Is Ocean Shores Safe for Travel RIGHT NOW? (2024 Safety Rating)

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Ocean Shores, Washington, is a charming coastal city located on the Point Brown peninsula, jutting out into the Pacific Ocean in Grays Harbor County.

It’s about a two-hour drive from Olympia and two and a half hours from Seattle, making it easily accessible for a weekend getaway.

Historically, Ocean Shores was developed in the 1960s as a planned resort community.

Initially envisioned as a luxury retreat, it saw rapid development and growth, attracting numerous celebrities and investors.

The real estate market eventually cooled, and the city transitioned into a more relaxed, family-friendly vacation spot and retirement community.

What sets Ocean Shores apart from other cities on the Olympic Peninsula is its unique blend of natural beauty, recreational opportunities and family-friendly attractions.

The town boasts a 6-mile-long sandy beach, one of the few in the region where you can drive your car.

This expansive beach is perfect for activities like kite flying, beachcombing, and horseback riding.

The North Jetty offers dramatic views and excellent fishing spots.

This is also one of the best spots to watch a winter storm roll in, with the best views coming from hotel rooms on the beach at least three stories high.

Ocean Shores is also known for amazing events throughout the year, from a motorcycle rally to a razor clam festival.

Warnings & Dangers in Ocean Shores

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk in Ocean Shores and a lot of great waterfront and family-friendly things to do here.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Grays Harbor Transit includes Ocean Shores and can take you to cities as far as McCleary and Taholah. Taxis and rideshares might be hard to find here, but there are moped and bike rentals available in town. Most people get a rental car at the airport and use that to get around.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

In the past five years, five purse snatchings and one pickpocket have been reported. While that's still a low risk, I was expecting the number to be zero. However, thefts have been down by 50-90% since 2017.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH

This is a high risk due to powerful ocean swells, tsunami risks, flooding concerns, and sneaker or rogue waves. You need to understand these risks, and I'll address many of them as we go through this article, but that shouldn't replace a full review of the emergency management plan for your safety.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Robberies are rare in Ocean Shores, with anywhere from one to three happening each year. The risk is low, and it should be kept that way by following standard personal safety practices, like not walking around at night alone.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

This is a low risk, as this is a small town on a remote peninsula. Vigilance is always appreciated, and suspicious activities should be reported to the local police immediately.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The police department and local sheriff’s office will post the latest scams on social media. I'm honestly surprised there isn't a problem with rental scams here, but I can't find any reports to that effect. The risk is low, but keep it that way by knowing the common tactics of scammers.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

This is another low-risk, and Ocean Shores is great for families, couples' getaways, and solo adventures. Just be sure that you don't let your guard down due to the low crime rates.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1. The 2024 Water Quality Report for Ocean Shores shows full compliance and no violations. It would help to review it so that you can learn conservation methods during your visit.

Safest Places to Visit in Ocean Shores

The city’s website for visitors is tourismoceanshores.com.

You can also visit oceanshores.com, but there are a lot of pop-up ads on that site.

The Ocean Shores Interpretive Center offers exhibits on local wildlife, Native American history, and the natural environment of the Ocean Shores area.

This is also where the visitor’s center is located.

The expansive Ocean Shores Beach is the main draw for many visitors.

You can drive on the sand, enjoy beachcombing, kite flying, horseback riding, paddling or just take in the stunning Pacific Ocean views.

Located at the southern tip of the Ocean Shores peninsula, the North Jetty is a great spot for watching waves crash against the rocks.

It’s also popular for fishing and bird watching.

Cross over a spit of land to Damon Point, which technically sits on the harbor but still gets the impact of ocean waves.

Four miles of trails circle the island.

Weatherwax Trail is 1.2 miles of land protected from development that skirts the edge of Duck Lake.

It’s easy to forget you’re near the beach when walking through this lush coastal forest and wetlands.

Enjoy a family day at Pacific Paradise Park, where you can enjoy an arcade, mini golf, bumper boats, and gem mining.

Look at the combo package options to make the most of your time and money.

Playtime Family Fun is another entertainment center.

There are go-karts, a roller coaster, VR games, and the Peppermint Parlor filled with carnival snacks.

Quinault Beach Resort and Casinos offers Las Vegas-style gaming with Washington scenery.

The beachfront resort has several restaurants and a spa.

Another great idea is to take the Hidden Coast Scenic Byway north to Taholah 33 miles and then do the return drive, stopping at places like Moclips, Pacific Beach, Seabrook, and Copalis Beach on the way back.

Places to Avoid in Ocean Shores

Ocean Shoes doesn’t have bad parts of town or dangerous neighborhoods.

Crime is the least of your concerns here, though standard safety precautions are always advised.

Several big events happen in Ocean Shores throughout the year.

One of the most notable is the Hog Wild Motorcycle Rally, typically held in late July.

Another major event is the Razor Clam and Seafood Festival in March.

Then there’s the Sand and Sawdust Festival in June.

While these events are a wonderful time to visit, they will also fill the city to the brim with traffic and tourists.

It’s the few times of the year the Hidden Coast doesn’t feel so hidden.

Plan as far in advance as possible before visiting these events.

I want to address tsunami concerns here, and we’ll go through a few safety steps throughout the rest of the article.

The city is situated in a tsunami inundation zone, meaning that a significant portion of its developed area could be affected by a tsunami generated by an earthquake, particularly from the Cascadia Subduction Zone.

To emphasize the risk, no matter how unlikely it is to happen during your trip, the odds of a major quake triggering inundating tsunamis on this stretch of coast is one in six.

Assuming there are 250,000 people on the beach on the day of a major earthquake, 28% would not be able to reach higher ground.

Nearly 20% would be swept out to sea or buried in debris.

Emergency management officials don’t mince words on this – when it happens, it is expected to be the largest natural disaster in U.S. history.

There’s a one in five chance that this will happen in the next 50 years.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Ocean Shores

Ocean Shores does have a local police department. You can call (360) 289-3331 to ask specific safety questions. If you prefer to email, use LESM@osgov.com. You can find the department on Facebook @OceanShoresPolice.
You have two ways to get emergency messages in Ocean Shores. First, sign up for the e-notify messages from the city. Those are only available via email. Next, visit the Emergency Management section of the county’s website to sign up for Grays Harbor County Emergency Alerts. These will include weather watches/warnings and public safety threats.
Check for burn bans or burn advisories during your visit, as this can impact your ability to light a bonfire or campfire. Camping stoves are allowed during a burn ban. You can call 1-800-323-BURN to get information about currency burn restrictions. When burning is allowed, no permit is needed for beach bonfires as long as they are not larger than three feet across.
Review the tsunami evacuation maps to know the fastest way to get out of town if a tsunami is approaching. These can happen quickly, sometimes without enough time to issue a warning. Know the signs of a tsunami, such as water receding quickly or an extended earthquake. The county’s website also has a wave simulation that shows just how badly Ocean Shores would get hit in a major earthquake that triggers a tsunami.
If you want to go fishing or clamming in Ocean Shores, you need a license from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. You can purchase that license online. If you plan to rent a boat while you’re here, please review the boating safety information and requirements for a boating safety card on certain boats.
You need to know the risks of eating clams in Washington state, as some of the toxins the shellfish carry can cause paralysis within two hours of consumption. There is no way to cook the danger out of the clams or treat the associated illness. The state Department of Health has a Biotoxin Hotline (1-800- 562-5632) and keeps an updated Shellfish Safety Map online.
Visiting during winter storms is popular, as people love to see the crashing waves coming in. However, those waves can be deadly. Do not stand on the beach if there’s any kind of advisory or warning about large waves. The power of the water is bad enough, but if a wave picks up driftwood, it can easily send that debris slamming into anything that gets in its way (like you, standing on the beach).
Sneaker waves can happen any time of the year, which means you should never turn your back on the ocean. It’s especially important to keep children and pets close by.
While you can drive on the beach in Ocean Shores, sometimes the beach is closed to vehicles. You can also mistakenly park below the high tide line if you aren’t keeping track of the tide schedules. Be sure you check the Ocean Shores tide schedule, as the same version for Seattle-Tacoma will be different.
If you see any wildlife injured or dead on the beach, do not touch them or try to help them. Call (360) 532-6237 for wildlife officials to come to their aid. In spring 2024, a dead whale washed up on shore, and officials made it clear that whales are federally protected and bystanders should not try to take “souvenirs” from the carcass.

So... How Safe Is Ocean Shores Really?

Ocean Shores is a safe place to visit.

Since 2019, no more than five violent crimes have been reported in a year.

By 2022, the number was down to one.

Thefts are also rare here, with 2022 seeing just 11 thefts – that’s an average of less than one a month.

Before the pandemic, numbers were closer to 75–100 thefts a year.

I go deeper into the crime data but suffice it to say there’s nothing that makes it appear more dangerous.

Even across Grays Harbor County, crime data is nearly 90% lower than the national and state averages.

While researching the crime data and reading recent news reports, a few things stuck out that are more about safety issues at the mercy of the weather and water.

First, there’s the problem of no high ground to evacuate to if a tsunami approaches.

A project is being worked on that could create a vertical structure for tsunami evacuations.

“The more vertical evacuation structures we can build in the most vulnerable locations along our coast, the more lives we will save when a tsunami eventually hits,” Washington State Emergency Management Division Earthquake Program Manager Maximilian Dixon said.

In another instance, a man went fishing and ended up with a shark on the line.

Plus, there’s an ongoing safety issue with people hunting within the city limits, leaving some homes and vehicles riddled with arrows.

If any of the potential risks concern visitors or newcomers, they are not evident.

The town population grew 12.5% between 2020 and 2023.

Plus, the city ranks as one of the most affordable beach towns in the U.S. by Realtor.com.

How Does Ocean Shores Compare?

City	Safety Index
Ocean Shores	79
St. Louis	58
Los Angeles	56
Oakland	57
New Orleans	57
Baltimore	56
Boston	67
Sofia (Bulgaria)	73
Siem Reap (Cambodia)	63
Phnom Penh (Cambodia)	61
Niagara Falls (Canada)	87
Calgary (Canada)	82
Buenos Aires (Argentina)	60

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. Also, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee. Credit cards, not debit cards, offer the best fraud protection.

Weather

The weather throughout the year stays cool to cold, with highs only getting into the upper 60s during summer and lows into the 50s. Winter highs will be in the upper 40s, with lows in the 30s, but not usually below freezing. Bring layers of clothing, waterproof outer layers, hiking boots, rain boots, and comfortable walking shoes. Water shoes are helpful if you plan on spending time at the beach.

Airports

Seattle Tacoma International Airport is 125 miles away, with a drive time of around two hours and 15 minutes.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects the cost of baggage loss/theft, delays, cancelations, and emergency health issues. Rental car insurance should include roadside assistance and uninsured motorist coverage. Comprehensive insurance offers the best peace of mind.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Ocean Shores Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 6° C

Feb 7° C

Mar 8° C

Apr 10° C

May 12° C

Jun 14° C

Jul 16° C

Aug 16° C

Sep 16° C

Oct 12° C

Nov 8° C

Dec 6° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	9	10	11	13	16	18	20	20	20	16	11	8
Low °C	3	3	4	6	8	10	12	12	11	8	5	3
High °F	48	50	52	55	61	64	68	68	68	61	52	46
Low °F	37	37	39	43	46	50	54	54	52	46	41	37

Washington - Safety by City

City	Safety Index
Anacortes	82
Bainbridge Island	85
Bellevue	84
Diablo	78
Forks	85
Gig Harbor	75
Kennewick	40
Kent	42
Kettle Falls	78
Longview	82
Mercer Island	82
Moses Lake	46
Neah Bay	77
Ocean Shores	79
Olympia	57
Port Angeles	72
Port Townsend	81
Poulsbo	79
Pullman	79
Quinault	82
Renton	70
San Juan Islands	83
Seabrook	78
Seattle	55
Sequim	77
Snoqualmie	78
Spokane	74
Spokane Valley	62
Tacoma	38
Walla Walla	72
Wenatchee	80
Westport	78
Yakima	62

Is Ocean Shores Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Washington : Safety by City