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

Great day for a beach walk.

58°F water

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Mostly sunny. High near 70, with temperatures falling to around 68 in the afternoon. North northeast wind around 6 mph.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. Low around 55, with temperatures rising to around 57 overnight. Northwest wind around 3 mph.

Weather

70°F air — cool but workable
Sunny skies — mostly sunny

Water

58°F water — cold — wetsuit or stay dry

68 /100

good

56 Swim

77 Sunbathe

83 Walk

79 Photo

Best for walking today

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

70°F

Clear

Wind

6 mph

NNE

Rain

This Afternoon

UV Peak

5 Moderate

Peaks 01 PM · burn in ~40m

Burn-free before 10 AM & after 05 PM

Tomorrow

66°F

Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy

Water

Water Temp

58°F

Cold

Next Low Tide

11:05 PM

4.3 ft · in 3.8h

Barometer

30.27 inHg

1025 hPa · buoy TCNW1

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

6:39 AM

Sunset

7:35 PM

Moon · 5%

Waning Crescent

Spring tides — bigger range

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Sep 9

70°

Mostly Sunny

Thu Sep 10

66°

Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy

Fri Sep 11

64°

Mostly Cloudy

Sat Sep 12

63°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

53%

Sun Sep 13

67°

Slight Chance Light Rain

18%

Mon Sep 14

69°

Mostly Sunny

Tue Sep 15

69°

Partly Sunny

What to Bring Today

recommended SPF 30 sunscreen clear day + warm temps
critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 58°F — dangerously cold

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.