Tide Pools of Oregon

This page is a repost of an article I found on That Oregon Life.

What are they?

"Tide pools happen when the ocean tide retreats and leaves seawater trapped in indentations in the sand or rocks. Tide-pooling is an outdoor activity that involves heading out to explore these mini-ecosystems during low tide. This is when the small pools of seawater are exposed and accessible, enabling you to observe all the marine habitats previously hidden by the churning waves." - Tyler Willford

The Unspoken Rules

1. Leave no Trace
 Bring only yourself and pick up after yourself, do not leave trash.
2. Do Not Disturb the Wildlife
 Simple as that. Do NOT remove wildlife or intervene in any way.
3. Wear the Proper Attire for Rocks and Sand
 I recommend wading boots or water socks.
4. Learn the Times of the Tides
Always know when low tide and high tide comes in.
5. Always Watch Your Footing
 Wet rocks are slippery!
6. Never Turn Your Back on the Ocean
 Sneaker waves will take your life in an instant.

Common Species Observed

‣ Acorn and Gooseneck Barnacles
‣ Limpets
‣ California Mussels
‣ Sea Cucumbers
‣ Hermit Crabs
‣ Chitons
‣ Sea Stars
‣ Anemones
‣ Sea Slugs
‣ Turban Snails
‣ Purple Sea Urchins
‣ Various Fish Species
‣ Purple Shore Crabs
‣ Kelp and Sea Palms

Locations

Ecola State Park
Location: South of Seaside and two miles north of Cannon Beach
Difficulty to Access: Medium

Haystack Rock (Cannon Beach)
Location: Hard to miss. Look for the famously giant sea stack that was featured in The Goonies!
Difficulty to Access: Easy

Oswald West State Park
Location: 10 miles south of Cannon Beach on Hwy. 101
Difficulty to Access: Medium

Cape Meares / Short Beach
Location: 10 miles west of Tillamook on the Three Capes Scenic Route. Access is from Short Beach, one mile north of Oceanside.
Difficulty to Access: Medium

Cape Kiwanda
Location: Pacific City on the Three Capes Scenic Route (Oregon’s second Haystack Rock monolith rises out of the sea here)
Difficulty to Access: Easy to Medium

Devils Punchbowl / Otter Rock / Otter Crest Beach
Location: South of Lincoln City and nine miles north of Newport. Access to the beach is northwest out of the parking lot on C Avenue.
Difficulty to Access: Medium

Yaquina Head
Location: Turn west off of Hwy. 101 off of Lighthouse Road in Agate Beach, just north of Newport.
Difficulty to Access: Easy to Medium

Seal Rock State Park
Location: Ten miles south of Newport.
Difficulty to Access: Medium to Difficult

Yachats State Park
Location: North of the Yachats River. Turn west on Ocean Drive or 2nd St.
Difficulty to Access: Easy

Cape Perpetua
Location: Two miles south of Yachats
Difficulty to Access: Easy to Medium

Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint / Strawberry Hill
Location: Three miles south of Yachats
Difficulty to Access: Easy to Medium

Heceta Head
Location: 12 miles north of Florence at the lighthouse beach
Difficulty to Access: Easy

Sunset Bay State Park
Location: Nine miles south of Coos Bay
Difficulty to Access: Easy

Cape Arago State Park
Location: Eleven miles south of Coos Bay
Difficulty to Access: Medium to Difficult

Five-Mile Point
Location: Take Seven Devils Road 13 miles south of Coos Bay. Use the public beach access from the end of Whiskey Run Road and walk north on the beach.
Difficulty to Access: Medium

Coquille Point
Location: In the city of Bandon. Access from with the south bank of the Coquille River or the bluff on 11th St.
Difficulty to Access: Easy

Cape Blanco
Location: Ten miles north of Port Orford
Difficulty to Access: Medium

Port Orford
Location: At the Port of Port Orford off Harbor Drive, north of the boat dock.
Difficulty to Access: Easy

Rocky Point
Location: Three miles south of Port Orford
Difficulty to Access: Medium

Arizona Beach
Location: Twelve miles south of Port Orford
Difficulty to Access: Easy

Lone Ranch Beach
Location: Five miles north of Brookings
Difficulty to Access: Easy

Harris Beach
Location: Just north of Brookings, west of the campground. Access from the main parking lot by walking south along the beach.
Difficulty to Access: Easy

Winchuck Beach
Location: Take the road just parallel to the north side of the Winchuck River. Tide pools are 3/4 mile north of the parking lot.
Difficulty to Access: Easy