The Central Oregon Coast is known for panoramic vistas and breathtaking views around every bend, but have you ever looked at it from a different perspective? Tide pools allow us to zoom in from the big picture and examine the fine (and frequently astonishing!) details of life on the Oregon Coast. From Lincoln City to south of Yachats, there are an impressive number of areas to discover sea stars, anemones, limpets, crabs, sea slugs in their natural habitats — keep reading if encountering all manner of uncanny, colorful sea life sounds like fun to you!
Before venturing into the wild world of sea stars and nudibranch, be sure to follow a few guidelines to ensure safety for you and the environs:
- Be aware of the tide: For safety and maximum viewability, allow 1-2 hours prior to high tide to explore tide pools. Most SHVG rentals provide a tide chart for your easy reference. You can also check the local tide schedule at NOAA Tide tables and Oregon State Parks tide charts.
- Don’t turn your back to the ocean: Despite their beauty, Oregon beaches can be wild places. The ocean is unpredictable so practicing situational awareness (paying attention to the water, the weather and other important aspects of your environment) is key to having a safe and fun time.
- Wear appropriate footwear: Intertidal zones are a combination of rough, craggy surfaces and slippery textures like seaweed, kelp and/or sea moss. Slipping is a definite probability so wear appropriate shoes (rubber boots, waterproof hiking shoes, etc.) to avoid injury.
- “Leave only footprints, take only photographs.” While tidepools are usually tucked into rugged and rocky outcroppings, the sea life in and around them is extremely fragile. Sea stars have only recently begun to repopulate after years of die-off — please do not touch or remove sea creatures from their natural marine habitats in the wild. Going easy on the environment around tide pools ensures everyone an opportunity to enjoy these unique places.
Now where to find these awesome tide pools? Read on and save this list of our favorite tide pools on the Central Oregon Coast for your next visit!
Lincoln City
- Roads End State Recreation Site
- NW 15th Street Beach
- 35th Street Beach Access
- Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint
- Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area
There is also the opportunity for guided tours of tide pools through Tide Pool Explorience
Depoe Bay
- Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint
- Otter Rock Marine Reserve (via Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area)
Newport
- Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area ($7/vehicle day use fee required)
Seal Rock
Yachats
- Smelt Sands Recreation Site (connects to the 804 Trail)
- Yachats Ocean Road State Natural Site
- Cape Perpetua Scenic Area (via the Captain Cook Trail, $5/vehicle day use fee required)
- Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint (which includes 4 separate pull-offs on Hwy. 101)
- Gwynn Creek
- Neptune North
- Strawberry Hill
- Bob Creek
Arrived on a rainy day? Don’t worry! If the weather is too inclement, you can get an in-depth (and much drier!) tidepool experience at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.
Where to stay during your tide pool adventures? With Sweet Homes Vacation Getaways, of course! Visit us to book a sweet home to relax in during your explorations of Oregon Coast’s incredible tide pools.