On the southern Oregon coast there are numerous opportunities for viewing wildlife. The more significant sites where SEA wildlife interpreters assist the public are at the Simpson Reef Overlook, at the end of Cape Arago Highway, near Charleston OR, and Face Rock Wayside or Coquille Point, in Bandon, OR.

Simpson Reef & Shell Island – California sea lions, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and elephant seals congregate at mid-to-low tide to rest in the sun and avoid predators. Harbor seals and elephant seals breed there. You can listen to these pinnipeds talking and if you’re lucky, catch a pod of orcas passing by. In 2026, SEA wildlife interpreters, with spotting scopes, will be at Simpson Reef Overlook from 11am to 3pm, from May 22nd to Sept 7th, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, plus holidays. The Simpson Reef Overlook parking lot about one mile south of the entrance to Shore Acres State Park on the Cape Arago Highway.

Face Rock, Elephant Rock, Table Rock – These rocks are extremely important for nesting seabirds. Brandt’s cormorants, double-crested cormorants, pelagic cormorants, common murres, pigeon guillemots, tufted puffins, black oystercatchers, and the ever-present western gulls are among the species that are present by the thousands. In 2026 SEA wildlife interpreters will be at the Face Rock Wayside in Bandon from May 3 to July 26 on Saturdays and Sundays 9am to 12pm.

Intertidal Zone – Opportunities for exploring tide pools exist at Face Rock Wayside and Coquille Point in Bandon, Sunset Bay near Charleston, and other nearby locations. The best opportunities for viewing intertidal wildlife are in the spring and summer when tides are at least a minus one foot tide. Please refer to our Tidepool Etiquette page for more information.