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Cool Caves of Oregon’s Coast

Cave at Bob Creek

(Oregon Coast) - So much of the joys of the Oregon coast lie in making those wild, jaw-dropping discoveries while simply aimlessly wandering the beach. Encountering objects like the surrealism and oddness of sea caves on your beachcombing jaunt does nothing short of fire up the imagination and send the brain reeling with a mix of natural science and fantastical possibilities. Kids and adults alike uncover wonder in these finds, and are left with additions to the memory of their coastal trips that are especially interesting.

They come in forms big and small – sometimes merely obscure crevices that are only found at low, low tides. Other times, they are fairly large and often recognizable. But most times, sea caves along the Oregon coast are still something you have to look for, giving it a bit of time and effort.

At Bob Creek Wayside, south of Yachats, more tide pools than humans populate this obscure but fascinating place. They really emerge at lower tides, clinging to odd, mushroom-shaped rocky blobs at the southern end.

A closer look at the cave

At this end, there's also a series of sea caves. First, you'll encounter a small one next to a huge boulder that creates a sort of arch by leaning up against the cliff. On the other side of the arch, there's a sizable sea cave that allows you to walk inside and check out the freaky debris deposited there by the tides. Water is dripping from the top and it gets a little dark, so watch the slippery stuff. You probably don't want to amble around the weird shapes at the very end of the cave, because things can get dangerous.

Just a few miles north of Bob Creek, you’ll find Neptune State Park. It’s a pretty place, lodged in the middle of forestland and rather easy to drive past if you’re not looking carefully. There are picnic tables, restrooms and a sandy beach that changes into a series of craggy, rock landmasses. Continue walking south to stoop in wonder over tide pools or check out a variety of coves between the rock masses that are cave-like, until things dead-end near a sea cave about a quarter of a mile down. You can only glimpse the cave, however. It is unreachable from here.

Way up on the north coast - a few miles south of Cannon Beach - you'll find Hug Point. A waterfall, several sea caves and a raised, grotto-like tide pool within another cave are all just a precursor to one of the coast's most fascinating spots. Not to mention that always-engaging Remnant of a road going around the rocky point.

As you first enter, you'll spot the waterfall immediately to the south of you and a sizable sea cave (this depends on the sand levels, however). Inside, it's mostly debris and cobblestones, but there are strangely shaped cracks and shapes meandering into its far end. You can wander a little ways inside, and if you look closely you may spot one of the creepy, alien-looking insects that inhabit the large cracks.

On the southern end of this beach there's a point that's normally not crossable unless the tide is sufficiently low enough. In such a case, you'll find another cove and another sea cave. There are more rock slabs to play around on, many of which are surrounded by rich tide pools.

Inside the Hug Point Cave

One of the coolest of sea caves lurks at the north end of the state park, right next to the ramp that begins the ancient road going around the point. Inside, it’s a strange and surreal space, with a large stone structure inside that sort of rounds, twists and turns its way into the top of the cave. The colors and shades of it change a little, giving the experience an even stranger flavor. You can amble around this object a bit, and there’s a smallish arch within the cave formed at the top of the structure.

Inside the tunnel looking out

A ways in between the Yachats area and Cannon Beach, there's the Three Capes Tour and the tiny town of Oceanside. There, you'll find not a natural cave but a manmade tunnel leading through the headland to a wondrous hidden spot. These days, Oceanside seems to have wound up back on the radar of tourists, so it's not completely hidden anymore. Yet it’s still one of the more off the beaten track towns of these Oregon beaches, and wild things still can be discovered.

Go through that concrete structure and there are other sea caves to explore - big and small - plus numerous interesting rocky slabs to play around and copious beachcombing possibilities. One is rather cavernous and just a little spooky.

One of many caves on Oceanside's hidden side

Other caves to look for on the Oregon coast include a few small and medium sized ones at Heceta Head, just below the lighthouse, and another small one with intricate shapes and odd colors below Cape Kiwanda that is only reachable at extremely low tides.

All these wonders and beautiful oddities call for a warning, however. Don’t mess with the incoming tides, if you’re viewing any of these at low tides. The tide will not have any mercy for you, so keep an eye on it. Stay clear completely if the tide is covering any part of the cave you’re looking at.

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