Oregon Coast Outdoors: Clamming, Crabbing, Surfing, Fishing, Boarding Deep Guide

Published 04/09/25 at 6:09 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Oceanside, Oregon) - Long walks on the beach, playing in the sand or bouncing around the many rocky slabs that comprise chunks of this area are all major draws here. but there’s also crabbing, clamming, hiking, boating, kayaking, whale watching and other activities that make for a complete visit. (Above: Newport / Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

If you've ever needed a quick reference guide to the outdoors for the Oregon coast – this would be it. Follow the links to further information and details.

Some basics:

Cycling the entirety of the coast is its own animal, so not addressed here. There is a separate guide for trail biking Rough 'n Wild Biking Guide to Oregon Coast Hits the Ground Running. Crabbing, clamming and fishing require licenses in Oregon, and make sure you check for any biotoxin closures..

Wakeboarding is a general pursuit that can be done in any area with a flat beach, and there's always the distinctive sport of kite buggying for most long, flat areas.

Astoria itself has no beaches as it’s on the mouth of the Columbia. But there are numerous lakes and outdoor attractions here, as well as many riverside beaches. Boating is the big thing, along with numerous famous fishing spots. Or just hike the town's ancient streets, steeped in all kinds of historical sites. Hotels in Astoria - Where to eat - Astoria Maps and Virtual Tours

The beach starts at Warrenton, where you’ll find more enormous lakes, the Wreck of the Peter Iredale and a bundle of civil war-era fortress attractions. Major hiking trails start (or end) here, many following the footsteps of Lewis and Clark. The south jetty is a spectacular beach spot and viewpoint. Soft, sandy beaches continue down for 15 miles or so.

Photo: Seaside Aquarium

Seaside, Oregon and its upscale little brother Gearhart are comprised of mostly soft, sandy beach spots. Surfing is the hot item at the Cove – the southern end of town. Hit the estuary and the 12th Ave bridge for crabbing.

90% of the state's razor clams reside in this stretch from Seaside to Warrenton, but there are conservation closures from July to October. Hotels in Seaside - Where to eat - Seaside Maps and Virtual Tours

Cannon Beach comes up next, where Haystack Rock and miles of pristine beaches lie. Famed hiking trails over Tillamook Head amount to six miles worth of wild scenery, and surfing from Indian Beach is also popular. Hotels in Cannon Beach - Where to eat - Cannon Beach Maps and Virtual Tours

South of town, the beaches meander beneath high cliffs, the rocks-meets-sand beaches of Arch Cape, and major hiking drama around Cape Falcon. Surfing is huge at Oswald West State Park's Short Sands.

Hang gliding at Manzanita

The Manzanita area begins with Neahkahnie Mountain, its stunning overlooks and miles of trails to the top of the mountain. The sandy stretch of Manzanita gives way to the Nehalem Bay and all its outdoor activities, such as clamming, fishing, boating, paddleboarding and more. Then Rockaway Beach continues southward with seven more miles of strand. Hotels in Manzanita, Wheeler - Where to eat - Manzanita, Wheeler Maps and Virtual Tours

Barview begins the next stretch, the northern part of Tillamook Bay. There, Garibaldi, Bay City, Tillamook and Bay Ocean provide all sorts of boat ramps, fishing guide tours and more. Bay clamming and some crabbing and razor clams are good here. Hotels in Tillamook Bay - Where to eat - Tillamook Maps and Virtual Tours

The Three Capes Loop is 25 miles of amazing, often clandestine beaches and cliff viewpoints. There, Cape Meares, Oceanside, Netarts, Cape Lookout, Tierra Del Mar, Pacific City and Cape Kiwanda create a great variety of things to do. Miles and miles of hiking trails snake throughout the area. Netarts Bay rules for crabbing and clamming (and some at Nestucca Bay), while Cape Kiwanda is the king for sandboarding down the top dune.

Hang gliding is smokin' hot at Oceanside and nearby. There's a couple of hidden surfing spots in the area around Pacific City. The Sand Lake Rec Area is big on ATV action. Hotels in Three Capes - Where to eat - Three Capes Maps and Virtual Tours

Just south of there, you get to the stunning and secretive beaches of Neskowin, and a 15-minute drive from there will get you into Lincoln City. The town is about 7 miles of meandering, beachy fun, which includes a glorious bay and a huge array of beachcombing possibilities. Bay clamming and crabbing are popular in the bay. Hotels in Lincoln City - Where to eat - Lincoln City Maps and Virtual Tours

Gleneden Beach and Depoe Bay are the next little towns. The bay here is chock full of fishing and whale watch guide boats. Just south of town are many high vantage points, and at least one secret part of the Oregon Coast Trail. Hotels in Depoe Bay - Where to eat - Depoe Bay Maps and Virtual Tours

Newport features miles and miles of beaches again, many of them surfing hotspots. Yaquina Head is huge for hiking. Fishing, clamming and other similar activities dominate at Yaquina Bay, with crabbing being some of the best on the entire Oregon coast. Hotels in Newport - Where to eat - Newport Maps and Virtual Tours

Waldport and Seal Rock are just south of town, with more hiking possibilities and fishing or clamming at Alsea Bay. ODFW often suggests Waldport if the northern coast is closed for razor clams. Hotels in Waldport - Where to eat - Waldport, Seal Rock Maps and Virtual Tours

At Yachats, the landscape turns from sand to surfaces made of rocky basalt, and these massive, craggy structures dominate. There’s the 804 Trail here – which is handicap accessible – and fishing can happen in the bay and sometimes from the rocks. Some surfers dig the baymouth. Hotels in Yachats - Where to eat - Yachats Maps and Virtual Tours

Between here and Florence sits 25 miles of unforgettable beaches, hiking trails and natural wonders. See the Upper Lane County Maps and Virtual Tours for details and photographs.

Then to Florence, where the centerpiece is the 40 miles of Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area as well as the Siuslaw River. Boating and fishing are big on that body of water, but the dunes open up an entire new world of adventures. Sandboarding was essentially invented in this area, and so much happens from here to Coos Bay in terms of dune buggy rides it's dizzying. Florence Oregon Virtual Tour, Map

Reedsport area's Winchester Bay has the usual boating, fishing, crabbing and clamming and such going for it. More Southern Coast

At Coos Bay, crabbing is quite fruitful as is Bandon – with lots of piers to drop your pot. Boating and fishing abound in these areas as well. Dirt biking is sizable in the hills just east of Bandon (as well as Newport). A handful of surfing spots are around here, too. Coos Bay, Charleston, North Bend Complete Guide: Southern Oregon Coast Travel

Port Orford is known for its hiking and whale watch spots, and maybe sporadic razor clams on the beaches. However, Gold Beach and Brookings don't provide much in the way of bay clamming or crabbing due to freshwater influence.

Gold Beach is known for its wild river boat rides, and it provides something different: sifting the local darker sands for gold nuggets. Plenty of boats operate out of there and Brookings, so ocean crabbing and fishing can be good – and there's a couple of whale watch tours in that last chunk of south Oregon coast.

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