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Otter Rock
Newport and Vicinity
GPS Coordinates: 44.7373786, -124.0842022
REGIONS > CENTRAL OREGON COAST > NEWPORT AND VICINITY

Otter Rock is a small island located between Devil’s Punchbowl State Park and Beverly Beach State Park, north of the town of Newport. It is part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, a protected area administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and used extensively by native birds for breeding and nesting purposes.

The rock is located 0.5 miles mile (0.8 km) offshore and was once a haul out area for sea otters prior to their extirpation in the early twentieth century. Today, it is still used by other marine mammals including California sea lions and harbor seals. The area was nicknamed “the Waikiki of Oregon” during the last century due to its reputation for excellent surfing.

The island also lends its name to the Otter Rock Marine Reserve, one of five protected areas along the Oregon coast set aside for scientific research and conservation efforts.

Related Features: Marine Reserves: Sanctuaries for Science | Broken Chain: Sea Otters and Kelp Forests

Exploring the Otter Rock Area:

Cape Foulweather
Newport and Vicinity
Depoe Bay and Vicinity
Oregon Coast Highway 101
Devil's Punchbowl
Pristine Laboratory
Landmark Places: Oregon Coast Aquarium
Yaquina Head

Representative Species of Beverly Beach:

California sea lion
Gray whale
Purple sea urchin
Dungeness crab
Great white shark
Salmon shark
Feather boa kelp
Harbor seal
Sea lettuce
Giant Pacific Octopus
Pelagic cormorant
Sea palm

Suggested Activities for the Beverly Beach Area:

Citizen Science
Kayaking
Urban Exploration
Climate Change Action
Photography and Video
Wildlife Spotting
Conservation Projects
SCUBA diving
Fishing
Surfing
Picture
Picture
About Oceanscape
The Oregon Coast Aquarium's Oceanscape Network is an educational program for youth designed to inspire curiosity in science, nature, conservation and outdoor exploration while providing valuable classroom resources for educators. MORE.
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2820 SE Ferry Slip Road, Newport, Oregon 97365
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