Family adventures

Tidepools

If you are looking for exceptional tidepools, look no further- our entire "backyard" is the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve! The surrounding area is extra special thanks to Cape Perpetua (a shield volcano) erupting millions of years ago, creating the iconic rocky coastline that we see today.  The marine reserve is loaded with an array of marine life, from sea stars and anemones, to nudibranch and feather duster worms, but before you get out to the pools, here are a few tips and some etiquette to make your trip extra awesome!

Tidepooling Tips

-Always know what the tide is doing. Tidepools are easiest to view during low and minus tides.

-Watch your step! Always make sure to step on bare sand and rock, for the safety of the marine locals as well as yourself. Never walk on algae and kelp as they are super slick. Don't walk on animals, including mussel beds and creatures that may be trying to hide in the sand such as crabs.

-Never turn your back on the ocean. This rule is very common for good reason and always bears repeating, especially while tidepooling. Just because the tide is low, doesn't mean sneaker waves can't happen. Always make sure to be aware of the water, and that you can retreat somewhere safely and quickly if need be.

-One of the continual reminders from the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve is- NO TAKE. This is a great reminder to never take anything from the beach besides trash you've picked up, and agates. Everything else you may find in your adventures, needs to be left on the beach, as these areas and species are protected.

-Please don't pull, pry, or remove animals from rocks and their pools. Pulling and prying animals such as our local Ochre Stars off rocks, does a serious amount of damage to the animal, resulting in their sensitive tube feet being ripped off, leaving them even more vulnerable to predation or dying.

-Low and slow is the way to go! Moving slowly and mindfully around the rocky intertidal zone, will give you a better tidepooling experience. Patience, while moving quietly and slowly in these sensitive habitats will only benefit everyone, and you'll see a lot more too!

-You can touch the local marine life very gently, please make sure to just use a wet finger so as not to stress out the marine life. Do not poke any of them with sticks or other objects, and never stick anything in the central hole of the anemones. If you are carefully picking up something like a crab, keep it low to the ground just in case the animal falls.

-If you move something like a large rock or some kelp, make sure to put it back how you found it, as it's someone’s home.

-Bring an ID book or app like iNaturalist for identification help, or join one of Cape Perpetua's Tidepool Tours throughout the summer.

-Please leave the pets at home, again, these are very sensitive and protected areas/species.

-Take photos, bring a sketch book and draw or write what magic you're seeing, soak up the wonder!

Storm Watching

While the Oregon Coast is most popular in the Summer months, there is a special and powerful magic that the Winter season and storms bring to the coast. Yachats is an exceptional place for storm watching at popular spots such as Thors Well, Cooks Chasm, Devils Churn, or even from the cozy warmth of where you're staying! Huge crashing waves, trailing spindrift, and intense winds are in full gear here, November though February. Make sure to also keep a look out for blow holes- these are sea caves and lava tubes that shoot out high velocity water when waves hit it from below, much like a geyser. Grab your local tide table and look for the high tides, to experience peak Winter storm wildness in the form of skyscraper tall waves, blow holes, and more! 

Make sure to practice caution while storm watching around Yachats, mega wind gusts, rogue waves, falling trees, and sudden downpours do happen, so dress appropriately and keep a significant distance from chasms, cliffs, and the water. 

Agate Hunting

A favorite Winter through Spring activity amongst Yachatians and visitors alike, is agate hunting! Created millions of years ago, agates are chunks of chalcedony quartz that you can find in the gravel beds year round, but especially in the Winter, but also through the Spring.

Storm surges, King Tides, and the wild Winter weather all play a part in exposing the gravel beds every year, which is why it's so neat to visit the same beach you were at in the Summer, as the landscape will look totally different! Tons and tons of sand will be pulled back out to sea, exposing cobble and gravel beds, where agates tend to hide. 

You dont need much to find some of these coastal gems, just take a leisurely stroll down any rocky beach at low tide, and keep your eyes peeled on the rocks ahead of you. Hone in and look for hues of orange and red, yellows and clear, even sometimes blue! Transparency is key when it comes to agates, as well as banding or marks, and coloration if you're wanting to ID a specific piece. As always, please do not dig or chip away at any cliffs to find things, as this only hurts the coast and can lead to the area being closed off for everyone due to unsafe conditions.

Check out our yearly Agate Festival that happens in January, and make sure to bring any hard to identify rocks to the Rock Doctor to key out for you. Year round, you can also visit some of the shops in town such as the Yachats Chamber Visitors Center, Just Local, and Planet Yachats, for agate gifts galore-Happy hunting! 

Whale Watching

We are super lucky here along the Oregon Coast, as we experience two whale watching seasons a year! Prime whale watching times are mid December through January, and February through May, which is when over 25,000 Gray Whales are migrating down and back up the coast. Don't worry if you aren't here in those specific times though, as we also have about 200 Gray Whales that opt to not migrate, and stay year round! The two most common species of whales seen off Yachats, are Gray Whales and Humpback Whales, with rare Orca sightings now also happening as Spring transitions into Summer!

 Look for volunteer run interpretive stations at Yachats State Park and Smelt Sands during peak whale watching season, for hands on educational artifacts, tips, and take away pamphlets.

A great, but lesser thought of spot to watch for whales, is from way up high by the Rock Structure at Cape Perpetua. The elevation provides a unique vantage point, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see whales from 800ft above sea level! It’s a sight to behold, so make sure to bring your binoculars. 

Cape Perpetua

Towering 800 feet over the Pacific Ocean, the Cape Perpetua headland is the highest viewpoint accessible by car on the Oregon Coast. From this high point, enjoy views of the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve and the rugged and rocky shore where visitors can witness the power of the ocean as it meets the coastal temperate rainforest.

Cape Perpetua Scenic Area encompasses 2,700 acres of coastal habitat and was set aside for its exceptional ecological characteristics. A 26-mile trail system offers many opportunities to experience this lush and diverse temperate rainforest.

Devils Churn

This deep chasm exposes the shoreline's volcanic history and shows the relentless, violent power of the ocean. The chasm likely started as a narrow fracture or collapsed lava tube in the volcanic bedrock. Over many thousands of years under the constant pounding force of the ocean waves it's now more than 80 feet wide where it opens at the ocean.

Kite Flying

With the many beaches surrounding Yachats, there is ample room to throw your favorite kite up in the air and watch it dance in the breeze. Many of our local shops sell kites if you happen to leave yours behind. This isn’t just for the kiddos, grown ups discover your childlike wonder again and hit the beach with a kite! Check out our Beaches page to find your perfect spot!

Yachats Commons Park

The Wetlands Park lies behind (to the West of) the Yachats Commons building. The park has a network of trails, including a boardwalk that skirts a pond and a path through the woods to the West of the wetland. These trails can now be accessed from 4th street, 5th street (at the Yachats Commons), 6th street (at the library), and Ocean View Drive. The walks are short and virtually level, and are the easiest of the Yachats trails. 

YOUTH OUTDOOR ADVENTURE GUIDE

Pickup your guides for the whole family and start your Yachats adventure. Start at the Yachats Visitor Center, head out on the trails to complete the guided tasks and earn your Youth Explorer Badge.