How to Watch Oregon’s King Tides in 2024-2025
Some of the most dramatic sights on the Oregon Coast happen during the king tides, the highest tides of the year. While low tides reveal hidden nooks and crannies of the beach, high tides are the best times to appreciate the power of the ocean. The king tides have an enormous impact on Oregon’s coastline, bringing flooding, erosion, and hazardous debris. They also fill a photographer's heart with joy mixed with a healthy hint of terror. Waves as large as houses crash with dull and resounding booms. The ground trembles with the impact. Here is how to watch the king tides in Oregon and Washington safely.
King tides at Devils Punchbowl
About the king tides
The king tides are the year's three highest tides. It’s a descriptive rather than a scientific term. During the king tides, the sun, Earth, and moon align. The moon is close to the Earth in its orbit, and the Earth is close to the sun. This alignment produces a strong gravitational pull on the Earth, which makes the tides higher. The king tides happen in Oregon and Washington during the winter. The exact dates vary a little each year. On a tide table, high tide will be around +10. You may also hear king tides called perigean spring tides, which means the same thing.
Waves cover the beach in Lincoln City during the king tides
Higher tides increase the odds of seeing big waves on the Oregon Coast, but they aren’t a guarantee. Other factors, like wind, also impact how showy the king tides will be. Likewise, the Oregon Coast sometimes sees big waves outside of the king tides, especially during winter storms. Whether the ocean is calm or stormy, it’s important to stay off the beach and keep your distance from the waves during the king tides. High tide events also mean unpredictable conditions like sneaker waves, some of which carry large debris like driftwood logs onto shore.
Gale force winds bring large waves to Depoe Bay outside the king tides
When to see the king tides in 2024 and 2025
The 2024-2025 king tides in Oregon and Washington are expected on these dates:
November 15-17, 2024
December 13-15, 2024
January 11-13, 2025
King tides at Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area
How to stay safe when watching the king tides
Stay off the beach. When the king tides arrive at the Oregon and Washington Coasts, waves will cover more of the shoreline than usual and will be more unpredictable. Even outside of high tide, sneaker waves are common.
Stay away from jetties. They are not far enough from the waves to be safe during the king tides.
Find higher ground. Safe places to watch the king tides are points of elevation above the waves. Visit viewpoints rather than beaches.
Don’t cross guardrails and warning signs. This one is obvious, but I’m saying it anyway because, wow, do I see people making some choices out there.
Cones and a warning sign block the trail to Roads End Beach during the king tides
Where to watch the king tides in Oregon
The Oregon Coast has tons of great places to watch the king tides. The best of them share two characteristics:
It’s high enough above the beach to be safe.
The coastline has rocks and cliffs to keep things interesting.
In general, protected coves and bays will be less interesting than exposed stretches of coastline. The tide will be most impressive for an hour or two. I’d choose one destination or two close together to see during high tide.
King tides at Otter Crest Scenic Loop
On the Oregon Coast:
Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area. Stick to the viewpoints from above. Don’t go down to the beaches on either side of the Punchbowl.
Shores Acres State Park and Cape Arago State Park on the Cape Arago Scenic Highway.
The viewpoints between Depoe Bay and Newport: Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint, Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint, and Otter Crest State Scenic Viewpoint.
Depoe Bay is the most crowded but also awesome.
Cape Perpetua, from above.
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. Stick to the areas of elevation, like the path around the lighthouse. Avoid Cobble Beach and Quarry Cove.
Ecola State Park in Cannon Beach, especially Ecola Point. Avoid Crescent Beach and Indian Beach beyond the viewpoint from above.
Seal Rock State Recreation Site. Stick to the trails above the beach.
Cape Blanco
Otter Point State Recreation Site. Stay on top of the headland and avoid the beaches.
Waves cover Cobble Beach at Yaquina Head during the king tides
In southern Washington:
Head to the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment.
Indoor places to watch the king tides:
Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center (observatory)
Cape Foulweather Lookout (gift shop with huge windows in the back)
Don and Ann Davis Park in Newport (enclosed park shelter)
Tidal Raves or The Horn Public House in Depoe Bay (restaurants)
Kyllos in Lincoln City (restaurant)
Wayfarer in Cannon Beach (restaurant)
Pelican Brewing in Pacific City (restaurant)
Views of the king tides from inside the Cape Foulweather Lookout
Depoe Bay during the king tides
Winter is the off-season for travel on the Oregon Coast. Colder weather and more frequent rains keep even the most popular beaches quiet. Depoe Bay during the king tides is an exception. This small town gets packed. I have visited many times, including beautiful summer weekends, but have never seen it nearly as crowded as during the king tides, come rain, wind, or weekday.
Crowds gather at the Depoe Bay sea wall
Depoe Bay has free public parking. The street parking on either side of Highway 101 will probably be full when the king tides are happening. If you drive up the hill into town, there are more public parking lots. The town is small. You won’t have a long walk to the sea wall no matter where you park.
Wave spouts at Depoe Bay during the king tides
To see the king tides, head to the sea wall on the west side of Highway 101. The sidewalk is narrow and only accommodates one row of onlookers. You may need to walk a ways to find an open stretch of wall. People move around a lot, so I wouldn’t worry too much about getting the perfect spot. The most popular place to stand is near a channel in the rocky coastline that funnels water up into a spout. During the king tides, it splashes over the sea wall, sometimes soaking onlookers and passing cars.
High winds mean big waves along the sea wall at high tide
The Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center is a good place to watch the king tides. The walkways around it and the viewing platform on the upper story leave plenty of room to spread out. It’s also a safe distance from the waves. If the weather is dreadful, you can head inside and watch from the windows.
Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center (normal tide)
Other tips
Dogs hate the king tides. Almost all parks on the Oregon Coast allow dogs, but you might not want to bring your dog with you to watch the king tides. Just about every dog I saw looked stressed. Some were shivering, even on a mild sunny day. Their reactions to the king tides reminded me of how they react to thunderstorms.
Low tides that follow the king tides are great times for beach combing. The larger tides churn up the ocean and drag things like agates, petrified wood, and driftwood onto the beach. Leave a healthy margin from the ocean and be aware of your surroundings. Sneaker waves are common during the king tides.
Prepare to get wet. The king tides happen in winter when the weather on the Oregon Coast will probably be cold and rainy. Wear rain gear and warm clothes.
The king tides recede at Roads End Beach. The beach isn’t safe to walk on yet in this photo, but you get the idea about the driftwood.
King Tides Project
If you’re interested in ways to get involved, check out the King Tides Project. The project documents extreme tidal events to track the effect of climate on the Oregon Coast over time. Anyone can help out by taking comparison photos of well-known landmarks during normal tides and the king tides. Learn more about participating on the King Tides Project website.
The king tides cover Cannon Beach
What to bring
Waterproof rain pants
Waterproof hiking boots or shoes
In a pinch, a rain poncho is a cheap and easy way to stay dry.
Layers and warm clothes
Camera
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Birds watch the waves at Devils Punchbowl
Enjoy the king tides on the Oregon Coast!
With love,
Emma
More at the Oregon Coast
See the amazing wildlife of the Oregon Coast.
At low tide, find the best tidepool beaches.
