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Cannon Beach Tidepools

Discover the Magic of Cannon Beach Tide Pools

From curious sea stars and vibrant anemones to slow-moving sea slugs and filter-feeding mussels, Cannon Beach tide pools are home to a whole world of life, just waiting for you to slow down and take a closer look. These natural saltwater pockets are revealed twice a day as the tide recedes, offering one of the most interactive and fascinating ways to explore the Oregon Coast.

Whether you’re visiting Haystack Rock, hiking through Ecola State Park, or spending the morning at Hug Point State Park, you’ll get a firsthand look at the delicate marine gardens. Just make sure you check the tide charts before you go out so you’ll have the best chance of seeing them.

Where to Find Tide Pools in Cannon Beach

Haystack Rock is the most popular tide pooling location thanks to its easy access, but if you’re looking to explore with fewer crowds, we know a few other great spots, too.

  • Haystack Rock: Located right in town and accessible via a short beach walk from midtown or Tolovana. The Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP) often sets up during low tides to help visitors identify sea creatures and learn about this National Wildlife Refuge.
  • Silver Point: South of Tolovana Beach, this spot offers excellent tide pools, especially in the springtime. You can walk here from the Tolovana Wayside or Arcadia Beach when conditions allow.
  • Indian Beach: Located inside Ecola State Park, this rocky shoreline is less trafficked and great for quiet exploration. Visit the south end of the beach to find tide pools between the boulders.
  • Ecola Point / Crescent Beach: Some of the best tide pooling happens below the cliffs at Ecola Point. Access is via a moderate 1.25-mile hike from Ecola’s main parking area. Crescent Beach is also accessible during the lowest tides by rounding Chapman Point—but be sure to check the tide tables before attempting it.
  • Hug Point State Recreation Site: Just a few miles south of Cannon Beach, this site is home to seaside caves, a cascading waterfall, 19th-century stagecoach tracks, and excellent tide pools.

What You'll See in the Tide Pools

Each zone of the tide pools—high tide, mid-tide, and low tide—features different species that have adapted to their specific environment. Here’s a preview of what you might spot:

  • Ochre Sea Stars: Typically found in the mid- to low zones, these brightly colored sea stars are the top predators of the tide pool food chain.
  • Green Anemones: Flower-like and carnivorous, they capture prey with stinging tentacles. These creatures are also primarily found in the lower zones.
  • Barnacles & Mussels: Attached to rock faces, these mid-intertidal zone creatures filter plankton from the water and help clean the ecosystem.
  • Limpets, Snails, and Chitons: Small, high and mid-zone herbivores that graze on algae and cling tightly to rocks.
  • Nudibranchs (Sea Slugs): Especially the Sea Lemon and Thick-Horned Nudibranch, known for their vibrant colors and unusual defenses. Look for these in the lower tidal zone.
  • Crabs and Small Fish: You’ll find these high-tide creatures darting through pools or hiding under seaweed.
  • Sponges and Coral: Often overlooked but vital to the intertidal ecosystem, these low zone specimens are stunning to see up close, but don’t touch them! Many corals are sharp and can lead to cuts, which can become infected with bacteria found in the water.

When to Go Tide Pooling

The best time to explore tide pools is one hour before low tide, as the water is still receding and more of the intertidal zone becomes visible. For optimal viewing, aim for minus tides (0.0 feet or lower). Summer typically offers the lowest tides of the year in Cannon Beach.

You can consult the tide charts online or grab a physical tide table from a local surf or outdoor shop.

 

Tide Pool Etiquette & Safety Tips

The intertidal zone is delicate—these creatures survive crashing waves and coastal winds, but not rough human contact. Help us keep Cannon Beach’s tide pools healthy by following these simple guidelines:

 

  • Walk only on bare rock or sand—avoid barnacle-covered areas, which can be slippery and harmful to sea life.
  • Look with your eyes, and if you touch, do so gently.
  • Do not remove, collect, or relocate any animals, shells, or rocks.
  • Keep dogs on leashes and out of the tide pools.
  • Be mindful of nesting shorebirds near Haystack Rock.
  • Never turn your back on the ocean. Sneaker waves and shifting tides can arrive without warning.

 

Learn While You Explore

Visit During a Haystack Rock Awareness Program Event

The Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP) is a free educational program that operates during low tides throughout much of the year. Volunteers and interpreters help visitors safely interact with the tide pools while learning about the species that live there.

You’ll often find HRAP volunteers set up with displays and signage near Haystack Rock.

How to Stay Near Cannon Beach Tide Pools?

At Beachcomber Vacation Homes, we offer oceanfront properties and cozy beach cottages that are walkable to tide pool hotspots like Haystack Rock and Tolovana. Whether you’re planning a family adventure, a solo nature trek, or a hands-on learning experience with the kids, we’ve got a place that makes it easy to enjoy every corner of the coast.

Check out all our Cannon Beach vacation rentals and start planning your perfect getaway today!

See All Cannon Beach Vacation Rentals

Frequently Asked Questions About Cannon Beach Tide Pools

  • When is the best time to visit the tide pools?

    Plan your visit for about one hour before low tide. Minus tides (0.0 feet and below) are ideal for viewing, and spring offers the best conditions before too much sand has washed back in.

  • Where can I find tide charts for Cannon Beach?

    You can find current Cannon Beach tide predictions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) online or in local shops.

  • Is it okay to collect shells or creatures from the tide pools?

    No. Oregon’s tide pools are protected Marine Gardens. It is illegal to collect or remove anything from these areas.

  • Can I bring my dog to the tide pools?

    Yes, but they must remain on a leash and under control. Don’t let them walk in the tide pools, as that can harm or kill the creatures living in them.

  • Is there a fee to visit Haystack Rock or other tide pool areas?

    Nope! All Cannon Beach tide pool locations are free to access.

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