Washaway Beach sits at North Cove between Grayland and Tokeland in Pacific County on Washington's southwest coast where the entrance to Willapa Bay meets the Pacific Ocean. The name Washaway Beach accurately describes one of the fastest-eroding coastlines in the world, with the area losing over 100 feet of land per year making it the fastest-eroding shoreline on the West Coast. Ocean waves have claimed a cannery, a lighthouse that stood nearly 80 years until 1940, a school, Grange hall, post office, and innumerable homes and vacation properties over decades of relentless erosion. An innovative solution called dynamic revetment began in 2016 when David Cottrell dropped rocks to mimic cobble beaches common in the Pacific Northwest, growing into a more than 2-kilometer-long berm of rocks and stumps that shift with waves and collect sand to rebuild the beach, reducing typical 100-foot annual losses to 30 feet in 2017 and zero loss in 2018-19 despite king tides.
Beachcombing along the cobble berm reveals the dynamic coastal processes at work with rocks, driftwood stumps, shells, beach glass, and marine debris constantly rearranged by powerful Pacific waves and tides, providing unique opportunities to observe active coastal geology and shoreline engineering. Wildlife watching includes migrating gray whales visible offshore during spring and fall migrations, harbor seals hauling out on beaches and rocks, brown pelicans diving for fish, bald eagles soaring overhead, and diverse shorebirds including sandpipers, plovers, and gulls utilizing the beach and mudflats during tidal cycles. Fishing from shore yields surf perch, bottom fish, and seasonal salmon runs, with razor clam digging popular on nearby Grayland beaches when seasons open. The beach provides stark evidence of coastal erosion forces with visible remnants of structures, roads, and properties claimed by the sea creating an eerie landscape where nature demonstrates power over human development. Storm watching during winter months attracts visitors to witness massive Pacific waves crashing against the cobble berm and shoreline, though extreme caution is required during high surf conditions.
Grayland area dining offers coastal seafood restaurants and local favorites. Bennett's Fish Shack provides authentic Grayland seafood experience renowned for fish and chips, clam chowder, and gourmet burgers in relaxed family-friendly environment. Wheelhouse Restaurant features American and seafood cuisines with best clam chowder on the west coast according to reviews, offering fantastic choices with great service. Local Bar and Grill serves fabulous seafood bar-style in baskets with best clam chowder and fish and chips Friday in laid-back local joint for grown-ups with tasty food and drinks. Tokeland Hotel Restaurant and Pub creates farm-to-table menu with fresh local ingredients just north of Grayland, offering seafood and comfort food favorites in historic hotel setting. Green Lantern Tavern provides classic coastal tavern atmosphere with seafood dishes and local character.
