10 BEST Spots for Wildlife at the Oregon Coast (Helpful Guide)

If you’re on the hunt (not literally, of course) for wildlife at the Oregon Coast you’ve come to the right place. I’m Antonina, a lifelong Oregon local who spent most of my childhood summers trying to find the best spots to see seals, sea lions, whales, birds and practically any non-human creature with a heartbeat at the Oregon coast.

Over the years I’ve seen it all (if only I’d had my camera with me the time I saw puffins!) and am more than happy to share what I’ve found with you. This list is the result of more than three decades exploring all the incredible wildlife at the Oregon Coast. If there’s any spots I missed that should be included, please drop me a comment. Finally, please respect these animals and enjoy your time observing them.

Now grab your binoculars and onto the good stuff!

Oregon Coast Wildlife

(Click here for the table of contents)

Table of Contents: Where to See Wildlife at the Oregon Coast

Oregon Coast Wildlife

Oregon Coast Wildlife
List of Best Places to See Wildlife at the Oregon Coast
Map of Oregon Coast Wildlife Sighting Spots
- Explore More at the Oregon Coast

NOTE: It probably goes without saying, but remember to keep a safe distance between yourself and the various Oregon coast wildlife you’re bound to see while visiting. Not only are the seals and sea lions at the Oregon coast protected by the Marine Mammal Act, but they’re known to get aggressive when approached. Both state and federal laws prohibit feeding, touching or disturbing marine mammals.

Two Quick Tips for Oregon Coast Wildlife Viewing

Sunscreen: Make sure to pack sunscreen before heading out to the coast. Here’s the (only) sunscreen I use, I discovered it in France 6+ years ago and buy it in bulk. You’ll never catch me without it.
Binoculars: You can get away without them but if you’re like me and want to see the details here’s the pair I use.

Sea Lions

I can’t think of the coast without an image of a lovable sea lion popping into my head. Sea lions are perhaps most common charismatic variety of wildlife you’ll find at the Oregon coast. You don’t need to go far to find these chatty mammals lounging on sandy shores, hanging out on piers, or playing in the various bays along the shoreline. I find that the best spots to see sea lions at the Oregon coast tend to be around bays.

If this is your first time seeing sea lions on the Oregon coast, prepare to hear their large “barks.” It can be a bit startling at first. You’re bound to find children mimicking the sound if you’re near a high-trafficked pier (I have so many memories of doing this myself as a kid – thank goodness the video camera wasn’t rolling those days).

Likewise, Oregon coast sea lions are massive! Mature males weigh an average of 700-800 pounds, so even if somehow you miss their loud barks, their size makes them doubly hard to miss.

where to find sea lions in Oregon — Sea Lions on the Oregon Coast

Where to See Sea Lions at the Oregon Coast

The following are the best places to find sea lions at the Oregon Coast:

Cape Arago State Park (Coos Bay)
Sandbars near the mouth of Alsea Bay
Nehalem Bay State Park
Salishan Spit near Siletz Bay Park
Netarts Bay
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Coquille Point (Bandon)
Sea Lion Caves
Depoe Bay harbor (not too many but they’re there)

Sea Lions at Cape Arago Cliffs State Park, Coos Bay, Oregon | Shutterstock

Best Time to See Sea Lions at the Oregon coast

The Oregon coast sea lions are permanent year-round residents. You can find them at the coast every season of the year, practically every day of the week. As such, there’s no need to time a trip around a special time for those wondering where to see sea lions at the Oregon coast.

Seals

Seals are also some of the most common charismatic wildlife you’ll see at the Oregon coast. Less prolific than the sea lions at the coast, seals are smaller and less noisy. Of these, the most common type of seal at the Oregon coast is the Harbor seal. For reference, the average male harbor seal weighs about 300 pounds and caps out around 6 feet long while the average sea lion (as mentioned) weighs in at an impressive 800 pounds and clocks in at 7-8 feet long.

Regardless, both the sea lions and seals belong to the same family called “pinnipeds.” A few differences you might observe are seals are more docile and tend to wriggle on their bellies on land, whereas sea lions “wobble” using large flippers to get around.

Where to Find Seals at the Oregon Coast

You’re most likely to find Harbor seals in bays and estuaries (where the river dumps into the bay) because they prefer to lounge on rocky headlands and soft beaches. These cute little guys have taken up residence along the entire coastline and as avid fishers, love to hang out around good fishing areas.

Personally speaking, I’ve had the best luck seeing Oregon coast seals at the northern tip of the coast. You might notice that seals love to huddle in small groups when resting ashore.

Here’s my list of the best places to find seals at the Oregon Coast:

Shell Island of Simpson Reef
Salishan Spit in Lincoln City
Alsea Bay (Waldport)
Shore Acres Park (Coos Bay)
Nehalem Bay
Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge (Oceanside)

Best Time to See Seals at the Oregon Coast

Much like the sea lions mentioned earlier, you’ll see seals at the Oregon coast year-round. But head’s up: You’ll find cute pups during the spring months (births peak in mid-May).

And similar to sea lions at the Oregon coast, baby seals will be left on the beach for extended periods of time while their mother fishes. You know the drill: don’t approach and call 1-800-452-7888 if you’re in a high traffic area and think other folks may approach the seal.

Don’t Approach Baby Seals

It’s quite common to find baby seals (called pups) that may appear to be abandoned, but don’t approach. Young seal pups are left along for long periods of time while their mother hunts, so odds are the baby seal is just fine.

I’ve seen plenty of concerned folks (over the years) try to approach the baby seal in an effort to help, but that opens up a whole can of worms. The sea lions at the Oregon coast are wild mammals and shouldn’t be comfortable around human contact, otherwise they can learn to approach folks and can get aggressive.

If you are concerned about a baby sea lion that looks abandoned, call local authorities at 1-800-452-7888. The Oregon coast wildlife professionals will assess the situation and decide whether to put up warning signs around the area to avoid endangering the animals.

Trust me, I’m not making this stuff up. Tragically, endangered baby seals die at the Oregon coast all the time because of human impact.

Yawning Elephant Seal Oregon Coast | Shutterstock

Elephant Seals

It doesn’t happen often, but every once in a while lucky beach-goers stumble across one of the rarest wildlife viewing opportunities at the Oregon coast, the Elephant seal. These bad boys weigh as much as 1,300 pounds and can grow to lengths of 13 feet (imagine!). If you’re keen to see them for yourself, swing by Shell Island at Cape Arago State Park, specifically Simpson Reef, you never know — you might just get lucky.

Whale Watching

As a kid, the most common Oregon coast wildlife activity we’d participate in had to be the endless hours spent whale-watching. My parents were good sports and probably gave us credit for seeing a lot more ways than were out there which made it all the more exciting.

Those wishing to see whales at the Oregon coast will be happy to learn that migrating season is quite long lasting from late December through early April. During migration, whales use the area to feed and breed calves while en route to Alaska.

The most common species of migrating whales found at the coast are gray whales, orcas, sperm whales, and humpbacks. Keep your eyes peeled for impressive spouts that reach heights of 12 feet. If you’ve got decent eyesight, you’ll probably be able to see these spouts without assistance, but for the full experience pick up a pair of binoculars (these are the binoculars that I use).

The whale you’re most likely to see cruising the Oregon coast is the Gray whale, which surfaces 3-5 times for air before diving deep into the ocean and exposing its massive fluke (tail) to onlookers. One of the reasons for this is that Oregon is home to a resident population of around 200 gray whales that live off our shores almost year-round.

If you’re looking for a best time to visit, Oregon State Parks designates an entire week in late March for whale watching at the Oregon coast. Volunteers are on hand to answer questions from enthusiastic on-lookers.

Further Oregon Coast Wildlife Reading: My Tips for Whale Watching at the Oregon Coast

Where to See Whales at the Oregon Coast

The following are the best spots to see whales at the Oregon Coast:

Whale Watching Center observation deck in Depoe Bay (FREE)
Fort Stevens State Park
Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint
Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint
Ecola State Park
Yaquina Heaad Outstanding Natural Area
Umpqua Head Outstanding Natural Area

Best Time for Oregon Coast Whale Watching

In addition to the 200 resident gray whales at the Oregon coast, you can expect to find an influx of whale watching opportunities during these times:

Migrating season (December & January): Mexico-bound gray whales
Migrating season (March – early April): Alaska-bound gray whales
Mid-April: Orcas
Summer: Oregon’s resident gray whales linger close to shore around the Central Coast

It probably goes without saying that calm days are the best days for whale watching at the Oregon coast. Coastal winds are brutal and suck the fun out of everything. However, the indoor viewing area at the Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay may offer some respite from windy weather.

If interested, my husband and I recently visited Hawaii during whale migrating season and got to experience a mother and calf playing in the sea. See video below!

Starfish

Finding the best spots to see starfish at the Oregon coast was a favorite pastime of mine when I was younger. My parents would frequently take us to Haystack Rock at low tide and we’d briskly begin our search for vibrant starfish of varying hues. They might not be the most impressive wildlife you’ll see at the Oregon coast, but the joy of spotting one never gets old.

If you’re trying to figure out where to see starfish at the Oregon coast, you’ll quickly learn that the entire coastline is ripe for exploration. The state’s breathtaking rocky coast creates the perfect conditions for these little guys to thrive.

Probably the most important thing to understand about seeing starfish at the coast is the tide schedule. The tides rise and fall twice a day and you’ll want to exploring during outgoing tides because that’s when the colorful world of tide pools reveals itself. Not only will you find beautiful starfish in these diverse ecosystems, but you’ll come across a plethora of other wonderful marine life, like the beloved giant green anemones, urchins, hermit crabs, barnacles, and more!

You know the drill: Leave everything as you found it and take nothing home but memories. Don’t touch the marine wildlife at the Oregon coast, these beauties are for all to enjoy! Also, remember to wear shoes with good traction, the tide pools at the Oregon coast are very slippery.

Tide-Pools

There’s no shortage of tide pools at the Oregon coast, but if you’re looking for the best spots to find star fish at the Oregon coast then I suggest the following gems.

Haystack Rock (Cannon Beach, best spot to see star fish at the Oregon coast)
Tunnel Beach (Oceanside)
Bandon Beach
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Hug Point State Park

If helpful, I wrote all about the tide pools at the Oregon coast including where to find the best ones.

Birding

In terms of the most prevalent Oregon Coast wildlife, birds take the cake. It’s no secret that the birding at the Oregon coast is world-renowned. Our jagged coastline serves as a magnet for impressive flocks of seabirds and shorebirds alike. Jetties, beaches, and bays are attractive to birds on the hunt.

To see the greatest diversity of birds, try timing your visit during the spring and fall months when peak migration occurs. But it may be helpful to go over some of the most popular birds at the Oregon coast.

Types of Birds at the Oregon Coast

Pelicans: Found in estuaries and bays during migrating fall and spring seasons, pelicans are a common sight for birders at the Oregon coast. Still, the birds are majestic as they hunt for fish to swallow whole (kids really get a kick out of these guys!)
Tufted Puffin: I’m not saying I have a favorite bird, but if I did, it’d be the tufted puffin. These birds couldn’t be cuter! They nest on Haystack Rock (Cannon Beach) and Face Rock (Bandon) from May to August.
Common murres: As the name suggests, common murres are quite common. You’re most likely to find these Oregon coast birds along rocky island or steep cliffs (prime nesting areas).
Bald eagles: Birds of prey are a dime a dozen at the Oregon coast but there’s just something special about bald eagles. Often perched on trees overlooking the beach, these massive birds steal the show with their impressive wing span and noble stature.
Peregrine falcons: The world’s fastest animal is always an impressive site but, as you can imagine, quite hard to spot. They tend to nest high on cliffs and sometimes under bridges.
Black Oystercatchers: These are some of the most interesting birds at the Oregon coast (to me). Distinctive black feathers give way to long pink legs and a bright orange bill.

By no means is this a comprehensive list, rather a list of some of the most common and interesting ones you’ll see and many of my favorites.

Best Spots for Birding at the Oregon Coast

Oregon coast birding is a popular year-round activity, but the migrating season during the spring and fall months is the best time to see rare birds.

Oregon coast birding tip: One of the best times to go bird watching at the Oregon coast is after a large storm. The seabirds flock closer to shore after a storm, creating a prime opportunity wildlife viewing at the Oregon coast.