Last week, I spent a day out on the Olympic Peninsula with my friend Jon exploring the Hoh Rainforest and one of my favorites, Ruby Beach. Ruby Beach is one of the more remote road-accessible beaches in Olympic National Park. It’s at least an hour from anywhere, which might be why it doesn’t get quite as much attention as the beaches near La Push. I think it is one of the more photogenic beaches in the park.

The highlight of Ruby Beach is the view of Abbey Island, situated just offshore and actually accessible at low tide. In front of the island are a few tide pools as well as a small and relatively sheltered bay that can create some amazing reflections, especially at sunset. The trick to shooting this area is to bring hip waders, as you have to cross a fast-flowing creek on the beach to get to this spot. Once that is done, it is often necessary to stand in the water to get the best reflections. The results are worth it though, as it’s a stunningly beautiful scene.

Besides Abbey Island, this area has several interesting sea stacks, tide pools, sandy beaches, rocky beaches, and more to keep everyone entertained. Offshore are several more sea stacks as well as Destruction Island, with its lighthouse easily visible from the beach. It’s one of those places that you can spend hours sitting in the same place and feel like you haven’t seen everything that spot has to offer. Really a must do on the coast.