Overview
Neah Bay is a town of about 900 people on the northwest corner of Washington state's Olympic Peninsula. It's the most northwestern town of the contiguous United States. The whole town and its surrounding areas are part of the Makah Indian Reservation.
4 sights · 2 things to do · 6 places to eat · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Neah Bay
Cape Flattery
The far northwestern corner of the mainland US. A short 0.7 mi trail through forest leads to a lookout point that overlooks the rocky coast, Tatoosh Island lighthouse, and both Canada and the Pacific Ocean in the distanc…
Makah National Fish Hatchery
Get to know about the Pacific Northwest's love for salmon in this hatchery. Different species and life cycles of salmon can be seen at different times of the year.
Makah Museum, Cultural & Research Center
A visit to an Indian Reservation area would not be complete without learning about the local culture, with exhibits featuring the rich history of the first settlers of the area and how they cope with nature.
Fort Núñez Gaona
A small monument with an interpretive panel where the first white settlement in Washington state used to be in 1792, though it was settled for only 4 months.
Big Salmon Resort
A tackle shop that also provides boat rentals or charters for saltwater fishing and other boating necessities if you have your yacht parked at a nearby marina.
Shi Shi Beach
Deep inside the Makah Reservation is one of the few beaches on the peninsula that is flat and sandy for miles, with tidepools and vistas of sea stacks at the edge of the primordial sea. Getting to the beach requires a 2 …
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 70°F; winter lows dip to about 33°F. Wettest: Dec and Nov. (climate data from nearby Port Angeles)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- FRD Friday Harbor Airport, Friday Harbor — 74 mi away. Directions
- ESD Orcas Island Airport, Eastsound — 82 mi away. Directions
- SEA Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Seattle — 124 mi away (major hub). Directions
Neah Bay is at the west end of State Route 112. WA-112 follows the north coast from near Port Angeles, through Clallam Bay and Sekiu.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $25–$115 a night (typical $69), from 14 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$70, mid-range ~$140, comfortable ~$280.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Makah Museum, Cultural & Research Center, Big Salmon Resort, Fort Núñez Gaona
- Lunch Take Home Fish Co.
- Afternoon Makah National Fish Hatchery, Shi Shi Beach
- Dinner Linda's Woodfired Kitchen
Day 2
- Morning Cape Flattery
- Lunch Pat's Place
- Dinner The Warm House
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Neah Bay is on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, facing north towards Canada's Vancouver Island. It is close to where the strait meets the open ocean at Cape Flattery, the northwestern most point of the contiguous United States. It is north of the coastal section of Olympic National Park.
The Makah (pron.: /məˈkɑː/, from the Klallam name for the tribe, màq̓áʔa) are a Native American tribe that lives in and around Neah Bay. Their reservation on the northwest tip of the Olympic Peninsula includes Tatoosh Island. The Makah people refer to themselves as "Kwih-dich-chuh-ahtx" (Qʷidiččaʔa·tx̌) which translates as "the people who live by the rocks and seagulls".
This guide also covers the communities of Clallam Bay and Sekiu, within half an hour along State Route 112. They have a combined population of about 800 people.
A Makah Recreation Permit is required for every vehicle visiting the tourist attractions around Neah Bay. It can be purchased for $20 at the Makah Marina, the Makah Museum, Makah Mini Mart, Makah Tribal Center, and the Hobuck Beach Resort, The Cape Resort, and the Cape Flattery trailhead. It is valid for one calendar year.
Get in
By car
Neah Bay is at the west end of State Route 112. WA-112 follows the north coast from near Port Angeles, through Clallam Bay and Sekiu.
From US-101, take the intersection with State Route 113 at Sappho, 44 mi west of Port Angeles and 12.3 mi north of Forks. From the intersection it is another 37 mi to Neah Bay. WA-113 becomes WA-112 when the road turns westwards in Clallam Bay.
By bus
Neah Bay is served by Clallam Transit Route 16 from Forks via Sappho and Sekiu. The bus stop in town is in front of the Senior Center at Bayview (SR-112) & Kal-Chote.
From Port Angeles, take Clallam Transit Route 14 towards Forks and get off at Sappho (there is a gravel parking lot before the intersection with WA-113). Transfer to the #16 bus coming from Forks to get to Neah Bay.
By plane
The Sekiu Airport(11S) can be used for general aviation and air taxi. If your aircraft needs a longer runway, you may land at Forks or Port Angeles.
The nearest airports for commercial passenger flights are in Sea-Tac (SEA) and Victoria BC (YYJ).
By boat
Get around
Every attraction within the city proper can be reached on foot. You have to drive a car, however, to get to other attractions, especially Cape Flattery.
By bus
The Makah Tribe operates Makah Public Transit to provide local public transportation in and around town on a single route.
See
See Makah National Fish Hatchery
Get to know about the Pacific Northwest's love for salmon in this hatchery. Different species and life cycles of salmon can be seen at different times of the year.
See Fort Núñez Gaona
A small monument with an interpretive panel where the first white settlement in Washington state used to be in 1792, though it was settled for only 4 months.
Do
Do Shi Shi Beach
Deep inside the Makah Reservation is one of the few beaches on the peninsula that is flat and sandy for miles, with tidepools and vistas of sea stacks at the edge of the primordial sea. Getting to the beach requires a 2 mi overland hike. The beach extends into Olympic National Park, which allows overnight beach camping with a permit. Overnight private cars must be parked at a private home 0.5 mi from the trailhead for $10/night, cash-only.
Buy
There are no ATM branches from big banks in the area, though small ATMs may be found at fuel stations. Credit and debit cards are generally accepted, but carry some cash just in case.
Shop Makah Mini-Mart
This is where you can fill up your gas tank and also get some refreshments in a convenience store.
- Arts and crafts can be bought at the museum shop.
Eat
Neah Bay
Eat Linda's Woodfired Kitchen
A pizza place, but more memorable for its wood-fired oven baked salmon with potatoes and vegetables. It also houses a 2-room motel at the back.
Eat Pat's Place
Anyone visiting this restaurant comes back for its Indian frybread tacos.
Eat Take Home Fish Co.
A seemingly off-the-beaten-path shack, but don't let that deter you from coming in to smell and savor the smoked fishes sold by the pound; the type of fish varies by season but usually salmon is available.
Eat The Warm House
A more upscale option in town. Sandwiches and seafood for lunch & dinner that's on the heartier side.
Sekiu
Eat By the Bay Cafe
The only place to eat in this tiny town. Look for the jogging fish statue. Typical American cafe plus sandwiches, fish and chips and seafood.
Clallam Bay
Eat Breakwater Inn
Classic diner and local fares, midway between Clallam Bay and Sekiu.
Drink
You won't find alcohol in Neah Bay, as it is forbidden in the Makah Indian Reservation Area. The above restaurants in Sekiu and Clallam Bay serve alcohol.
Sleep
Places to sleep mostly consist of motels and small houses that are scattered throughout the area. You can choose a city-center location or a secluded beach. You are in luck if you want to enjoy the great outdoors, as many sites offer camping and RV hookups.
Stay The Inn at Neah Bay
4 room options that can cater from couples to families. 4 miles from Neah Bay
Stay safe
Alcohol and marijuana are prohibited in the Makah Indian Reservation area, although it is in Washington state where both are legal for ages 21 and above. Please do not attempt to or inadvertently bring them into the area to avoid any further hassle.
Certain species of dogs are prohibited from roaming the reservation area. Dogs are not allowed on Shi Shi Beach as it's part of the Olympic National Park.
If you are traveling in the wintertime, you are advised to check the weather forecast as it is frequently rainy and sometimes stormy. High winds can cause power outages and rain can cause mudslides. Check with your resort regarding travel advisories before you get there.
Go next
As Neah Bay is the last frontier of western Washington, there's no other way but to get back to land and explore the rest of the Olympic Peninsula.
- Olympic National Park is the main attraction of the peninsula.
- Port Angeles, the largest city in the peninsula, can be reached by taking a left on the US-101 intersection.
- Forks is straight at the same junction.
Nearby
Forks
City / town · 29 listings · 31 mi away
Olympic National Park
Park · 69 listings · 54 mi away
Port Angeles
City / town · 65 listings · 57 mi away
Stuart Island
Rural area · 7 listings · 68 mi away
Roche Harbor
City / town · 11 listings · 69 mi away
Sequim
City / town · 33 listings · 72 mi away
Friday Harbor
City / town · 27 listings · 74 mi away
Waldron Island
Rural area · 1 listings · 76 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.