In Edmonds, we’re self-aware enough to know that an Edmonds kind of day—especially of the summer variety—must include water. And as we thought about what would draw you from wherever you are and whatever important things are pulling at your limited time and attention to come play, we knew it probably involved a beach, a ferry, a fishing experience, a scuba suit, or a sandcastle. 

So, we’ve built The Ultimate Edmonds Summer Water Guide for you. Use it to plan an epic day playing on the shores of the Salish Sea. And, if you can’t fit it all into 24 hours? Come back until you check every item off the list. We promise it’ll be worth it. 

Edmonds Beaches

Edmonds has three beaches right downtown—Brackett’s Landing North and South, Marina Beach Park (this is where you’ll find our waterfront off-leash dog park, which also happens to be a non-profit), and Olympic Beach. Meadowdale Beach Park and Picnic Point are about fifteen to twenty minutes north of downtown, and very much also worth exploring. We like to hike down to Meadowdale Beach and pack a picnic when we do. Picnic Point has a shipwrecked boat that you can explore when the tide gets low enough! 

Boating and Fishing

Setting off on a boating or fishing adventure from Edmonds is just easier than it is in a lot of other places. As you’ll read about below, not only does Edmonds have one of the few public sling launches around, but it also has every amenity you could imagine: fuel docks, kind staff, access to bait and tackle, a yacht club, guest moorage slips, great food and drinks just steps from the docks, whale watching tours (more on those below, too), and a chapter of Freedom Boat Club (where you can rent boats) right at the Marina. It’s as if Edmonds wants you to come boat and fish when you visit.

Plus, if you don’t have a boat, you can easily throw a line (or a crab pot) off the Edmonds Pier, which is a destination in its own right.

Want to go out on a charter and learn from an expert? Here are a few (arranged alphabetically) that depart from Edmonds:

• Adventure Charters

• Big King Salmon Charters 

• Northwest Fishing Charters

Hop on The Edmonds Ferry

Admittedly, the ferry line gets long in the summer. Do with that information what you will, should you choose to drive onto the ferry to explore the peninsula and beyond, but also consider this: a walk onto the ferry with a side of Kingston exploration. Not only is the fare incredibly reasonable (kids float free), but you’ll enjoy lowered stress and more pocket change as you shop through one of our favorite other beach towns. Free four-hour parking at Brackett’s Landing makes the decision to walk on easy, too. Plus, the Sounder drops you at the train station steps from the ferry terminal. The ride itself is a dreamy 20-minute crossing, and if the timing and magic are just right, your boat might even have to pause for whales. 

Hazel Miller Spray Park

Located at Edmonds City Park on 3rd Avenue South, the Hazel Miller Spray Park has been entertaining families since its grand opening in 2016. This impressive water play structure has zones for toddlers, families, and teens, which means fun for everyone. The park's pump and filtration system continuously filters, purifies, and recirculates 5,000 gallons of water through various jets, spigots, and fountains, giving us all an ever-changing playground of water features. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Looking for an easy, free place to play, relax, and cool off on a hot summer day? This is it. 

The Edmonds Marina

Honestly, you could wander the Marina most of the day and never be bored. With over 650 moorage slips accommodating everything from fishing boats to luxury yachts, the marina is your jumping off point for boating and fishing, or an easy place to lean over the railing and point at every kind of water vessel imaginable. Don't miss the public sling launch, where you can watch skilled staff lift boats up to 26 feet directly from trailers—it's entertainment in itself. The adjacent Marina Beach Park (see above) is the perfect spot to relax with a book, build sandcastles, play beach volleyball, or watch your kids traverse playground equipment set against a view of the Olympics.

And, definitely don’t miss the free Sea Notes concerts all summer long.

Edmonds Underwater Park

Literal steps from Main Street and the ferry terminal lies one of Washington's most extraordinary attractions—the Edmonds Underwater Park. Established in 1970 as a marine preserve and sanctuary, this 27-acre underwater wonderland attracts about 25,000 scuba divers annually! The park has man-made reef structures and sunken vessels, including a historic 325-foot De Lion Dry Dock from 1935, all connected by the Bruce Higgins Underwater Trails—a network of fixed guide ropes that help divers navigate a habitat teeming with marine life. Critters you might see? Enormous lingcod and giant Pacific octopus, Dungeness crabs, colorful anemones, and starfish. With convenient surface facilities including parking, restrooms, changing areas, and shower stations, plus water temperatures that stay between 48-52 degrees year-round, you’ll love this accessible underwater adventure that highlights the incredible biodiversity thriving right beneath the Salish Sea’s surface.

Stock Up on Water Toys

Ace Hardware (usually) has water floaties, and Teri’s Toybox (usually) has water guns and beach toy buckets. Game on. 

Whale Watching 

Puget Sound Express departs right from the Edmonds Marina. These comfy tours take advantage of summer’s longer days and calmer seas, consistently spotting earth’s biggest marine mammals as whales follow salmon runs and feeding opportunities. Summer's extended daylight means more chances to witness other incredible wildlife beyond whales, too: bald eagles fishing, porpoises playing, and sea lions and seals basking on sun-warmed rocks and docks. 

Yost Pool

If you’re like us and love The Sandlot, you’ll understand when we say that Yost Pool, up toward 5 Corners, is just like the pool in one of our favorite childhood movies. Open since 1971 and operating year-round through a partnership between Cascade Swim Club and the City of Edmonds, Yost Pool was built on what was once an old gravel pit. It now features a massive 250,000-gallon main pool. Today, the pool has a part-time staff of around 75 and truly has something for everyone—from swim lessons and fitness classes to team training, pool rentals, and even a hot tub, which many a PNWer requires, even in the summer. 

Keep Cool In Edmonds This Summer

If you haven’t already (and even if you have), it’s time to get over to Edmonds for some major water fun. There’s really no excuse! Even if you’re somewhat water averse, you’ll love walking our beautiful beaches, looking at boats, and listening to great music. 

And if you’re ready to get wet, well, we know a few spots. 

Show us where your summer water adventures take you! Tag us in your social media posts: We’re @exploreedmondswa on Instagram and Facebook.