Obviously we are highly biased towards one specific activity that you can do in Newport, Oregon… FISHING! Newport has a rich fishing heritage and hosts the largest commercial fishing fleet in the state. In addition, Newport supports a great deal of fishing charters based out of the city and other charters that travel from around the state to fish out of the port. In addition to great fishing there are a lot of other amazing things to do and see.

 

Visit Newport, Oregon Light Houses

Newport hosts two beautiful lighthouses and in home to the largest lighthouse in Oregon. The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is found on the Yaquina Bay State park and stands 51 feet tall. This lighthouse was built in 1871 and was one of the first navigational aids in the Pacific Northwest.

The Yaquina Head lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Oregon and also goes by the  Cape Foulweather lighthouse. It is situated in Lincoln County near the mouth of the Yaquina River. Today the lighthouse is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and they offer ranger-lead tours and visits to the surrounding park.

 

Take Your Family to the Oregon Coast Aquarium

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is considered one of the top 10 aquariums in the United States. It’s displays and activities are largely based around the local plants and animas found in the Newport, Oregon area. The aquarium gained a good deal of popularity by being the home of Keiko, the Orca Whale that stared in the movie Free Willy.

Enjoy the Hatfield Marine Science Center

The HatField Marine Science Center sits next to the Yaquina Bay and is operated by Oregon State University. The visitor center has exhibits that mostly feature marine species, marine research, and the coastal environment.  One of the coolest attraction is a Giant Pacific Octopus. Other exhibits feature weather, tsunami, commercial fishing, ocean resource management, microscopic sea life, and tide-pool creatures and habitats. The visitor center offers public programs and tours year round.

 

Check Out the Tide Pools

There are several tide pools located in Newport, Oregon or within a reasonable driving distance. If you are visiting the Yaquina Head Lighthouse mentioned above, the park also has a great tide pool you can visit. In addition, you can also visit the Devil’s Punch Bowl State Natural Area, Seal Rock State Wayside or Fogarty Creek State Park for other great tide pools. 

 

Go Whale Watching

Newport, Oregon is right along the migratory path of the gray whales when they are traveling between the water of Alaska and the Mexican Baja Peninsula. In addition, there is a number of whales that summer near Newport. There are a number or whale watching tours you can take and it’s highly likely that you will spot whales when traveling from the port to your fishing locations if you are on a Newport, Oregon fishing charter. If you would like to try to see them for yourself from shore, the best time to spot them is in the morning. This is because the sun is at your back and not impending your view. We suggest lookin for spouts with your eyes and then picking up the binoculars.