Rockaway Beach, Bainbridge Island
Rockaway is a half-acre shoreline park: Seattle and Cascades on a clear day, a picnic table, benches, wetlands, and stairs down to Blakely Harbor. Scuba access toward North Point and Blakely Rock. Low tide shows marine life. Not a campus. Not a walk from the ferry.
Island-wide clocks: visitor guide.
At a glance
Address
4002 Rockaway Drive NE. Half an acre on Blakely Harbor.
From Winslow
A south-east drive. Not a walk. Car, or a booked ride.
How long
20–40 minutes unless you are diving. This is a sit and a stair, not a hike.
Views
Seattle, the Cascades, harbor water. Picnic table and benches.
Tides
Low tide for marine life. Check the tide chart.
Directions
Address and map: Rockaway Beach listing. This page is how to visit.
Half an acre is the whole park.
If you want a long beach walk, that is Fay or Lytle. Rockaway is the view, the stairs, and the dive access.
Stairs, scuba, low tide
This is not Winslow’s waterfront and it is not a long beach walk. It is a half-acre pocket on the east shore where, on a clear day, you look at Seattle and the Cascades from this side of the water. Picnic table, benches, stairs down. Bring a jacket. Harbor wind is real.
The stairway is also scuba access toward Blakely Harbor North Point and Blakely Rock — underwater fissures if you dive. Bring your own gear. There is no dive shop on the sand. At low tide you can look at marine life without getting in. Check the tide chart before you come.
Getting there from the ferry
The Seattle ferry lands you in Winslow. Rockaway is the south-east shoreline. There is no tourist bus. Car, or a booked taxi / Uber / Lyft. Getting around.
What else that day
Natural pair: Blakely Harbor Park next door for the mill ruin and more beach, then Lynwood for food. Do not treat this as Winslow’s waterfront — that is Waterfront Park, on foot from the boat.
The Explore Bainbridge app
Live ferry, map from the dock, itineraries. Free. Download it on the boat. explorebainbridge.com.
FAQ
How big is Rockaway Beach?
Half an acre at 4002 Rockaway Drive NE. Picnic table, benches, Seattle and Cascades views, stairs to the water. Not a day-use campus.
Can I scuba here?
Yes — the stairway is the scuba access toward Blakely Harbor North Point and Blakely Rock. Low tide shows marine life. Bring your own gear and a plan.
Do I need a car?
Yes. South-east shoreline, not a walk from the ferry. Pair it with Blakely Harbor if you already have the ride. Do not treat it as Winslow’s beach.