Home to the famous “Ghost Forest,” ancient tree stumps about 2,000 years old that are visible at low tide. The beach is anchored by Proposal Rock, a forested sea stack that can be reached on foot during low tide. This quiet, uncrowded beach offers a more peaceful alternative to busier coastal destinations, with excellent tidepooling […]
Beaches for Tide Pools
Oceanside Beach
A small, picturesque beach with views of the Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge. The beach features a unique tunnel through Maxwell Point that leads to a secluded cove accessible only at low tide. This tranquil village offers a quieter alternative to more developed beach towns, with excellent opportunities for beachcombing, bird watching, and exploring […]
Hug Point State Recreation Site
Named for the way travelers had to “hug” the point to get around it at low tide before the highway was built. Features carved sea caves, a seasonal waterfall that cascades onto the beach, and remnants of an old stagecoach road with visible wheel ruts. Accessible only at low tide, the site offers fascinating tidepools […]
Harris Beach State Park
Features dramatic sea stacks, including Bird Island (Goat Island), Oregon’s largest offshore island and a National Wildlife Sanctuary. The park offers year-round camping, excellent tidepooling, and some of the warmest ocean temperatures in Oregon due to its southern location. Its position near the California border makes it an ideal stop on a West Coast road […]
Yachats Beach
Known as the “Gem of the Oregon Coast,” Yachats offers a unique volcanic shoreline where the forest meets the sea. While not a traditional sandy beach, the dramatic rocky shoreline creates spectacular wave action, especially during storms. The area is renowned for its extensive tidepools and the scenic 804 Trail that follows the shoreline, offering […]
Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site
A less crowded alternative to nearby Cannon Beach, featuring a picturesque cove with offshore rock formations. The beach offers excellent tidepooling opportunities during low tide and is a favorite spot for picnicking and sunset photography. Located along the scenic Highway 101, it provides a perfect stopping point for those traveling between the more popular destinations […]
Roads End State Recreation Site
Located at the northern end of Lincoln City, this beach lives up to its name as the point where the road ends and nature takes over. The headland creates a dramatic backdrop and sheltered area for beach exploration. At low tide, visitors can walk around the headland to a secluded cove with excellent tidepools. The […]
Birch Bay
Birch Bay is a shallow, crescent-shaped bay that warms up significantly during summer months, making it one of the most swimmable beaches in Washington. The bay’s extreme tidal exchanges can expose up to a half-mile of tidelands during low tide, creating exceptional opportunities for collecting shellfish and exploring tide pools. The 194-acre Birch Bay State […]
Cannon Beach
Iconic Oregon beach famous for Haystack Rock, a 235-foot sea stack that serves as a nesting site for tufted puffins. The beach offers excellent tidepooling, expansive sandy shores, and stunning views. The charming nearby town has art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants, making it a complete coastal experience.
Haystack Rock (Cannon Beach)
A massive 235-foot sea stack that dominates the shoreline at Cannon Beach. Protected as a marine garden and wildlife refuge, it hosts diverse sea life in its tidepools and serves as a nesting site for tufted puffins from spring to early summer. During low tide, visitors can walk right up to it to explore the […]