America’s largest sea cave is located on the Central Oregon Coast, about 11 miles north of Florence, OR along Highway 101. Sea Lion Caves is a privately owned marine preserve where you can descend 12-stories down via elevator to view a giant cave filled with Steller Sea Lions. The cave is made of basalt rock (a.k.a. volcanic shit) and was formed 25 million years ago. At times there can be upwards of 300 sea lions in the cave! Can you imagine how LOUD that barking must be? And the smell, gag–which I can attest, is pretty rank.
The Sea Lion Caves attraction is open year round, but there are seasons that are better to visit than others. The cost to take the elevator down into the cave is $16 for adults and $10 for kiddos aged 5-12, and free for kids 4 and under. If you’re visiting for the first time we highly recommend going into the cave; even if there are no sea lions down there, it’s still pretty interesting. And how often do you get the opportunity to visit America’s largest sea cave?! #bucketlist
You’re probably thinking, how would you know if there are sea lions in the cave? There’s a live cam inside the gift shop where you purchase your tickets. When we first visited the staff informed us about the camera, and although there were only around 40 sea lions in the cave we still chose to check it out. Though I dream about the day we’re lucky enough to stumble upon a cave full of ’em! On our trip this past October, we learned (the hard way) that sea lions only seek shelter in the cave during winter. In the spring, i.e. breeding and birthing season, they move outside of the cave where they hang out throughout the summer. Fortunately for us there was one lonely sea lion sleeping inside the cave on a large boulder, 20 or so perched along the cliffs outside the cave entrance, and countless pods of happy little sea lions diving and playing in the ocean outside of the cave. As you walk down the path to the elevator, be sure to peek out over the cliff to spot sea lions along the cliffs down below. The top of the headland by the gift shop is also a great place for spotting whales given its high vantage point and unobstructed views.
There are a handful of educational displays scattered throughout the cave teaching readers about the area’s history and local wildlife. Only bars covering a large opening in the cave wall separate visitors from the crashing sea and wildlife below (this is how I know the sea lions skink!). A large, intimidating set of stairs–you may be tempted to skip them, don’t–leads up to a former visitor entrance where you can peek out of the cave to view the Heceta Head Lighthouse a few miles north. Supposedly, according to a sign in the cave, it’s the world’s most photographed lighthouse. Whether or not that’s true, we probably have hundreds of pictures of it ourselves! The first time we visited the cave, during winter, there was even a small waterfall cascading down the cliff where you can see Heceta Head. So. Very. Cool.
If we can offer a few more tips for your visit to Sea Lion Caves, we suggest parking across the street in the overflow lots. There are way more spots, and it’s easier to make a right out of the parking lot onto Highway 101 North (where we’re typically going). Now if you’re heading south towards Florence after leaving the cave, it’s probably easier to park on the same side as the gift shop. Sometimes cars are cruising so fast on 101 and you don’t see them flying around the corner until you’re halfway into the road! Be safe out there my friends.
Be sure to explore the gift shop too, which sports some artsy glassware, sea creature stuffies, and the typical touristy trinkets. And if you’re a fan of buttered popcorn, DO NOT sleep on their popcorn! Served up in a nostalgic red and white bucket, this deliciousness will only set you back $2. This popcorn is life changing! Every time we pass by Sea Lion Caves, at the very least we pop in (haha, pun highly intended) to grab some. The staff was kind enough to let us in on their tasty secret–it’s coconut oil! It just hits different than other oils we’ve used, and now it’s the only way we make it at home. I challenge you to try it yourself.
Popcorn and sea lions, can you really go wrong with this trip to the Oregon Coast?! Thanks for reading! Let us know if you have any questions or suggestions, and check out these post below for more things to do in Oregon:
Two Days Exploring the Central Oregon Coast