Florence Sea Lion Caves

The Florence Sea Lion Caves are one of the best wildlife attractions along the Pacific Coast Highway, north of Florence and south of Yachats.

All Photos (c) Donna Dailey

To be honest, we weren't expecting too much when we visited the Florence Sea Lion Caves along the Oregon Coastal Highway, on our way from Florence to Yachats.

Why pay to see sea lions, when you can see them for free all along the Pacific Coast, even if they are in the world's largest sea cave? How wrong we were. The Florence Sea Lion Caves turned out to be one of the best wildlife attractions on the whole Pacific Coast Highway.

Our Pick of the Oregon Guides

It was late in the day on a cold and grey March afternoon when we visited. There's a big free car park, and lots of visitors despite the dull weather. Lots of sea lions too – about 200 in the caves right now, we were told at the ticket desk.

It's hard to picture that number till you see them, but first we walked around outside. To the south there's a viewing platform, and we got great views of sea lions lazing on the rocks, and pups playing with each other.

Florence Sea Lion Caves

Getting to the World's Largest Sea Cave

The Florence Sea Lion Caves were first opened to the public in 1932, and an elevator was added in 1961 to take visitors down 208 feet to the viewing area. It's an odd feeling, taking an elevator deep underground, but that's nothing to the amazing sight that greets you when you get down there.

From the elevator you walk along a passage, where there are displays about the sea lions. This takes you to a dark area, where there are holes in the rock looking right inside the world's largest sea cave. And the cave is just filled with sea lions. Some of them are only a few feet away, seemingly unaware of the visitors there in the semi-darkness. You're asked not to use flash photography, so as not to disturb the animals.

Facts about the World's Largest Sea Cave

The cave was formed about 25 million years ago, but was only discovered in 1880. Made of basalt rock, it is as high as a 12-story building and covers an area the size of a football field.

When to Visit the Florence Sea Lion Caves

Though the weather may not be as good, the best time to visit the Sea Lion Caves is during the fall and winter. That's when most sea lions congregate together inside the caves. In the winter of 2009-10, when the sea lions inexplicably disappeared from around San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, many turned up later in the Florence Sea Lions Caves!

Scientists said that the animals do normally migrate north in winter in search of food, but that winter they went to the Oregon coast in unusually large numbers.

Inside the Sea Lion Caves

It's like suddenly walking into a wildlife film on TV, but with one extra dimension – the smell! It's not too unpleasant, but it's certainly a strong and fishy whiff. It's only matched by the noise, the honking of the sea lions echoing round the cave.

Add the smell and the sound to the stunning sight of all these animals inside this vast cavern, with the waves crashing in from the sea, and it all adds up to the one of the best wildlife experiences we had on our Pacific Coast Highway trip.

What Else Is There at the Florence Sea Lion Caves?

As well as the caves themselves, and the displays, there are also good views and photo opportunities looking along the coast to the north.

Here's what Mike wrote in his notebook:

Terrific views of the Heceta Head Lighthouse, past cliffs that are filled with seabirds, water dripping down them, a waterfall tumbling into spray down the mossy cliffs. There are guillemots and gulls, and crashing white waves on the rocks.

The Heceta Head Lighthouse, seen from the Sea Lion Caves

More Information on the Sea Lion Caves

For more information, visit the website of the
Florence Sea Lion Caves

Other Wildlife pages

Santa Barbara Whale Watching
Santa Barbara whale watching cruises in southern California can be booked through Condor Express, with whale watching trips leaving from the harbor.
Salmon Spawning along the Pacific Coast
Pacific Coast Highway Travel explains where to watch salmon spawning along the Pacific coast of California, Oregon, and Washington.
Whale Watching from the San Diego Shoreline
Whale watching trips and tours in San Diego are one of the California city's best activities but you can watch the whales from the San Diego shoreline too.
Oregon Coast Hotels and Inns
The Oregon Coast's hotels, inns, guesthouses, b&bs and other places to stay include 5-star luxury hotels and resorts, motel chains, RV parks, and camping.
Brookings
Brookings in Oregon stands on the Pacific Coast Highway at the southern end of the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor.
Depoe Bay
Depoe Bay is on the Oregon coast, a little village that's noted for whale-watching, for its spouting horns and has the smallest navigable harbor in the world.
Astoria Hotels near the Pacific Coast Highway in Oregon
Pacific Coast Highway Travel reviews five Astoria hotels in the budget, moderate and expensive categories and all taken from their guide to PCH accommodation.
SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld in San Diego is the original marine theme park, featuring killer whales, dolphins, shark encounters, manatee rescue, and Journey to Atlantis.
North Bend Casino Hotel
The Mill Casino Hotel and RV Park in North Bend and Coos Bay on the Pacific Coast Highway is Native-American owned and with waterfront views.
Humpback Whale
Seeing a humpback whale in the Pacific Ocean off the coasts of California,Washington or Oregon is often the highlight of a whale-watching tour.
Ocean Lodge Cannon Beach Oregon
The Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach, Oregon, is a romantic ocean front accommodation near the Pacific Coast Highway that is pet-friendly and family-friendly too.
Northern Elephant Seals
Pacific Coast Highway Travel tells you what you need to know about California’s Northern Elephant Seals, and where to go to see them in their natural habitat.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium on Cannery Row is one of the top sights in Monterey and along the whole Pacific Coast Highway.
Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach is a small town on the Oregon coast on the Pacific Coast Highway and with its coastline, state parks and beaches among its attractions.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a partner of San Diego Zoo and offers the chance to see wildlife in its natural habitat with a wide range of safaris on offer.
Tillamook
Tillamook in Oregon is prime cheese and dairy country with the County Creamery and Blue Heron French Cheese Company among the visitor attractions.
Overleaf Lodge Yachats
The Overleaf Lodge in Yachats, Oregon, is an oceanside hotel accommodation, right by the ocean, just off the Pacific Coast Highway and with spacious rooms.
Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway
Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.
Florence in Oregon
Florence is a small city on the Oregon coast, famous for its sand dunes and sea lion caves, and with the Pacific Coast Highway going right through the centre.
Gold Beach Oregon
Gold Beach is a small town on the Oregon coast at the mouth of the Rogue River with the Pacific Coast Highway running right through it.
Yachats
The Pacific Coast Highway Travel guide to Yachats in Oregon, with a brief history of the town, what to do and see, where to stay, and how to pronounce Yachats!
Whale Watching Coupons in Newport Beach
Whale watching coupons offering a big discount are available now in Newport Beach for cheap whale watching cruises with Newport Landing Whale Watching.
Astoria in Oregon
The small port of Astoria in Oregon sits right on Highway 101, the Pacific Coast Highway, at the mouth of the Columbia River.
Whale Watching in California
Whale watching in California is one of the most popular things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway, in places like San Diego, San Francisco and many more.
Where to Eat in Yachats
The Pacific Coast Highway Travel guide to where to eat in Yachats, Oregon, focussing mainly on places with local organic produce, and mostly along Highway 101.