Port Ludlow is a small village nestled on the banks of the Hood Canal and is uniquely positioned as the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula. Spend lazy days kayaking marshy inlets, wandering beaches, or exploring well-maintained trails through forests. Plan your visit to Port Ludlow now!
About
Port Ludlow was originally a logging and sawmill community. Following the completion of the nearby Hood Canal Bridge in 1960, it became the site of resorts and planned communities attracting more affluent residents who were retired, buying vacation homes or needing a more convenient commute to the business centers on the west side of Puget Sound.
Weather and Getting There
Port Ludlow, Washington has a moderate climate with mild summers and cool, wet winters.
Winters are rainy, cloudy and relatively mild in Port Ludlow. Daytime high temperatures reach 45-55°F (7-13°C) on average, with nighttime lows of 35-45°F (2-7°C). The rainiest months are November through January, when long drizzles and downpours are normal and average rainfall reaches up to 7 inches per month. Snow is rare in the area, though light dustings may occasionally occur – usually less than an inch of accumulation. Cold winter air blows in from the Pacific Ocean, so dress in layers year-round.
Spring brings a mix of lingering showers, increasing sunny skies and comfortable warm days reaching highs around 60°F (16°C). Rainfall begins tapering off in March and April. Spring is beautiful in Port Ludlow as wildflowers bloom and trees display their bright green leaves. By May there are noticeably longer dry spells, though light rain showers still occur. Overnight lows cool to the 40s.
Port Ludlow offers the best of the Pacific Northwest during the summer. Port Ludlow’s warmest months have pleasant weather with daytime temperatures ranging from 65-80°F (18-27°C). Brilliant sunny blue skies become more of the norm with significantly less rain, though passing showers and clouds still happen occasionally. Overnight low temperatures usually remain mild in the 50s. Some humidity and rare hot days above 80°F may occur for short periods. This would be the best time for day hikes and beach activities.
Fall brings more frequent rainy days interspersed with crisp sunny days. Afternoons continue to reach 65-70°F (18-21°C) through September and cool down as it gets later into fall. The fall foliage display of vibrant autumn leaf colors also peaks from October into early November before most deciduous trees go bare for the winter. September rainfall remains on the higher side with an average of 3.5 inches.
Arrive by car or car ferry from Seattle via the Edmonds or Bainbridge Island ferry. Travel time from Seattle is approximately 2 hours when traveling by ferry. Travel time driving around the southern end of the Hood Canal from SEATAC airport is also about 2 hours.
Dining
- El Molcajete – This local, family owned Mexican restaurant features fresh ingredients and authentic family recipes.
- JR’s Sandtrap – JR’s Sandtrap is a new restaurant located on the Port Ludlow Golf Course. They cater to golfers and visitors alike with a diverse menu and beautiful views of the golf course.
- Port Ludlow Resort – Port Ludlow Resort’s Fireside Restaurant is a farm to fork, locally sourced dining experience with views of Ludlow Bay and the local marina.The menu is seasonal and is updated daily.
Festivals & Events
- Port Ludlow Performing Arts – Port Ludlow Performing Arts presents a season of six concerts/programs each year, held at the South Bay Club in Port Ludlow. The events range from musical performances to plays to comedic performances. They’re always a good time and always well received by the appreciative audiences!
- Viking Fest – Poulsbo, less than 20 minutes from Port Ludlow, is a small town founded by Scandinavian settlers in the 1880’s. The town is extremely proud of its Scandinavian heritage and Viking Fest shows that! Every May the festival highlights the best of Scandinavian culture, including a parade, music, food, and a traditional strongman competition. Don’t miss it!
- Port Gamble Country Christmas – Port Gamble also hosts an annual Country Christmas festival every December, including horse-drawn hayrides through a town sparkling with over 100,000 holiday lights, craft-making for the kids at Santa’s workshop, and Western Washington’s only holiday fireworks display!
Outdoors
Port Ludlow is a great base camp for those wanting to explore the greater Olympic Peninsula and outdoor adventures. Experience wine & cider touring, whale watching, hiking and cycling while visiting.
Things to Do
- Hiking & cycling – The Olympic Peninsula boasts some of the last old growth temperate rainforest on earth. Olympic National Park and the Hoh Rain Forest are crisscrossed with more than 600 miles of hiking and cycling trails of all levels, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers who want to experience the splendor of these ancient forests.
- Wine, cider, and mead tours – The Olympic Peninsula is home to eight wineries, two award winning cideries (Finnriver and Alpenfire), and one amazing meadery (Wilderbee Farm). There’s nothing better than spending a few days touring all of these lovely destinations, sampling their beverages (while your eyes drink in astonishing views of the Olympic Mountains), finding your favorites, and choosing which bottles you’d like to bring home with you. Come and tour them all!
- Kayak and Stand-Up Paddleboard Rentals – For the more adventurous, kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals are available from Port Ludlow Marina to launch and explore independently around Ludlow Bay and the beaches of Port Ludlow. Experience the local waters from a gentle half-day paddle all the way to a physically demanding full-day sea kayaking trip, discovering the region’s rich marine biodiversity. Bioluminescent kayak tours are also available from nearby Olympic Outdoor Center in Port Gamble during the warmer summer months.
- Whale Watching Tours – Numerous charter boat companies offer seasonal whale watching tours departing from nearby Port Townsend. The largest of these, with the biggest boats and longest range, is Puget Sound Express. These cruises take passengers along the coastline of the Olympic Peninsula to view gray whales and other marine wildlife like seals, sea lions and a wide variety of seabird species. Many operators also combine whale sightseeing with an optional stop for kayaking or hiking. In addition to whales, boat tour companies may also provide summer fishing charters or more private sunset cruises and sailing trips customized for tourists.
- Ghost Tours and Ghost Conference – Both Paradise Heights and Port Gamble Paranormal offer ghost tours, although they’re very different in nature. Paradise Height’s own Cap’n Mike will take guests on a walking tour of Old Port Townsend, sharing stories of the early history of the town and the ghosts that haunt its historical buildings, ending the evening at the century old Manresa Castle, steeped in tragedy and ghost lore. Port Gamble Paranormal leads ghost walks and investigations in the old mill town of Port Gamble, looking for things that go bump in the night.Every fall the town of Port Gamble is filled with paranormal devotees for three days as the Port Gamble Ghost Conference takes place. Classes, investigations, and speakers galore will provide all the ghostly thrills and chills you can handle!
- Golf – The beautiful Port Ludlow golf course, designed by Robert Muir Graves, offers something for golfers of all levels. The views alone of the Hood Canal, and the Olympic and Cascade Mountains make this course worth playing!
