Mikes Beach Resort: A Hidden Gem of the Olympic Peninsula

Looking to stay on the Hood Canal and get the perfect cabin or glamping experience? We found it at Mike’s Beach Resort! Located just north of Hamma Hamma on the Olympic Peninsula loop, this coastal destination was incredibly idyllic and transported me to another world. Whether you come to camp or bring the family to a cozy cabin this resort is the perfect getaway for recharging. Plus if the beach was not enough, they are known for their farm to table oysters. Come join Kinley of Gals Need Pals and myself for an overnight experience on the water. Oh, and as a special treat Mike’s Beach Resort gave us the code galsneedpals for a discount!

Mike’s Beach Resort

Before we get into the fun of the trip, we had to share our lodging! We were lucky enough to receive a gifted stay at Cabin 2 where we had ample room for two girls. This space had 2 large beds, a kitchen nook and a fully functioning bathroom with a shower. The best part of the space was definitely the window, it overlooked the water and was positively mesmerizing. We wish we brought snacks to enjoy in the room (we did not plan well!) since we had a small stove, microwave and mini fridge. This would be perfect for sandwiches, little treats and anything you may want to fuel yourself for a days adventure.

Other highlights of the cabin were the TV above the beds and the smattering of pamphlets for us to read. I enjoyed learning more about the area through these booklets and was thoroughly impressed with how clean and nice everything was. They even had a little table outside of the room which I used to write and relax during sunset. Pro Tip, bring a book or journal for this area. I was incredibly inspired in this environment and was lulled by the waves and how quiet the space was overall.

Olympic Oyster Shucking Class and Tour

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One of the coolest parts about this experience was going on an oyster tour on the property and learning about the history of oysters in the Pacific North West. Our guide Matthew who is the husband of the owners daughter took us on a fabulous adventure to the water and showed us his oyster farm. He taught us about the indigenous uses for oysters including nutrition of course plus the shells were crafted into weapons and even used as currency! Alongside the lesson we discovered oysters were found deep in the Olympic National Rainforest after indigenous populations brought them to their shelters from the canal. My inner history nerd was obsessed and the joy Matthew exuded made the experience all the richer.

After we saw where the oysters came from and learned about his farm, it was time to learn how to actually shuck oysters. I have only tried them a handful of times at restaurants in Olympia WA but never have I ever found myself shucking oysters. It was a rather simplistic process, just jimmy open the end of the oyster then crack open the right side like a rainbow. The final step is to detach the meat from the shell and you are set! While July is not the best time to eat oysters raw, we did have a blast learning this new skill and spending time on the beach. If you have not spent an afternoon in northwest Washington, you seriously need to go once in your life.

Dinner at the Halfway House

Halfway House: 41 Brinnon Ln, Brinnon, WA 98320

While our lodging was based in Lilliwaup, the top dining recommendation was up north in Brinnon. About a 15 minute drive from the resort, this quiet town was perfect for a cozy dinner amongst friends. We popped into the Halfway House which was located right off the main road. Known for their pies, this friendly diner was perfect after a long day. We each got a sandwich and processed the fabulous afternoon we just had. I highly recommend the cheesesteak if you want something filling and memorable.

If diner fare isn’t your speed, opt for the local dive bar up the road called the Geoduck restaurant and lounge! This space looked super fun and if we were in the mood for drinks we would have easily found ourselves there. I was impressed overall at the dining options and found the whole experience to be rather quaint and fun. It’s definitely a different change of pace for my city girl heart!

Pro Tip: if you find yourself with a flat tire in these parts, Brinnon is not the place to fill a tire with air. We noticed one of my tires was flatter than its counterparts and unfortunately the gas station across from Halfway did not have an air pump. They did however have propane if you need that!

Try the Sea to Suite Oyster Kit

Our fresh oysters with a homemade mignonette!

The next day, Kinley and I found ourselves with oysters once again but this time we were testing out the resorts oyster delivery add on. Should you be bringing a date, this box comes with a ton of oysters on ice plus a recipe to make a mignonette for a fabulous dining experience. It was such a hoot cooking and preparing a snack in the comfort of our cabin. This is reserved typically for October during their peak oyster season but if you are able to acquire the oysters another time of year we really do recommend it. We were able to put our shucking skills to the test and the overall presentation was stunning. When you stay at Mike’s this is a must see!

Other Olympic Peninsula Recreation Plus Luxury Glamping

The glamping village across from the resort

When planning your stay there is so much to do on the peninsula! Unfortunately it was a quick trip for Kinley and myself so we were limited on our activities. Next time find me staying at a glamping tent seen above (they are under $200 a night!) and exploring one of the many trails nearby. I love walking through the pacific rainforest and enjoying the solitude that comes from this part of the world. Having grown up nearby it takes me back to the walks my friends and I would go on as teens.

Another perk to the glamping village is access to Olympic creeks and a natural cold plunge! The whole area was so well preserved and clean I was rather impressed. After your plunge use their heated shower to warm back up and consider heading to the canal for kayaking or diving. While they do not offer diving lessons the resort does provide air. Diving sounds particularly cool because octopi live at the bottom of the water there!

Other experiences in the area are guided fishing tours, nature cruises and of course the Olympic National Park. Consider backpacking, hiking and immersing yourself in the peaceful nature for a weekend. The weather in mid July was lovely and it was a weekend I will never forget.

Safe Travels to Mike’s Beach Resort

I hope this post inspires your next trip to the Olympic Peninsula! It was about a 2.5 hour drive from the Seattle area but well worth the trek in my opinion. If you’re from my hometown of Olympia, the drive is only an hour and it was absolutely stunning. Growing up I used to visit the nearby Hoodsport with my family and the whole trip is incredibly picturesque. If you are a Washington native or looking to plan your next trip to the PNW, I hope this post inspires you! For more content, be sure to stay connected on Instagram and TikTok.

Until next time,

Lauren

24 Hours on the Olympic Peninsula