• Agate Beach, together with Nye Beach, creates nearly 5 miles of shoreline
• Yaquina Head Lighthouse is right next door and you can see it from the beach
Agate Beach is a sandy shoreline extending from Yaquina Head in the north to Nye Beach in the south. It is about 2 miles long, and together with Nye Beach, it creates about 5 miles of uninterrupted shoreline.
The extended beach is an excellent place for walking, fat tire biking, jogging, fishing, surfing, rockhounding, beachcombing, clamming, and other adventures.
Surfing
Agate Beach is an excellent surfing spot. The best surf breaks are at the northern tip of the beach. Most surfers use the rip current near Yaquina Head for swift access to the waves.
Additionally, this headland acts as a barrier against the strong north winds typical for the area.
Fishing and Clamming
Agate Beach is a popular surf fishing spot for redtail surfperch. The best time to catch it is around sunrise, especially on an incoming tide.
Additionally, the beach attracts clamming enthusiasts for a chance to find Razor clams.
Rockhounding and Beachcombing
As the name suggests, Agate Beach is the spot for agate hunting. Well, not really. While you can find some collectible rocks here, this is a sandy beach; therefore, much of the minerals hide under a thick layer of sand.
The best time to find agates, petrified wood, and other cool rocks is during winter after powerful storms, when the layers of sand are moved, revealing a hidden treasure.
Beachcombing, on the other hand, can be enjoyable year-round. Agate Beach and Nye Beach offer close to 5 miles of uninterrupted shoreline to explore.
Newport
Newport is the largest city on the Central Oregon Coast. It is home to the historic Bayfront, Oregon Coast Aquarium, Yaquina Bay Bridge, and other notable places and landmarks.
From Agate Beach, you can walk along the coast to the north, reach Newport's Nye Beach, and reach the city's oceanfront.
Nearby Newport has plenty of places to stay. This historic district is Newport's oceanfront resort area, rich in heritage and charm. It is also home to various eateries, including seafood restaurants, bars, art galleries, and souvenir shops.
Agate Beach: Lodging & Vacation Rentals
Newport has a massive selection of hotels and rentals. You can find luxurious resorts, simple stays, and everything in between here.
Agate Beach | Facts
Open: Year-round
Managed by: Oregon State Parks
Amenities: Restrooms
Activities: Hiking, beachcombing, kite-flying, fat biking, sandcastle building, picnicking, scenic viewpoints, jogging, fishing, surfing, rockhounding, clamming
Day-use fees: None
Dogs: Allowed
Agate Beach is located:
- 82 miles southwest of Salem
- 97 miles northwest of Eugene
- 134 miles southwest of Portland.
Adventures Nearby
Directions to Agate Beach
From Highway-101 in Newport,
- Take US-101 North
- Turn left onto NW 25th Street and follow it for 0.2 miles
- Turn right onto NW Oceanview Drive and follow it for 0.3 miles
- Turn right onto Agate Beach State Wayside.
Park your vehicle and walk through the tunnel to Agate Beach under the old Highway 101/NW Oceanview Dr.
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Attention, Fellow Beachgoers!
Unfortunately, our beautiful Pacific Northwest beaches are stained with trash, especially plastic. We at Oregon Discovery, as well as other unaffiliated groups of nature lovers, made a commitment to do our part in keeping our beaches clean, but we need your help too! Whenever you go out to enjoy nature at your favorite spot, please bring a trash bag or two and help us pick up garbage. Even picking up a little bit here and there will make a huge long-term difference. Please help us save our beautiful nature for generations to come!