Sunset at Coquille Point

I covered how breathtaking the scenery is of the sea and sand and sea stacks and reflections in my last post focusing on the area close to Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint. Coquille Point is not that far away – we walked here from our Sunset Oceanfront Lodging in less then 10 minutes. Despite the small distance the view here is very different, and I would recommend a sunset at Coquille Point as among the most beautiful in the Oregon Coast.

Coquille Point is similar to Face Rock Viewpoint in that it is an area of an elevated cliff area that looks down to a beach with sea stacks. But the feel is remarkably changed because the rock formations here are much larger with a few smaller stacks scattered. One of the formations is nicknamed Table Rock because of its large flat surface. The path down to this area from the bluff is stunning with wildflowers and a perfectly placed bench.

On the other side of the bluff- the walking path is less than a mile- is where you’ll find Elephant Rock. Can you see where the elephant is facing towards you? Depending on the tides it may even appear like the elephant is squirting water from it’s trunk, or with high tide waves rushing in even appear like white tusks of water.

There’s another feature of sunset at Coquille Point that is unique – the boardwalk-like stairway with a few landings, including a small gazebo, descending to the beach. You will see it immediately from the main access point to Coquille Point, the free parking area at the west end of 11th Street. As you go down the stairs, you can gaze south towards Face Rock Viewpoint, or walk right north towards Elephant Rock and large piles of driftwood that has collected here.

As you go down the stairs, you can gaze north towards Face Rock Viewpoint, or walk right south towards Elephant Rock and quite a gathering of driftwood that has collected here.

I enjoy the contrast of the open sky to the silhouettes of the sea stacks and the soft green flowers and grass of the bluff and then the architecture of the stairway.

It is a gorgeous location for sunset with these contrasts to just sit and watch the colors change with the light.

This area is home to many nesting birds and is also a “kindergarten” area for baby seals so watch out and avoid disturbing them. If you have binoculars you’ll want to peek at the puffins. Even without binoculars you can see a puffin – well at least a puffin sculpture made from waste gathered from the ocean and turned into art. This is part of Washed Ashore, art to save the sea. You can visit a gallery of more of this art and learn more about their work to clean up beach debris and raise awareness on ocean pollution.

As you walk along the beach, you may even find yourself taking up rock collecting. According to US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in Oregon, collecting rock and minerals as a hobby does not require any permits while the materials are for personal, non-commercial use and the no-fee daily limit for collecting for personal use to 25 pounds plus one piece, with a yearly limit of 250 pounds in total, if you want to really go for it. Both of us found ourselves collecting for the first time rocks along our beach walks because there were so many pretty ones we spotted. After this trip we got our own rock tumbler at home.

Now why do I think this is one of the most beautiful sunset spots on the Oregon Coast? First, if you are a photographer you can look up the lineup of the sun during sunset because if conditions are right, the sunbeams can line up in the Elephant Rock opening of the sea caves like the light coming from a keyhole. That timing didn’t work for us, but this bluff, with the sea stacks, sea, the stairs, and wildflowers, lit by the setting sun, is spectacular still, as at least I thought so from my amateur phone photography.

Bandon, Oregon Coast Travel Series

• Circles in the Sand at the Oregon Coast
• Sunrise and Moonset at Face Rock Viewpoint
• Sunset at Coquille Point – this post
• Easy Guide to Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor
• Art and Eats in Bandon