Newport Oregon Sea Lion Docks: Where to see Sea Lions
Viewing the sea lions on the floating docks along Newport’s Historic Bay Front is a quintessential Newport experience.
If there’s one thing you can’t miss when you visit Newport, Oregon, it’s visiting the sea lions in Yaquina Bay.
When you visit Newport’s Bay Front area, you’ll almost always hear the barking sea lions (except when they leave to mate). These marine mammals swim around and frolic in the bay, sun themselves on the rocks, and congregate on the floating sea lion docks.
Visiting the sea lions is one of Newport’s main tourist attractions and is completely free.
Where can I see the Newport sea lions?
The best place to view the Newport Sea Lions is from Port Dock One by the Clearwater Restaurant 325 S.W. Bay Blvd. Look for the new billboard showing you where to go. From the deck above the sea lions, you can view these huge animals from a safe distance.
You can park along Bay Boulevard or in one of the few parking lots along the bay front. Walk out onto Port Dock One. From the dock you can observe these interesting animals swimming around and vying for a napping spot on the docks. This public access is free.
Another fantastic way to watch the sealions is from The Clearwater Restaurant which overlooks the sea lion docks. Grab a table on the balcony or inside by a window and watch the sea lions while you enjoy a fantastic meal.
If you can’t make it to Newport yet, you can still view the sea lions on the webcam operated by the Clearwater Restaurant.
When is the best time of year to see the Newport sea lions?
The Newport sea lions can be seen in Newport’s Yaquina Bay year-round, except for the few weeks in the summer when they head south to warmer waters to mate.
Time of day doesn’t really matter. The sea lions come and go, swimming out into the bay to feed, and climbing onto the nearby rocks. It seems there are always some of the blubbery mammals napping on the docks.
Sadly, if you visit in late June or July, you might not see any sea lions. This is the time when these California sea lions migrate down to the Channel Islands of southern California for breeding season. It’s almost eerily quiet for several weeks, and then they start returning in late July and the familiar sounds of the barking sea lions resume.
The Newport Sea Lion Docks
The sea lion docks are maintained by the nonprofit Newport Sea Lion Docks Foundation.
The original wooden docks were installed by the Port of Newport for recreational boaters in the mid 1990s. By the late 1990s the sea lions made themselves at home on the docks and have been a major attraction on the Bayfront ever since.
The original docks have been damaged and repaired and replaced over the years.
In 2022 the floating concrete docks were damaged by a storm. The Newport Sea Lion Docks Foundation raised enough money to replace the damaged docks, securing donations from the Newport community as well as from the City of Newport and Discover Newport.
New docks were installed in 2023. These new sea lion docks are made by EZ Docks. The new advanced docks are expected to hold up better to the coastal weather.
What kind of sea lions will I see in Newport?
The sea lions you see in Newport are male California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and are all adult males or sub-adult male sea lions. The adult females and young stay in California and the males spend most of the year along the Oregon coast or further north.
Male California sea lions can grow up to 8 feet (2.5 m) long and weigh up to 1000 pounds (450 kg). The female sea lions are much smaller, at about 250 pounds (115 kg).
From the bay front, you might also see seals swimming around. These are usually pacific harbor seals, although you might see the occasional northern elephant seal.
Can I see sea lions in other places on the Oregon Coast?
If you visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium, you can see sea lions and seals up close. The indoor/outdoor tanks allow you to view them from both above and below the water.
If you’ll be continuing down the central Oregon coast you can visit the Steller sea lions at the Sea Lion Caves near Florence. The Stellar sea lions are larger than the California sea lions that frequent Newport. Steller sea lions make more of a roaring sound than the California sea lions.
You may see sea lions or seals on the rocks or sandy beaches throughout the Oregon coast.
If you do encounter these animals on the beach, do not approach them. All marine mammals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Do not disturb, harass, feed, or touch any marine mammal.
If you encounter dead sea lions on the beach, avoid them and keep dogs and horses away from them. These animals have had leptospirosis outbreaks in the past and you don’t want to spread the disease to your animals.
Per the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, “Sick or injured seals, sea lions, whales or dolphins can be reported to the Oregon State Police (OSP) TIP line at 1-800-452-7888.” You can also call the NOAA West Coast Stranding Hotline at 1-866-767-6114.
See what the sea lions are up to by following the Newport Sea Lions Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/NewportSeaLions/
Want more things to do in Newport? Check out this article: 25 of the Best Things to Do in Newport Oregon.
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