Puget Sound and Washington State Waterfront Real Estate BlogRecently posted or modified blog posts in the category - Waterfront Things to Dohttps://www.washingtonwaterfronts.com/blog/Copyright WashingtonWaterfronts.com2021-09-13T04:09:56-07:00tag:washingtonwaterfronts.com,2012-09-20:1519Dungeness National Recreation AreaDungeness National Recreation Area lies adjacent to the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge on the northern coast of the Olympic Peninsula in Sequim. The Refuge is filled with eelgrass beds and tide flats that offer a haven to an abundance of migrating shorebirds in the spring and fall as well as flocks of waterfowl in the winter. The eelgrass beds also offer a nursery for the young salmon and steelhead in the area.
The star attraction in this spectacular region is one of the world's longest natural sand spits, Dungeness Spit, which serves to soften the wild waves of the sea and form a serene bay, picturesque beaches and tide flats.
While camping is not allowed directly inside the refuge, you will find a wonderful campground within the Dungeness Recreational Area that sits right at the edge, atop the bluffs overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Many sites offer stunning panoramic views of the dazzling turquoise waters. If you enjoy being lulled to sleep to the sounds of the crashing waves, this campground may just fit the bill.
Location
The Sequim-Dungeness area boasts the driest region in Western Washington with an average of just 17 to 18 inches of rain annually, or about half that of Seattle. Known for being situated in the "banana belt," the mild weather is due to its location in the Olympic Rain Shadow where the typical southwesterly winds during stormy weather bring rain to the southwestern side of the Olympic Mountains. By the time this air reaches the summit of the Olympics, most of the moisture is gone.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/628/image/family-pointing-at-olympic-mountain-range_600.jpg" width="600" height="294" alt="Olympic Mountains Camping" title="Olympic Mountains Camping" />
Travelers are often surprised to find that while it may be pouring rain in the rest of Western Washington, it's sunny and dry here.
Sequim and the entire Dungeness Valley offer a wealth of outdoor adventures and the opportunity to pick your own fresh blueberries, blackberries, strawberries or lavender. Here you can dine, or even catch your own Dungeness crab, native to the area.
Campsites and campground amenities
The campground features 64 premium campsites in a forested area with lots of privacy due to the dense undergrowth between them. You'll find about one-third spaced along the high bluff just above the water, with sites 8, 10, 12 and 13, arguably the best. While reservations can be made for sites 34 through 66, sites 1 through 33 are available only on a first come, first served basis. There are two camp host sites, occupying 18 and 21.
Sites typically offer either full shade or partial shade with a fire ring and picnic table. There are no utility hookups; however, there are two fully ADA accessible restrooms as well as coin-operated showers available. Water faucets can be found scattered throughout the area.
Campground and area activities
With such close proximity to the Dungeness Spit, many campers enjoy the activities available there. The refuge offers a bird watcher's paradise with over 250 species of native shorebirds. There are also 41 species of land mammals, including harbor seals.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/628/image/camping-in-northern-washington_600.jpg" width="600" height="478" alt="Olympic Mountains Camping" title="Olympic Mountains Camping" />
The adventurous might hike the 5.5 miles to the end of the spit to explore the Dungeness Lighthouse found at its tip; tours are available for free every day of the week. There are also numerous hiking and biking trails that can be found throughout the region while both salt water and freshwater fishing can be enjoyed in the Dungeness River, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Discover and Sequim Bays.2014-04-24T12:20:00-07:002018-08-25T12:24:31-07:00Puget Sound Specialisttag:washingtonwaterfronts.com,2012-09-20:151410 Tips for Whale Watching in Washington10 Tips for Planning a Whale Watching Trip
Whale watching on the Salish Sea in and around the San Juan Islands is a total experience for the body and soul. The minute the vessel leaves the dock and you begin to soak in the sights, smell the salty air and feel the wind in your face, a calm will settle over you. Couple that with the anticipation of seeing whales and you will find yourself primed for a great adventure on the water.<br /> <br /> We've been privileged to have found ourselves at this very amazing place many times since moving to Washington. To help with your planning a whale watching trip, here are our top 10 things to keep in mind.
1. Choosing a Whale Watching Tour Provider
Whale watch vessels come in all sizes. Do some research on the tours and the captains before making reservations. We suggest selecting a guide who is a knowledgeable naturalist so you'll have the chance to learn while on your whale quest. Bigger boats may work better for your kids as they will have more room to move around. Know your kids and their patience levels. It can be a long trip on the water, if they aren't happy.
Click here to browse our list of <a href="https://www.washingtonwaterfronts.com/washington-state-whale-watching/" target="_blank">Washington State whale watching tours</a>.
2. Watch the Weather
While it is always difficult to plan around weather, be mindful of the seasonal weather conditions and know it is always colder on the water, especially on a moving boat. Dress in light layers during the summer months and heavier layers for early spring, fall and winter.
3. Bring the Appropriate Whale Watching Accessories
Most whale watching boats do not provide accessories to look closely at the whales and stay protected from the elements. We definitely suggest bringing your own binoculars, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/628/image/10-whale-watching-tips-2_660.jpg" alt="10 Whale Watching Tips for Washington State" title="10 Whale Watching Tips for Washington State" width="660" height="471" />
4. Capture the Memories with all Your Senses
Cameras of all kinds should be included. While it's great to preserve the memories with photos, a word of personal advice - don't become consumed with getting "the perfect shot." Enjoy seeing and hearing the whales as they interact in their natural environment. You'll never forget it!
5. Bring Snacks
Similar to whale watching accessories, not all whale watching guides offer snacks to tide over a grumbling stomach. Since the trip is usually 3-4 hrs, you might want to bring some water and a snack so you can fully enjoy your adventure.
6. Don't Forget About Other Wildlife
The Puget Sound, Salish Sea, and the waters surrounding the San Juan Islands are rich with all kinds of wildlife. Be on the lookout for seals, sea lions, otters, bald eagles, and many other species of birds, land mammals, and water fowl. Whales are not the only species known for capturing the hearts of their admirers!
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/628/image/10-whale-watching-tips-3_660.jpg" alt="Whale Watching in Washington State" title="Whale Watching in Washington State" width="660" height="528" />
7. Research, Research, Research
Check out <a href="http://www.orcanetwork.org" target="_blank">www.orcanetwork.org</a> and <a href="http://www.whaleresearch.com" target="_blank">www.whaleresearch.com</a> to learn about the resident whale pods and the transients before going. Both are wonderful sites full of great information.
8. Look for Opportunities to Whale Watch from Land
If you take a San Juan Island whale watching tour that allows you to spend some time on the island, be sure to check out Lime Kiln State Park. It offers amazing opportunities for whale watching from land as the orcas love to come close to shore to play in the kelp. <a title="Lime Kiln State Park" href="http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=lime%20kiln%20point&subject=all" target="_blank">Lime Kiln State Park</a>
9. Budget Ahead
Whale tours can be expensive, so we definitely recommend budgeting ahead. Summer costs range around $89+tax for adults and $79+tax for children 12 and under. Costs for the other seasons are a bit less expensive.
10. It's Addictive!
Seeing whales will be the highlight of your trip and just to offer fair warning...it's addictive. You'll want to return again and again to see these amazing creatures once you've met them. And yes, they are recognizable and have personalities. In fact, Granny (J2) turned 100 years old in July 2011! <a href="http://whaleresearch.com/J2_Party.html" target="_blank">http://whaleresearch.com/J2_Party.html</a>
We hope you have the chance to meet her and the rest of the resident and transient pods on your San Juan Island whale watching tour.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/628/image/10-whale-watching-tips-4_660.jpg" alt="Tips for Washington State Whale Watching" title="Tips for Washington State Whale Watching" width="660" height="495" />
2012-06-19T10:06:00-07:002021-09-13T04:09:56-07:00Puget Sound Specialist