best for photography today

Gale/Storm Gale Warning

Gale Warning issued November 7 at 8:35AM PST until November 8 at 7:00AM PST by NWS Seattle WA

NWS · In effect through Nov 8, 7:00 AM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...South winds 25 to 35 kt. * WHERE...Puget Sound and Hood Canal. * WHEN...From 4 PM this afternoon to 7 AM PST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

59°F

Cloudy

Wind

1 to 12 mph

Rain

Today

Air Quality

55 Moderate

PM2.5 (fine particles) · Tacoma-Puyallup

UV Peak

1 Low

Peaks 10 AM · burn in ~200m

Burn-free before 09 AM & after 11 AM

Tomorrow

55°F

Chance Light Rain

Water

Water Temp

54°F

Too cold to swim

Next Low Tide

9:50 PM

-0.7 ft · in 3.3h

Barometer

29.96 inHg

1015 hPa · buoy TCNW1

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

7:02 AM

Sunset

4:45 PM

Moon · 5%

Waning Crescent

Spring tides — bigger range

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Nov 7

59°

Mostly Cloudy

Sun Nov 8

55°

Chance Light Rain

50%

Mon Nov 9

54°

Light Rain

99%

Tue Nov 10

58°

Light Rain

93%

Wed Nov 11

61°

Slight Chance Light Rain

17%

Thu Nov 12

58°

Chance Light Rain

42%

Fri Nov 13

55°

Light Rain

79%

What to Bring Today

critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 54°F — dangerously cold
recommended Layers / windbreaker Only 59°F outside

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Beach Info

Parking

Free expanded lot with ADA drop-off, built as part of the 2022 renovation.

Dogs

Leashed dogs allowed on the beach and the promenade.

Entry Fee

Free

Address

5605 N Owen Beach Rd, Tacoma, WA 98407

Amenities

restroomspicnic tablescovered picnic sheltersgrillskayak rentalswhale sculpture play featurepaved promenade

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Owen Beach (Point Defiance) today?

Owen Beach (Point Defiance) 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 Owen Beach (Point Defiance) dog-friendly?

Leashed dogs allowed on the beach and the promenade.

Is there an entry fee at Owen Beach (Point Defiance)?

Entry to Owen Beach (Point Defiance) is free.

Are there lifeguards at Owen Beach (Point Defiance)?

No lifeguards are stationed at Owen Beach (Point Defiance). Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.

What amenities are at Owen Beach (Point Defiance)?

Amenities at Owen Beach (Point Defiance) include restrooms, picnic tables, covered picnic shelters, grills, kayak rentals, whale sculpture play feature, paved promenade.

When is the water warmest at Owen Beach (Point Defiance)?

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 Owen Beach (Point Defiance) located?

Owen Beach (Point Defiance) is in Pierce County, WA, at 5605 N Owen Beach Rd, Tacoma, WA 98407.