Oregon’s Adventure Coast Beaches: Miles of Scenic, Unspoiled Shoreline

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Come on in, the water's warm (well, not really). But that is part of the charm here.

Oregon's Adventure Coast features the most versatile coastal destination on the Oregon Coast! There is much to love about visiting Oregon’s Adventure Coast, but the miles and miles of beautiful, undeveloped beaches may be one of our greatest natural assets. The beaches on Oregon’s South Coast are ideal for anyone searching for a quiet, undisturbed spot to watch the tide roll in and out. They are also perfect for those looking for a place to surf, swim, walk the dogs or search for hidden beach treasures.

A man and dog walk along a reflective wet beach with ocean waves and a partly cloudy sky.

Two people silhouetted against a sunset on Sunset Beach, tossing food to a flock of seagulls.

A dog leaps mid-stride down a foggy beach, leaving fresh paw prints in the sand." Informative — conveys the motion and mood of the shot; no specific location is identifiable.

A barefoot couple holds hands and runs down the beach with their dog, leaving their shoes behind in the sand.

Our pristine Pacific coastline offers so many different options. Visitors seeking a unique and personal experience can take their pick of terrain, vistas and privacy to connect with nature.

If beachcombing, tide-pooling, picnicking, whale watching, surfing and clamming or other popular pastimes are on your Oregon Coast wish list, look no further than our very own beaches and be sure to follow these tips to stay safe and protect our natural habitat. Visitors going to the beach should be aware of coastal safety hazards with the potential danger of undertows, sneaker waves, and rolling logs. Beach Safety Tips for the Oregon Coast Beach Safety Tips.

A person walks along the shore at Sunset Bay as the sun sets behind sea stacks and a tree-lined bluff.

A child crouches on mussel-covered rocks, pointing at green sea anemones in a tidepool.

Three friends laugh together around a fire pit at a wooded beach picnic spot.

Orange ochre sea star clinging to rocks amid a cluster of bright green anemones and barnacle-covered rock in a tidepool.

Best Places for Beach-combing and Tide-pooling

Below are some of our favorite spots for beachcombing, picnicking, and tide-pooling.

Bastendorff Beach

A favorite among surfers, kite flyers, beachcombers, locals, and tourists alike. You'll find plentiful, uninterrupted beach and ocean views to enjoy here. Bastendorff Beach is defined by Yoakam Head and the south jetty at the entrance of the bay and lies just a quarter-mile off the Cape Arago Highway. Never crowded and always beautiful, Bastendorff Beach is a must-see for beach enthusiasts. Address: 63379 Bastendorff Beach Road Charleston, OR 97420.

Sunset Bay State Park

A favorite among locals and tourists, Sunset Bay State Park is protected by towering sea cliffs and features beautiful sandy beaches, amazing tide pools, picnic facilities, restrooms, and campgrounds. Beachgoers will find easy access for beachcombing, bird watching, swimming, and kayaking. The aptly named Sunset Bay is the ideal location to watch the sun set after a full day on the beach. Learn more about Sunset Bay State Park. (opens in new tab) 89814 Cape Arago Highway Charleston, OR 97420.

Dramatic pink and orange sunset clouds over Cape Arago Beach, with waves washing onto a rocky shoreline below tall cliffs.

Cape Arago State Park

Tucked away below the cliffs, a short walk down the steep trails will take you to a secluded cove where tide pools and fossils can be found on Cape Arago Beach. Visitors can also enjoy whale watching, and fishing. Two trails offer excellent hiking opportunities: the south trail leads to tidepools that abound with sea life, and the north trail lets visitors view offshore colonies of seals and sea lions. The north trail is closed from March through June to protect the seal pups during birthing season. Picnic benches and restrooms are available. Learn more about Cape Arago Loop near Charleston (opens in new tab).

Lighthouse Beach

Located between Yoakam Point State Natural Site to the north and Cape Arago Lighthouse to the south. The beach is popular with surfers, kayakers, and birdwatchers and offers slight protection from cross-currents and wind due to the rocky headlands framing the beach. Since the beach does not have a parking lot, most visitors park along the Cape Arago Highway, near the Lighthouse Way intersection, and walk down a path to the beach. The beach can also be accessed via kayak, launching from Sunset Bay State Park or Bastendorff Beach County Park. Cape Arago Loop, Charleston

Horsfall Beach

Beautiful secluded beach located within the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. A great place for beachcombing with plenty of parking, lots of uninterrupted beach, and a variety of other natural amenities. Perfect for pets and kids. Horsefall Beach Rd, North Bend, OR 97459

Simpson Beach

Situated directly below Shore Acres State Park, down a winding path, you will find a secluded sandy cove protected by high cliff walls. Crashing waves, tide pools, and warm sand invite you to linger, have a picnic, or just watch the ocean. On occasion, you will find a seal or sea lion sunning on the beach. Learn more about Simpson Beach at Shore Acres State Park. (opens in new tab) 89814 Cape Arago Hwy Charleston, OR 97420

Beach-Combing & Tide-Pooling Tips

Check the Tides Charts

When beach-combing and tide-pooling it's crucial to make sure the tide is out during the time you'll be on the beach. Visit www.tides4fishing.com (opens in new tab) and/or www.tideschart.com (opens in new tab) for an easy-to-use tide chart for the Coos Bay area.

Wear Shoes/Boots with Grip

Just because it's the beach does not mean there will be any shortage of sharp surfaces and potentially harmful objects. Bring shoes with grip to ensure you'll keep your footing as you make your way down paths to the beach and to keep your feet safe.

Watch Where You Step

This tip goes hand in hand with the previous one. When the tide goes out it's likely to leave behind slick, slick seaweed. Stepping on it can result in a vicious fall and potential serious injury. Tread heavy and carefully.

Do Not Remove Attached Animals

Though the temptation may be to grab a critter you see, keep in mind that doing so can bring damage to the organism and even ecosystem as a whole.

Don't Leave Rocks Overturned

Similarly, rocks provide a crucial part of the ecosystem of many of the organisms you'll see when tide-pooling. By leaving rocks overturned you can negatively influence the ecosystem and disrupt different species.

Leave it Better Than You Found it

This one is a good rule in general but goes double when you are visiting the beaches. Pack out what you pack in. Bring a bag with you to pick up your own trash and, if you're so inclined, pick up any stray pieces of garbage you come across. Not only are you doing your part to help the environment but you're also beautifying the area for other visitors.

Bring a Camera

You'll be seeing some beautiful sights along these beach spots, we strongly recommend taking some pictures as you do so.

Adventures