The roar of surf and blue horizon soothe the soul. The rocky coastline is an ocean of wonders, home to a wide variety of wildlife and natural beauty.
Tidepools, found along Oregon’s rocky shores, are unique, contained ecosystems that house hundreds of species. They are also a great place to spot sea stars, anemones and opalescent nudibranch.
Depoe Bay
In Depoe Bay, the sea is a way of life. This quaint Oregon coast town is home to the world’s smallest harbor and boasts jaw-dropping natural landscapes like Devil’s Punchbowl, Rocky Creek Scenic Viewpoint, and the Spouting Horn.
Depoe Bay is also a popular destination for whale watching. These majestic sea creatures make their annual migration to the bay every March through December. Visitors can watch them from the town’s Whale Watching Center, the beach, or charter boats.
Another notable feature of this oceanfront community is its iconic bridge. The Depoe Bay Bridge is a popular stop for road trippers and was constructed in 1927. It is only 48 feet wide and has been listed as a National Historic Landmark.
Otter Rock
Less than 50 feet beneath ocean waves crashing on Beverly Beach State Park lies an idyllic underwater world of large bull kelp forests concealing hungry seals on the hunt, and rocky shelves offering refuge for sea anemones, urchins, and rockfish. This area is part of Oregon’s first Marine Reserve and provides a diverse ecosystem for scientists to study.
Robert Kentta, cultural resources director for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, has studied Otter Rock Marine Reserve since it opened in 2008. He finds it provides a wealth of value to tribal communities and coastal ecology, including an opportunity to reintroduce sea otters.
The next section is the shortest on the trail and features a lot of flat/sandy walking. Take your time and enjoy the view!
Devils Punchbowl
The main attraction at this state day-use park is a large bowl naturally carved in a rock headland that is partially open to the ocean. Waves enter and violently churn, swirl, and foam inside the rocky bowl.
It’s hard to capture its size on camera and is even more dramatic in person. The best way to see the Devil’s Punchbowl is to visit at low tide when you can walk inside it!
Make sure to check the tide charts before going into the churning, foaming ocean. The Devil’s Punchbowl is a deadly trap for anyone caught in its currents during high tide! You can also explore Otter Crest Beach which is a beautiful intertidal zone that’s home to many sea creatures like anemones, mussels, sculpins, and crabs.
Cape Arago
Just south of Coos Bay the landscape changes dramatically as slanted sandstone cliffs rise from the ocean. This stretch of coast boasts three unforgettable state parks — Sunset Bay, Shore Acres and Cape Arago — with secluded beach coves, forested hikes, tide pool life and marine wildlife viewing.
This area is especially popular for whale watching during the winter and spring migrations. You can also spot seals and sea lions at the rocky haulouts. Look for their spotted coats and watch out for pups, especially in late spring and summer.
Cape Arago State Park offers incredible views and a clifftop trail with plenty of options for variation in length and difficulty. Note that portions of this route are only accessible at low tide and you may want to bring a pair of binoculars or a telephoto lens for the best results.