A visit to Oregon’s coast typically includes plenty of wildlife viewing. Take a hike to see Roosevelt elk and blacktail deer, scan the sea for whales, and keep an eye out along the coastline for sea birds, seals and sea lions. For a unique wildlife adventure, visit Sea Lion Caves near Florence. Depending on the timing of your visit, you might see hundreds of Stellar sea lions.
The next time you find yourself on the coast, stop in at Sea Lion Caves. It’s just a 22-minute drive north from Florence, and it’s right on Highway 101.
Sea Lion Caves/Facebook
The lobby and gift shop are located high on a cliff 300 feet above the water, so to get to the sea cave, you’ll take an elevator.
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This huge cave was formed about 25 million years ago. The soaring, vaulted ceiling is 125 feet tall, and the cave measures 1,315 feet long - the longest in America.
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The floor of the cave covers two acres, and waves wash in and out of it all day long. It’s the perfect spot for Stellar sea lions to hang out, and a herd of around 200 live in the area.
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This spot is the only known mainland rookery and hauling (breeding and wintering) place for Stellar sea lions, and depending on the time of year, you’ll see hundreds of them here.
Alasdair Turner/Aurora Photos via Getty Images Stellar sea lions live 20-30 years. Males can be up to 2,500 pounds, and females are typically around 700 pounds.
You’re most likely to see lots of sea lions during winter and spring months. When you visit Sea Lion Caves, the staff there can tell you if there are sea lions in the cave that day.
John Wang/Photodisc via Getty Images This isn’t a zoo - the sea lions come and go as they please, so on some days there might be hundreds of sea lions in the caves, and other days there might be a few dozen. Sometimes there are no sea lions at all in the cave.
If you’re visiting during summer and fall months, no worries! You can still see the sea lions. Take a stroll down to the viewing platforms and peer over the edge.
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The rocky area at the base of the cliff is a rookery. This is where the Stellar sea lions mate, give birth, and raise their young. Bulls establish territory on the rookery, and defend it from other males.
Sea Lion Caves/Facebook
You might see sea lion pups being tended by their mothers, and you’ll see all the sea lions socializing and basking in the sun down there…
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…and watch them frolicking and swimming in the ocean. Stellar sea lions can swim up to 17 mph.
DurkTalsma/iStock via Getty Images Also, keep an eye out for sea birds and whales!
Sea Lion Caves is open year-round, and it’s well worth your time to visit. Admission is $14 for adults, $13 for seniors, and $8 for children ages 5 to 12. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.
Sea Lion Caves/Facebook
Learn more about Sea Lion Caves on its website, and make sure to follow its Facebook page to see the latest updates. Have you visited? Tell our readers about your experience in the comments!
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Alasdair Turner/Aurora Photos via Getty Images
Frank Fichtmüller/iStock via Getty Images
Stellar sea lions live 20-30 years. Males can be up to 2,500 pounds, and females are typically around 700 pounds.
John Wang/Photodisc via Getty Images
This isn’t a zoo - the sea lions come and go as they please, so on some days there might be hundreds of sea lions in the caves, and other days there might be a few dozen. Sometimes there are no sea lions at all in the cave.
Dale H/Tripadvisor
travelontheroad08530/Tripadvisor
DurkTalsma/iStock via Getty Images
Also, keep an eye out for sea birds and whales!
Looking for more wildlife on the coast? Visit this little beach near Newport. It doesn’t have any sand, but it does have plenty of seals and sea birds.
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Address: 91560 US-101, Florence, OR 97439, USA
