Secrets of the Season

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Famed 'Secret Season' Descending on Oregon Coast

Killer whales near Florence (photo Tiffany Boothe, Seaside Aquarium)

(Oregon Coast) - It's the most neglected time of the year on the coast, yet it probably has the most interesting and awe-inspiring aspects of any season.

The latter half of spring - after all the spring break vacationers have disappeared from the beaches - is nicknamed the “secret season” on the Oregon coast because of its lack of crowds and a host of inviting, even unusual, natural features not found any other time of year. Weather pulls some interesting surprises, minus tides are often at their lowest of the year, sea foam is more apt do some wild stunts, and this spring in particular holds some wonders because of low sand levels and changes in beaches. Plus, lodging deals are in such great abundance they almost outnumber the visitors to the coast.

Newport is one of those major destinations which offer more to do and see during this unique season. When the weather is co-operating - and it does more than many people know - a wide variety of beaches, two lighthouses and numerous trails offer more coastal fun than you shake a piece of seaweed at. If the storms or squalls should kick in, you’re in for a show that rivals any big screen TV, and Newport’s multitude of dining, shopping and indoor attractions provide plenty of cover. Meanwhile, the town’s numerous lodgings provide a front row seat to nature’s manic show.

Stormy waves smack the coast in April

March and April bring a crazed kind of weather, often switching back and forth abruptly between sunny and squalls within the same day, sometimes within a half hour. You get an interesting mix of increasingly nice days, with occasional winter-like storms still possible – periodically within the same day. Those storms create some wild possibilities, especially when paired with the larger blooms of phytoplankton. You then get a better chance of seeing sea foam pulling all sorts of strange stunts, like moving across the highways or even flying upwards, creating the mind-boggling sight of what looks like snow going the wrong direction.

According to Bill Hanshumaker, public information officer for the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, the little creatures that create sea foam are a form of phytoplankton known as diatoms. These tend to bloom in greater numbers in the spring, and seasonal storms can result in incredible sights such as foam so frothy it moves like flurries of snow.

Devil's Churn: snow-like flurries of foam beginning their surreal, upward journey

These manifest themselves all over the coast. Near Yachats, the Devil’s Churn is set within a quarter of a mile-high crevice in the face of Cape Perpetua, creating an enormous tube that sometimes funnels the flurries of foam into an upwards direction – looking like snow going the wrong way.

All over the coast, in places where the highway is close to the beaches, like Rockaway Beach, Oceanside, and just south of Newport, you may see this phenomenon of snow-like foam drifting across the highways.

Whales are still moving near the coast in great abundance in spring. The Whale Watch Center in Depoe Bay is the only place to get guided assistance in spotting these. Although if you stand around long enough on any day with calm seas (wild breakers hide the great cetaceans), you’ll spot one or two, if not a mother whale and her adorable calf.

Wacky stuff still washes up on the beaches in the spring (pictured: Otter Rock)

To boot, Killer Whales – or Orcas – often hit the central coast region in the middle of the month. They usually loiter between Newport and Lincoln City, but are sometimes spotted as far south as the Florence area.

Usually, by May, the storms have subsided, and the sunnier, warmer days are more frequent in number, interspersed by rainy days. But the moody skies that change within an hour still holds true during many days in May.

Thus, the weather reports won’t tell the whole story, says Lorna Davis, head of Newport’s Chamber of Commerce. The weather pundits on TV may predict one thing, but it doesn’t mean that will hold true for the whole day.

Lodging prices will be lower in Seaside as well as everywhere else

“It’s unpredictable weather year-round,” Davis said. “But especially in spring, things change so quickly. Keep your eye on what’s being said on the weather reports, and be prepared to throw your stuff in the car and head out quickly. You can also take advantage of some great last–minute travel deals too.”

Davis said lodging prices are still near winter lows in Newport and elsewhere on the coast, with almost everyone offering incredible deals on weekends and weekdays, as they’re looking to coax people in. “There’s a lot of two-for-one specials, or ‘stay two nights and get the third free,’ especially during the mid week,” Davis said.

Often, the rule of thumb for lodging prices is that the higher end places go down in price more than the lower-priced, smaller motels. This happens in towns like Lincoln City, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Yachats, Florence and more.

Some of the year’s lowest minus tides can happen in March, April and May, with May having a tendency to be the lowest. This allows for greater exploration of tide pools and other sights not always visible.

More odd stuff will wash up in the spring, such as this log covered with sea life (photo Boothe)

Look forward to a huge new world to discover on the coast, as a myriad of objects both alive and inanimate open up. It means a lot more than starfish.

Agates are again found at Agate Beach in Newport, thanks to the sand-scouring action of the season’s storms. They’ve been buried beneath the sand layers all along, and haven’t been seen there for more than ten years, until a couple years ago.

“There are a couple of small agate-containing agate bars that are open along the meandering channel of Big Creek,” said Newport beach expert Guy DiTorrice.” The channel has shortened its hard-northerly track this past winter, opting for some wider sections closer to Agate Beach State Park.”

Velella velella on the beaches

DiTorrice added there are some agate-containing beaches open north and south of Lost Creek State Park and further north at Thiel Creek, with many collectors reporting nice picking, especially for a particular brand known as the “Newport blues.”

Typically, this time of year means the occurrence of what are nicknamed “purple sails,” or velella velella, as they’re technically called. They look like small, purplish round jellyfish, with a small fin at the top. They often show up in spring or early summer, in great abundance, and usually start creating a pungent fishy smell while stranding on the beaches in such numbers. They start to arrive when the west winds kick up.

Spring can also bring baby seals to Oregon’s coastline – but it is a really bad idea to go near them, besides the fact it’s illegal.

Inn at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms. Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly. Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com.

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