Worth a short stop for dramatic lighthouse, cliff and surf views—not a conventional swimming beach. It works best if you treat it as a weather-aware scenic stop and stay well back from the water.
Buy a Discover Pass before parking
Visiting Waikiki Beach is free, but Washington State Parks requires a US$10 one-day or US$45 annual Discover Pass for vehicles parked at Cape Disappointment; buy it through the state pass program before arrival and display it in your vehicle.
MoreArrive before dusk
Cape Disappointment is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to dusk year-round, with no ticket gate or timed entry at the beach.
MoreUse the official park map
Navigate to Cape Disappointment State Park at 244 Robert Gray Drive, Ilwaco, then follow signed roads toward Waikiki Beach/North Jetty rather than relying on GPS through the campground roads.
MoreKeep well above the surf
Ocean swimming is not advised here; cold water, rip currents, sneaker waves and high tide can quickly make this small beach dangerous.
MoreWaikiki Beach is a small, sheltered Pacific-facing pocket beach within Cape Disappointment State Park near Ilwaco, at the southern end of Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula. Set beneath the cliffs and historic Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, beside the Columbia River entrance jetties, it exists as part of the park’s rugged coastal landscape rather than as a developed swimming beach; the lighthouse visible above it began service in 1856 and is the Pacific Northwest’s oldest lighthouse.
Come for an unusually dramatic short coastal stop: close lighthouse-and-cliff views, Pacific swells, the North Jetty, and especially evocative fog, sunset, and storm light. It suits photographers, lighthouse fans, careful storm watchers, and visitors already exploring Cape Disappointment; skip it for swimming, lifeguarded water, broad sand, beach rentals, or a relaxed children’s beach day, as ocean swimming on the Long Beach Peninsula is not advised.
Before you go
No. Waikiki Beach is free to visit and has no admission ticket, timed entry, reservation system or ticket line. If you park at Cape Disappointment State Park, display a Washington Discover Pass: $10 for one day or $45 annual, plus any transaction fee. Overnight campers do not need a Discover Pass for the vehicle parked during their stay. Buy the pass before parking or display one you already have; failure to display a required pass can result in a $99 fine. Official pass details: https://parks.wa.gov/passes-permits/get-park-pass/discover-pass
Access follows Cape Disappointment State Park hours: 6:30 a.m. to dusk, year-round. There is no beach gate or ticket scan, but visitors must leave by dusk and follow posted storm or closure restrictions. Official park page: https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/cape-disappointment-state-park
Navigate to Cape Disappointment State Park, 244 Robert Gray Drive, Ilwaco, WA 98624. Once inside, follow signed roads toward Waikiki Beach / North Jetty rather than relying solely on GPS through the campground road network. The beach-area parking approach is the practical entry point; there is no separately published Waikiki Beach street address. Use the official park map before leaving: https://parks.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-02/CapeDisappointmentStatePark_OverviewMap_02152023.pdf
Do not plan a swim. Washington State Parks advises that ocean swimming on the Long Beach Peninsula is not recommended. Waikiki is a small, exposed pocket beach with cold water, strong surf, rip currents, sneaker waves and tide squeeze; it has no published lifeguard season, designated swimming zone or flag system. Stay well above the active wash zone, especially during high surf or high tide. Review official coastal-hazard guidance before visiting: https://parks.wa.gov/beach-hazards
Allow 20–40 minutes for the beach viewpoint, lighthouse photographs and surf watching. Allow 1–1.5 hours if you want a slow beach walk, North Jetty views or a picnic. A half-day works well if combining Waikiki Beach with the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse viewpoint, Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, North Head, or Benson Beach.
For the most reliable walking, picnicking and sunset conditions, visit July through September; July and August are best for long daylight and dry spells but are busiest. September is often especially good, with relatively settled early-month weather and fewer visitors after Labor Day. For dramatic surf and storm photography, November through February is the second peak season, but only from a conservative distance because cold water, wind, sneaker waves and high surf are serious hazards. On summer weekends, arrive near the 6:30 a.m. opening through mid-morning for easier parking.