The sea lion caves are a network of caves and caverns that sea lions make their home. They come into the caves during the winter months where visitors can view them from an observation platform. The caves are located halfway down the Oregon Coast, 11 miles north of Florence on U.S. Highway 101.
The main cavern of the cave system, which is at sea level, is constantly being washed by the ocean. This room has a floor area of nearly two acres with a 125-foot-tall vaulted rock dome.
Visitors can reach the caves via a gift shop that gives you viewing access to the tunnels to adult sea lions and you can also see sea lions with pups outside the caves on the surrounding rocks. This entrance acts as an elevated observation point from which one can see the complete network of underground caves and the animals that inhabit them.
91560 Highway 101
Florence, OR 97439
541-547-3111
About the Sea Lion Caves
The sea lion Caves are in the Guiness Book as the largest sea cave in the United States. The Stellar Sea Lion calls it home year-round. It’s one of the few areas on the west coast where the Stellar Sea Lion population is growing. In addition to the Stellar Seal lion, visitors can also see the California sea lion.
During the winter, hundreds of sea lions are frequently seen in the Cave. In the spring, during the breeding and giving birth seasons, the sea lions leave the Cave and move to the rookery areas, which are the rock ledges in front of the Cave, where they stay through the summer.
Other animals that live in the area around the cave besides sea lions include bats, pigeon guillemots, cormorants, gulls, orcas, gray whales, humpback whales, harbor seals, bald eagles, mountain lions, black bear, elk, deer, chipmunks, gray squirrels, owls, common murre, and the tufted puffin. There are numerous seabird species that are unique to the Oregon Coast and cannot be found anywhere else.
Tickets & Hours of Operation
The Sea Caves are open year round and tickets for the self-guided tour can be purchased at the gift shop without a reservation. From 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, the Sea Lion Caves are accessible. Weather permitting, they are typically open 363 days a year; only closing on Thanksgiving and Christmas days. On Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, the caves close at noon.
They also have RV Parking in addition to free car parking.
- 9 am to 4 pm
- Adults: $16.00 each
- Seniors: $15.00 each
- Children* Ages 5 to 12: $10.00 each
- Children* Ages 4 and younger: FREE
- Parking: FREE
Accessibility
You must descend 37 steps in our building and then climb them again to get to the outside pathways. There are roughly 400 yards of uphill and downhill walking with a 10% to 20% grade. The elevator that will take you to the cave is then reached. In addition, there are 63 steps inside the cave that lead to the sight of the lighthouse.
Whale Watching near the Sea Lion Caves
The whale viewing platform, which is downstairs from the gift shop, has a seaward view of around 20 miles. The deck is a well-liked location for whale watching because of its elevation of 300 feet.
Gray whales can be spotted for the entire year but have peak activity December to January and from March to June.
Additionally, orcas are often only seen migrating via the Sea Lion Caves once a year. Small groups may finish their trip nearby, feeding very close to the coast.
If you are looking for more detail on how and where to go whale watching check out out full guide to whale watching on the Oregon coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Sea lion caves are a sanctuary for birds and a nature preserve for marine wildlife. The Cave itself is the biggest marine cave in the United States, and Steller and California sea lions live there all year long.
The best time to see sea lions in the caves is during the winter months and in the spring. The sea lions typically hang out on the rocky ledges outside the cave in the summer. This is where they breed, give birth, and gather as a group.
Winter is the ideal season to visit Sea Lion Caves for the most sea lion activity. The sea lions exit the cave as breeding season approaches in the spring and stay in rookeries and outdoor haul out locations along the Coast until inclement weather forces them to seek protection inside the cave in the fall.
Self-guided tours can take anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours, depending on how much time you want to spend seeing the sea lions and other attractions, so be prepared to be on your feet throughout your visit.
Yes, the elevator lowers 208 feet down to a viewing deck 50 feet above the 1,500-foot cavern.
Comfortable shoes for walking around. It is advised to wear a pair of comfortable shoes that allow you to move around without worrying about slipping or getting your feet wet.
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