Oregon Coast Tide Pools Guide: When and Where To Go

Up and down the Oregon Coast, you can explore tide pools teeming with fascinating marine life. A visit at low tide reveals multi-colored sea stars (aka starfish), tentacled sea anemones, scurrying hermit crabs, purple sea urchins, tiny fish and other interesting sea life. 

Let me show you where the best tide pools are, and some tips for making the best of your tide pooling adventure.

What are tide pools? 

Tide pools are small pools of seawater left behind in rocky areas when the tide recedes. These pools create a temporary home for marine life that must survive both underwater and exposed conditions. Many animals can also be seen clinging to the surrounding rocks, making the entire intertidal zone part of the tide pooling experience.

Tide pools are part of the intertidal zone, where marine life must adapt to constant change, sometimes submerged in ocean water and other times exposed to sun, wind, and air.

What kinds of wildlife live in the tide pools?

A common type of sea creature you’ll see in Oregon coast tide pools is the sea anemone. When the tide is low, you’ll often see mussels and barnacles that are attached to the rocks. Interspersed between these animals you are likely to spot ochre sea stars. Small fish dart around in the pools but like to hide under the rocky edges or under seaweed. Snails often cling to the rocks in clusters. When you find loose snail shells, they may be inhabited by hermit crabs. Tiny crabs can be spotted climbing in and out of crevices in the rocks or between mussels. Sea urchins are less common, as are sea cucumbers and sea slugs. If you’re really lucky, you might spot an octopus swimming around. These animals live in a variety of kelp and seaweed. 

When is the best time to visit the tide pools?

You’ll want to be there an hour or 2 before low tide. Pick up tide charts at local businesses or check out apps such as Tide Alert by NOAA or usharbors.com. 

I like to pick up a free tide table booklet for the area I’m visiting. (Tide levels and times vary between different locations along the coast). 

Once you learn to read the tide schedule, it’s easy to get a big picture of when the low tides will be. Then check the websites for the most up to date tide times. 

Watch for “negative” or “minus” tides when the tide is extra low, and you can walk out further and see more tide pools revealed. These extremely low tides are most common in the summer. 

If you’re not around for a very low tide, don’t worry. A regular low tide will still reveal many cool tidal pools. 

Avoid visiting the tide pools at night. The rocks can be sharp and slippery and the ocean waves can sneak up on you in the dark.

Where are the Oregon Coast tide pools?

The best places to find tide pools are in rocky areas. At high tide, these pools are covered by water and you can’t see the hidden world of the intertidal area. When the tide goes out, pools of sea creatures are revealed, as well as the animals clinging to the rocks. 

You can find tide pools up and down the Oregon Coast, so it’s easy to find some near you. 

Oregon State Parks has a nice brochure called “Oregon’s Rocky Intertidal Areas” with a map of tide pool locations. Pick one up at a visitor center or access the brochure here.

Some Places to Explore Tide Pools

From north to south:

Ecola State Park

Two miles north of Cannon Beach.

Haystack Rock

In Cannon Beach, the famous Haystack Rock towers over tide pools. This is a popular spot for tide pooling because of the easy access. You can walk right up to the tide pools at low tide. 

Hug Point State Recreation Site

Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site

Cape Kiwanda (Pacific City)

At the beach in Pacific City, this is my favorite area to explore tide pools. You’ll find the tide pools on the north side of the beach in the rocky areas at the base of the dune. At low tide, you can walk right up to some of the rocks and see the clinging sea life. 

Parking at Cape Kiwanda is $10. This is run by Tillomook County, not the Oregon State Parks, so your state park pass won’t work here.

Alternatively, explore the tide pools on the north side of Cape Kiwanda from McPhillips Beach. 

Lincoln City

Lincoln City’s long stretch of sandy beaches doesn’t shelter as many tide pools, but they’re still there. Check out the rocky areas at NW 15th St. Beach access or near the Inn at Spanish Head.

Road’s End at the north end of Lincoln City has nice tide pools, but it’s a longer walk from the parking lot.

Fogarty Creek

Just south of Lincoln City, Fogarty Creek is a good place for visiting tide pools with small children or dogs. Rather than a series of rugged rocks, you can walk right up to the rocks jutting up from the sandy beach. The tide pools are at the bases of the rocks at the south side of the beach. You won’t find the most extensive tide pools here, but they are easily accessible. Park at the parking area and walk the short path under the highway to the beach.

Otter Rock

Otter Rock is between Depoe Bay and Newport, near the Devil’s Punchbowl. Park at the west Devil’s Punch Bowl parking area. Walk north on C street to the 3rd street access down to the beach. This trail is sometimes washed out, so it can be kind of a climb/jump to the beach. Walk south to the tide pools. We have found a lot of small agates in this area too. 

Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

North of Newport, Yaquina Head is famous for the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. But this area also has some great tide pools. It’s easy to spend an entire day here. Start with the interpretive center which has an interesting little museum. Explore the lighthouse and listen to the unique sounds made by the waves on the cobble beach, Make sure you plan your activities around being at the tide pools at low tide.

This is not an Oregon State Park, but is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. This is a fee area. $7 per car, good for 3 days. I was happy to discover that my America The Beautiful national parks pass was valid for entry here. 

Seal Rock State Recreation Site

Seal Rock, south of Newport, has extensive tidal pools. There is often a park ranger around who can help you identify animals in the tide pools, as well as the interesting variety of sea birds who nest in the large rocks in the area. The large row of rocks keeps larger waves from washing in, so the tide pools are pretty calm. 

On our last visit, in addition to tide pool animals, we saw harbor seals, a heron, and oystercatchers. 

Yachats State Recreation Area

Tide pools in Yachats can be found at the end of 2nd St. or Ocean Drive. Yachats has more rocky shores than sandy beaches, so there are plenty of tide pools in the area. 

Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

Cape Perpetua is a great place to spend a day. This fee area is $7 per car, not per person. This is another place that accepts the America the Beautiful pass. Like the Yaquina Head Outstanding Area there is a lot to see and do in this area for your 7 dollar parking fee. Park in the parking lot, visit the nice visitor’s center, and take the well-marked trails to tide pools. The tide pools are in the eastern boundary of the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve. 

Thor’s Well, Spouting Horn and Devil’s Churn are best at high tide and of course, the tide pools are best viewed at low tide. Plan your day around the tides. (It’s about 6 hours between low tide and high tide). 

Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint

There are four different pull-outs in this area along highway 101. Neptune or Strawberry Hill are the best for tide pools. (Google Maps knows this area is south of Cape Perpetua. Apple Maps seems to think this is in the Yachats city limits. Apple Maps is wrong).

Shore Acres State Park

Follow the trail to Simpson Cove for the best tide pool viewing. 

Sunset Bay State Park

South of Coos Bay, near the Cape Arago Lighthouse.

Harris Beach State Recreation Area

​North of Brookings. Work your way over the rocks on the south side of the beach. 

What should I wear for tide pooling?

I like to wear sneakers I can get wet, or closed toe river sandals. The tide pool areas can be slippery and the rocks and shells can easily cut your feet. (I have a scar on my toe to prove this point). Flip flops aren’t a good idea. Rubber boots can be useful for wading through wet areas, but make sure they have good traction. 

Polarized sunglasses help to decrease glare off the water surface so you can see into the pools. 

Depending on the weather, wear shorts or pants you can roll up to keep dry. 

The lowest tides are often in the morning, and it can still be cool outside, so a hoodie or jacket is a good idea. (A hoodie is always a good idea at the coast where even in summer it can be cool and windy). 

Tide Pooling Safety

Don’t turn your back on the ocean. Stay aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to the tide coming in. Watch for sneaker waves. 

Watch your step. The intertidal zone can be slippery with seaweed and sharp with mussels and barnacles.

Wear sunscreen. Even on a cloudy day, you can get sunburned. 

Tide Pool Etiquette

Take care when visiting the fragile ecosystems of the tide pools. 

Try to only step on the sandy beach or bare rock around the tide pools, to avoid injuring the sea life. 

Don’t pick up any of the creatures, or pry them from the rocks. 

Always return rocks to their original position if you move one while exploring.

Keep your dog from disturbing the sea animals. 

Oregon Coast Aquarium

The Oregon Coast Aquarium has touch pools where you can actually touch the creatures of the tide pools. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about these sea creatures and get a closer look at sea stars, anemones, sea urchins and even sea cucumbers. While touching animals is not allowed in the wild, the aquarium’s touch pools provide a safe, educational way to experience tide pool species up close.

And of course, while at the aquarium, visit the cute marine mammals such as otters, sea lions, and seals. And don’t miss the tunnels where you can walk through giant tanks of fish and sharks. 

​Tide pooling on the Oregon Coast is a chance to slow down and explore a hidden world that only appears for a few hours each day. With a little planning, the right footwear, and respect for the fragile intertidal ecosystem, you can have an unforgettable experience whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth. Check the tides, keep an eye on the ocean, and take your time. There is always something new to discover between the waves.