Continent |
North America |
Country |
Washington (USA) |
Next Big City |
Vancouver |
Next Town |
Bellingham, Blaine |
Type: |
Ocean, River Mouth |
Rider Ability: |
Beginner, Intermediate, Expert |
Features: |
Rooms, Camping, Shop, Rental, Food, Parking |
Type: |
Shallow, Flat, Chop, Small wave, Medium wave |
Hazards: |
No information |
Quality: |
Clean |
Best Tide: |
High tide |
Shallow, warm water in summer, depending on tides. Flat or small waves most days. NW winds can bring nice 1-3 ft bumps good for surfing in surf skis/SUPs. Be sure to check tide. Low tide can expose beach significantly and paddlers will need to walk to the water 1/4-1/2 mile. Great crabbing in 30ft water! Bay is shallow and has low tide exposes the sand beach across the whole bay. The green stuff is eel grass and seaweeds. Good shell hunting for Sand Dollars, clam shells, agates.
Type: |
Grass, Sand |
Size: |
Small |
Hazards: |
Road, Cars |
Beach Users: |
May, June, July, August, September, October |
Small beach.
|
Spring:
|
Normal, Thick |
|
Summer:
|
Shorts, Shorty |
|
Fall:
|
Normal, Thick |
|
Winter:
|
Thick |
Water is 45-47°F in Winter and 57-75°F in Summer. Sailing best in colder months. Wind typically light in summer months. Full wet or drysuit needed in late-Fall, Spring and Winter. Summer water is "bath tub" warm as is rolls in over sun-exposed dark sand flats - and is the hallmark of Birch Bay!
Best Months: |
January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December |
Wind Type: |
Frontal |
Best Direction: |
W, WNW, NW |
Main Direction: |
SSW, SW, WSW |
Best with W to NW. Check the Environment Canada weather report for Straight of Georgia - Nanaimo and South.
Transport |
Car, Boat |
|
Access
|
No walk |
From Vancouver drive south on Interstate 5. Take Exit 270 and go WEST on Birch Bay-Lynden Rd.. Drive about 5 miles on Birch Bay-Lynden Rd until it ends at "T" intersection with BB Water Slide to your RIGHT. Turn LEFT which takes you to the beach and park directly next to the beach.
Rules |
Other |
To park in Birch Bay State Park will cost $5 day. Lots of free parking along Birch Bay Drive, the main road along the water. In summer, both car and pedestrian traffic can be heavy so be aware when walking on the roads. Many vacation condos nearby.
Good nightlife in Vancouver....pretty good nightlife in Bellingham 22 miles south. Bars/restaurants with big decks along Birch Bay. For a great meal go north to Semiahmoo Resort. Ice Cream at Birch Bay Teriyaki, "C" Shop, Birch Bay Cafe.