This Oregon Town Boasts Fantastic Crab, Whale Watching & Beard Beer

Newport, Oregon

Newport’s got the full package. One minute you’re watching fishing boats unload at Pacific Wharf, the next you’re sampling small-batch whiskey or checking out cutting-edge ocean research. With two lighthouses, a killer aquarium, and more fresh seafood than you can handle, it’s the rare beach town that actually lives up to the hype.

Where Dungeness Crabs Rule the Town

Did you know Newport is actually the “Dungeness Crab Capital of the World”? If you visit during winter months between December and February, you’ll find the tastiest catches, with January being when commercial crabbing really picks up.

The local port houses over 200 fishing boats that bring in millions from Dungeness crab sales every year. Want to try catching some yourself? Just grab a shellfish license, rent crab rings from local shops, and head to the public docks for your own seafood adventure.

Two Lighthouses With Ghost Stories

Newport has two lighthouses, each with its own story. The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse from 1871 barely worked before being abandoned, and now people say it’s haunted by a young woman who disappeared there.

When you visit, you can walk through the lighthouse keeper’s old living space just as it was back then. Since 2023, you can also check out the volunteer-run museum that displays items found during recent foundation work.

The Sea Captain Who Ate Sea Lion Flippers

Just a short drive south of Newport, there’s an amazing sea cave with quite a backstory. Back in 1880, Captain William Cox found what we now call Sea Lion Caves and ended up stuck there during a storm for days, supposedly staying alive by eating sea lion flippers.

The cave is massive, covering two acres with a ceiling that reaches 125 feet high. What many people don’t know is that local indigenous tribes knew about this cave long before Cox showed up and used it for important ceremonies.

Watch Sea Lions Lounge for Free

When you visit Port Dock One in Newport, you get to watch hundreds of California sea lions lounging around on specially built docks, completely free. These big animals can weigh up to 850 pounds and make a constant racket with their barking.

Something interesting about them is that only the males make the trip north to Oregon, arriving in late summer and heading back south come spring. The docks got a complete makeover in July 2023 thanks to donations from visitors like you.

The Tallest Lighthouse on the Oregon Coast

You can spot the Yaquina Head Lighthouse from miles away, standing 93 feet tall as the highest active lighthouse in Oregon. Ships can see its light from 19 miles out at sea, helping guide them safely to shore.

They spent $1.3 million fixing it up in 2022 to keep it looking historic while making sure it works properly. During whale migration seasons, you can join the trained volunteers at the interpretive center who help visitors track whales as they swim past the lighthouse.

A Bridge Made During the Great Depression

When you drive into Newport, you’ll cross the Yaquina Bay Bridge, built back in 1936 when the country was trying to create jobs during the Depression. The designer, Conde B. McCullough, included beautiful touches like Gothic-style concrete arches and decorated pylons that make it stand out.

In 2024, workers upgraded the bridge to protect it from earthquakes while keeping its historic look. You’ll see its outline on postcards, t-shirts, and just about every Newport souvenir you can imagine.

Harbor Life Meets Victorian Beach Town

Newport gives you two completely different experiences depending on which part you visit. The Harbor District buzzes with fishing boats unloading their catches right next to tourist shops, while Nye Beach feels like stepping back in time to when it was the favorite vacation spot on the coast in the early 1900s.

You can tell them apart by their buildings, with the harbor looking industrial and Nye Beach showing off Victorian cottages. Take the 1.5-mile walking path between them for great ocean views. If you love books, time your visit for the Nye Beach Writers’ Series that celebrates authors connected to the coast.

A Place That Rains a Lot But Still Has Plenty of Sun

Newport somehow gets about 77 inches of rain each year but still manages to have around 156 sunny days. This unusual mix creates those lush green coastal plants while giving you plenty of beach time.

Summer stays comfortable with temperatures rarely going above 75°F, and winter doesn’t get too cold, usually staying above 40°F. Early mornings often bring fog that makes for amazing photos, especially around Yaquina Head where the lighthouse beam cuts through the mist.

Walk Under Swimming Sharks and Rays

At the Oregon Coast Aquarium, you can walk through glass tunnels with sharks and rays swimming right over your head, making you feel like you’re walking on the ocean floor without getting wet.

This aquarium once housed Keiko, the famous orca from the movie “Free Willy.” For 2025, they’ve opened a brand new “Coastal Predators” exhibit with cutting-edge transparent habitats. You can even spend the night there with their “Sleep in the Deep” program, falling asleep surrounded by sea creatures.

Where Scientists Study the Deep Blue Sea

When you visit the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, you’re stepping into one of the world’s top marine research facilities. Scientists here study everything from ocean acidification to tsunami patterns and sustainable fishing methods.

They expanded their visitor area in 2025 with hands-on exhibits about climate change. Mark your calendar for April 22, 2025, when their Marine Science & STEM Career Day lets you learn about education and job opportunities in ocean sciences.

The Natural Cauldron That Fills With Waves

Just north of Newport, you’ll find the Devils Punch Bowl, where nature puts on a water show unlike anywhere else. During high tide, powerful waves rush into this collapsed sea cave, creating a swirling, churning pool that resembles a giant natural cauldron.

Visit during low tide and you can explore colorful tide pools filled with sea anemones and starfish. The bowl formed about 18,000 years ago when two sea caves collapsed into each other. Try visiting at sunset when the golden light makes the swirling waters look even more dramatic in your photos.

The Brewery That Makes Beer With Beard Yeast

Since 1989, Rogue Ales has called Newport’s home, helping start Oregon’s craft beer movement. They make some unusual brews, including their “Beard Beer” that uses yeast actually grown from the brewmaster’s beard.

When you visit their harbor brewery, you can watch fishing boats unload the day’s catch while tasting different beers. The Newport location specializes in creating small experimental batches using local ingredients, even making beer with oysters harvested right from Yaquina Bay.

An Ancient Lava Field That Sings When Waves Hit

The Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area shows you what happens when ancient lava flows from 14 million years ago meet the Pacific Ocean. This basalt headland stretches almost a mile into the sea.

Check out “Cobble Beach” where naturally polished basalt rocks make musical sounds as waves pull back from shore. Archaeologists have found evidence that indigenous peoples gathered seafood here for more than 4,000 years. The tide pools are home to over 160 different types of small creatures.

Visiting Newport, Oregon

Newport sits right in the middle of the Oregon Coast in Lincoln County, making it a perfect base for exploring the area.

You can drive in on US Highway 101, which runs right through town. If you’re flying, Newport has a small municipal airport (ONP) with limited service. Most visitors fly into Portland International Airport (PDX) and enjoy the scenic 3-hour drive to the coast.