Every year, I plan one trip to the Oregon Coast where it coincides with minus tides, which is when the tide tables are measured in the negative two feet. This gives us the bonus of also adding really excellent tide pooling to our seaside adventures. I’ve shared some incredible spots in the past with the tide pools of Haystack Rock and the Neskowin Ghost Forest being revealed. This year the timing of the Strawberry Supermoon also coincided with minus tide (in this case -2.5 feet in Bandon). This meant a juxtaposition of a 8.26 feet high tide, so a 12 foot swing high to low tide in the span of seven hours. We would be able to enjoy low tides, sunrise and moonset at Face Rock Viewpoint with the iconic sea stacks here.
Where To Stay
Waking up for sunrise is early in Daylight Savings Time in June – sunrise is around 5:30 in the morning. Add to that if we wanted to see the full moon, we needed to be up earlier then that before the sun’s rays brought too much light to the sky. A supermoon is called so because the moon is at its closest orbit to earth, so can appear larger and brighter then other full moons – the best time to see this is when it is rising or setting closer to the horizon. You will have to wait until it gets quite late and dark enough to see the moon during the summer long days, or you might want to use blue hour – the time before sunrise, where you can capture the mood when the blue color spectrum is most prominent, about when the Sun is between 4-8° below the horizon.
In Bandon we decided to stay at Sunset Oceanfront Lodging since it was the closest to Face Rock Viewpoint, so close that we could just look out the window and see it right there. This multi-generation family-owned business offers some oceanfront views with balconies, a small fridge and microwave helped us with managing food (in particular cold beverages in the morning) and restaurant leftovers, and that view and easy walking access sold us. I mean look at the view from our balcony towards Face Rock and towards Coquille Point! We stayed in the Vern Brown Addition, so there were stairs that led directly to the beach from there. 
In our room there was a broom and dustpan to manage the sand that inevitably gets tracked in, very thoughtful. Some of the rooms offered a fireplace also. Depending on which part of the motel you stay in, the rooms may be pet-friendly though our unit at the Vern Addition was not. Sunset Motel does offer a pool and hot tub, though we didn’t use it.
A light grab and go breakfast with prepacked bagels and cream cheese, cereal, granola bars, and coffee and tea is available in the lobby in the morning. They also had a telescope there in case you did not bring binoculars and wanted a better look at some of the birds nesting on the stacks, and there was lots of informational printouts on tide pools, hikes, and more in the lobby. A restaurant on the premise called Lord Bennett’s serves dinner only, and if you want to dine in you may want to make reservations as it can get very busy with people wanting to dine with a view. If you are staying at Sunset though no problem- order takeout and enjoy it from the comfort of your own room and balcony view! When we return to Bandon, we would definitely stay here again.
Sunset at Face Rock Viewpoint
The beach access to Face Rock is available at Face Rock Viewpoint (there is parking as well as public restrooms here), or from the stairs at Sunset Oceanfront Lodging. We popped down after checking in, enjoying dinner in the room, and then just walked around. One of the lovely features of this area are the sea stacks as there so many of them here providing visual interest to the beach. One of the sea stacks is nicknamed Wizards Hat Rock for how it appears to be a triangular pointy hat – you can find this one closer to the beach.
Another is Face Rock, a larger formation out in the ocean that looks like the upturned face, with the woman’s face looking up to the sky, her hair flowing back on the north side/left when faced directly. To the left of her are the Cats and Kittens, a grouping of multiple small sea stacks. 
Although the area is not that suitable for swimming, the way the rock formations and sky are reflected in the sea and sand are spectacular. You’ll soon see exactly how extraordinary it is during moonset and sunrise. All photos you see on this post are taken with our camera phones, no special photography equipment or setting adjustments – scenery here is just that breathtaking.
Moonset
We woke up for a moonlit walk and to watch the moon set as it travels past Wizards Hat. The light softens from blue to purple and then to the pink as dawn approaches.
Sunrise
Meanwhile, to the west, the sun is rising.
If you look at the back of the middle of the photos below, you can see that white building which is the Sunset Oceanfront Lodging that we were staying at. I really love photos with reflections in water, so this was just so dreamy.
Low Tide at Face Rock Viewpoint
With all the sea stacks here, you can only imagine all the treasures you can find in the tidepools. Here’s a peek at some of what you might find at all the nooks and crannies and caves. The rocks and tidal flats here are protected as part of the US Fish and Wildlife Service Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge because they provide important nesting habitat for birds, so you will see and hear lots of bird friends. 
Details of ocean life juxtaposed with sand and sky and angles of rock and smooth sand from the tides.
Here is Face Rock as the golden light illuminates it – according to the legend she is an Indian princess staring up at the sky frozen in time.
As you enjoy your beach walk in the morning you will possibly run into people clamming.
That’s it for today’s post, but I have more to cover – here’s the outline to come! The sunset I showed as part of this post is all right – but the spot I would recommend is Coquille Point, which I will share next time.
Bandon Oregon Coast Trip June 2022
- Circles in the Sand at the Oregon Coast
- Sunrise and Moonset at Face Rock Viewpoint – this post
- Sunset at Coquille Point
- Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor
- Art and Eats in Bandon
Have you been to Bandon yet, which is your favorite rock formation? Below is my favorite shot of the day with the sunrise and water reflections of the sky and bird footprints on the sand.
Bandon, Oregon Coast Travel Series
- Circles in the Sand at the Oregon Coast
- Sunrise and Moonset at Face Rock Viewpoint – this post
- Sunset at Coquille Point
- Easy Guide to Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor
- Art and Eats in Bandon
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