Adventures with Holly & Bryan

Updated 1/25/2023

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Unlike many wildlife-watching experiences, viewing the sea lions in Oregon doesn’t require luck, extreme patience, huge magnification scopes, getting seasick, or waking up before dawn.

If you’ve spent time on the Oregon coast, you’ve probably seen (or heard!) sea lions in Oregon before. Their cacophonous “Arr—Arrr—ARRR!” calls can be heard from such a distance it’s actually a little alarming. Bryan and I were at the Astoria Column a few months ago, way up in the hills above Astoria, and we could still hear the sea lions at the docks.

But regardless of how often you’ve seen sea lions, I’d recommend a visit to the sea lion caves in Oregon. This is one of those truly weird and wonderful natural places (it’s actually America’s largest sea cave!), and a rare chance to see hundreds of sea lions in Oregon in their natural habitat.

In today’s post, I’ll share the highlights of the Oregon sea lion caves and tips for your visit.

Stay tuned, because the sea lions aren’t in their cave the whole year, so while this is easily one of the most straightforward wildlife-watching opportunities in the state, it’s essential to go to the sea lion caves at the right time. If you’d like to preview the sea lion caves before you visit, check out our video tour later in this post.

What are the Sea Lion Caves in Oregon Like?

Many stories down from the high cliffs at Highway 101, the sea lion caves are at the ocean level. Thin light spills into the huge cavern from a couple of cave entrances, and algae growing on the cave walls gives it a greenish cast.

Most of the hundreds of sea lions are hauled out or flopping into a more comfortable position on the rocky cave floor, looking like the epitome of nonchalance and apparently just chilling. These are Steller sea lions, which are enormous. Per NOAA, they’re the largest of the sea lion species!

You may catch sight of the occasional pair of sea lions challenging each other, pushing their blubbery necks against each other as they vie for dominance on the rocks. Waves rolling in from the nearest cave entrance carry with them more sea lions that have been out fishing and playing in the ocean beyond.

The sea lions may look nonchalant, but the sound of the sea lion caves certainly wouldn’t make any White Noise playlist. The cave walls amplify and echo the sea lions’ already cacophonous calls. The low, greenish light combined with the echoing din of sea lions and waves creates an otherworldly experience. To experience it virtually before you go, check out our video below.

Our video of the sea lion caves in Oregon

Where are the Sea Lion Caves in Oregon?

The Oregon sea lion caves are near the town of Florence on the central Oregon coast (Google Maps link here). It’s a little over 3 hours’ drive from Portland.

Parking for the sea lion caves is right on the main coastal highway, Highway 101, and it’s hard to miss the gift shop. It has a huge (and very corny-looking) plastic sign featuring a cartoon sea lion, giving it the appearance of some kind of oceanside arcade or carnival booth.

But don’t be put off by the carnival-like atmosphere on the surface. Below the gift shop is a totally different world. It’s like the unassuming Leaky Cauldron tavern guarding the entrance to Diagon Alley in Harry Potter.

When to Visit the Sea Lion Caves in Oregon

It’s fairly critical to visit the sea lion caves in the winter months. The photos in this post are from mid-January. Per the sea lion caves website, in summer the sea lions are often outside the cave on rock ledges instead. They return to the caves in the winter, where they’re easier to see.

We first stopped by the sea lion caves in October, since we were on a road trip in the area. The sea lions weren’t in the cave, but we got tickets anyway and explored the sea lion exhibits. The exhibits are in an adjoining cavern, and they include a short film that provides a good overview of sea lion biology.

The sea lion caves staff gave us a rain check to come back and visit in the winter at no additional charge. We returned in January and saw hundreds of sea lions!

Admission to the Oregon Sea Lion Caves

Visiting the Oregon sea lion caves requires tickets, which you can purchase inside the gift shop. As of 2023, they’re $16 for adults. Here is the link to the full ticket pricing information, including special admission rates for seniors and children.

After purchasing your tickets inside the gift shop, you’ll follow a walking route behind the gift shop to an elevator that takes you into the caves themselves. This walkway is outdoors, and you’ll get a great view of the ocean below. Look out for sea lions down there, as they often congregate in the ocean just outside the cave.

Even if you don’t know to look for the sea lions, you may hear them! They’re quite vocal, with their braying calls carrying easily up the bluffs to the path above.

What to Take to the Oregon Sea Lion Caves

If you have binoculars, they’ll make the sea lion caves experience even better. The sea lions are totally visible without binoculars (we forgot ours at home!), but binoculars will allow you to see them up close, and they’re particularly useful for watching the sea lions playing in the ocean from the walkway. These binoculars are a good option that are easy to get online, if you need to buy a set.

It’s usually chilly in the sea lion caves (and on the Oregon coast in general), so I’d recommend packing layers.

History of the Sea Lion Caves in Oregon

Per the sea lion caves history page, in the 1880s a sea captain named William Cox explored the sea lion caves and bought the land from the state. For about 40 years, his family kept the land, but didn’t open it to the public. This was before Highway 101 was built, and the area wasn’t easily accessible.

Highway construction began in 1921. A few years later, a businessman bought the land. In 1930, he and two business partners pooled resources and built an access trail to the sea lion caves, opening it for visitors two years later.

Other Must-See Places near the Oregon Sea Lion Caves

This part of the Oregon coast is packed with natural wonders. Here are a few of our favorites. Click the links for posts about these other top sights!

Cape Perpetua Lookout

The views from the top of this headland are some of the best on the Oregon coast. The lookout is accessible via a hike from the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center, or directly by car. Go at sunset on a clear day if you can; the views are unparalleled.

Cook’s Ridge and Gwynn Creek Loop Hike

Another top hike in the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, this trail loops through an old-growth forest. On a sunny day, the mist in the air glows as it catches the sunbeams.

Thor’s Well and the Spouting Horn

These bizarre coastal rock formations create fascinating water features, one that looks like a geyser and the other that looks like a giant, self-refilling sinkhole.

Darlingtonia Carnivorous Plants

A short trail from a highway wayside leads to a boardwalk over a bog filled with giant carnivorous plants!

Other Adventures in the Pacific Northwest

Thanks for joining us at the Sea Lion Caves in Oregon! For more adventure ideas in the Pacific Northwest, check out our PNW Trip Planner. You can find adventures near you and filter by season and difficulty level. There are weird and wonderful things to explore any time of year. The trip planner links to blog posts to help you plan your next adventure.

Happy exploring!