Vacation on
Hood Canal
Experience Hood Canal —
Western Washington State is home to Hood Canal, not actually a canal, but rather, a picturesque fjord that separates most of Puget Sound from the Olympic Peninsula. Hood Canal's pristine beaches and recreational opportunities make its 90 miles of waterfront much sought after by local residents and vacationers, young and old alike, and once you've experienced the magic of Hood Canal you'll have trouble finding a better choice of places to live...or vacation!
Hood Canal Waterfront Homes —
Hood Canal, surrounded by beautiful waterfront homes with the spectacular Olympic Mountains as a backdrop, has many recreational opportunities, from beachcombing to yachting, and is the ultimate in seafood gathering experiences. Residents and visitors alike share in the great fun of gathering Geoduck, oysters, clams, mussels, crab, and many spend the long summer days beachcombing the Canal's winding saltwater shores.
If you're going to play in the water, Hood Canal is the place to be, whether you live here or are vacationing in a waterfront vacation rental. While the waters of Puget Sound seldom exceed 60 degrees, Hood Canal's mid 70's water temperatures during the warmest months of the summer make Hood Canal ideal for swimming, sailing, diving, waterskiing, and just about any other water sport you can think of.
A Bucket, A Glove & an Oyster Knife —
It's fun to sit and watch as long time residents pick their way to the oyster beds that line the shores of Hood Canal. A bucket, a glove and an oyster knife, along with a craving for the best oysters on the west coast are all that are needed for harvesting dinner. Sometimes you'll even get to witness what some might think of as the best way to eat an oyster...raw, right there on the beach!
If Washington State is your vacation destination and you think you might like to try your hand at getting your own shellfish while you're here, you may purchase a one day non-resident shellfish license for ages 16 and over for as little as *$14, while a five day non-resident shellfish license runs *$34. (*prices subject to change)
Hood Canal is enjoyable year round, and it's beaches and docks are often resting places for many migratory bird species and the always entertaining seals and bay otters. Beautiful blue herons spend their days fishing on Hood Canal and it's not unusual to drive the North or South Shores and see one or two of them resting on a piling or dock.
Getting to Hood Canal —
It takes about an hour and a half to reach lower Hood Canal from Seattle or Everett, less from Tacoma. To get there, take the ferry from Edmonds, Seattle/Bainbridge, Seattle/Bremerton, Fauntleroy, or drive north over the Narrows Bridge. Regardless of your route it takes about the same amount of time - 1.5 hours via Hwy 3.
Its unparalleled beauty and solitude, clear swimming waters, and the fact that it has never been the scene of heavy industry, along with its wealth of seafood makes Hood Canal the ideal place to live, vacation, or visit!