Starfish Cove is a hidden little cove on the Central Oregon Coast, tucked against the north base of Yaquina Head near Newport.

It lies at the southern end of Moolack Beach, with Schooner Point separating the cove from the main stretch of beach. Beverly Beach lies farther north.

The beach accesses are easy to miss and have little or no signage, helping keep the cove much quieter than nearby beaches. While Beverly Beach and Nye Beach draw steady crowds, Starfish Cove usually sees far fewer people.

What makes this place special? The dark, wave-cut rock platforms contain fossilized mollusks, and at low tide, they reveal tide pools filled with purple and orange sea stars, sea anemones, and crabs. You can also find ghost trees along the beach, adding another unusual feature to this secluded stretch of coast.

🟡 Weather and Safety: Avoid the cove during stormy weather or high seas. Unpredictable surf can send heavy breakers into the cove with little warning. Always keep an eye on the ocean and never turn your back on the waves.

How to Get to Starfish Cove

There are no marked trailheads for Starfish Cove, and some of the beach accesses can be difficult to spot. There are several ways to reach the cove.

NW 68th Street (Easiest). About one mile north of the Yaquina Head turnoff on Highway 101, turn west onto this narrow, inconspicuous road. A small parking area sits at the end of the road with a short trail to the beach.

From there, you can hike south along the shore to the cove about one mile. This is the recommended route.

NW 55th Street (Viewpoint). Just north of the Yaquina Head turnoff, turn west on NW 55th Street and drive to the end, where you can enjoy scenic ocean and Yaquina Head Lighthouse.

There is an informal trail to the beach, but it drops steeply down a sand bluff to the beach. This route is only appropriate for agile, fit hikers because the terrain can change frequently due to erosion.

For the safest and easiest access, use NW 68th Street.

Moolack Beach Low-Tide Hike (Long Route). Hike roughly 2.5 miles south from the Moolack Beach parking area, rounding Schooner Point at low tide.

The round trip covers about 5 miles. It is a scenic walk, but check the tide chart carefully since Schooner Point is impassable at high tide.

Wear sturdy footwear no matter which route you choose. The steep access trails can be slippery and unstable. If a section looks unsafe, turn back.

Things to Do at Starfish Cove

Tide Pool Exploring

This is the main draw. At low tide, the mudstone platforms create dozens of shallow pools filled with ochre sea stars, green anemones, crabs, and chitons. A minus tide exposes the richest habitat. Plan your visit around low tide and always watch for incoming waves.

Beachcombing

The rock throughout the cove holds fossilized clams and ancient mollusks embedded in the stone, some millions of years old. Loose fossil fragments can also be found along the base of the platforms.

You can also spot ghost trees along the beach, the weathered remains of trees exposed by erosion.

Birdwatching

Shorebirds frequent the rocks and beach, especially during spring and fall migrations. Black oystercatchers, turnstones, and sandpipers feed along the rocky platforms. Bring binoculars.

There are no camping at Starfish Cove. The nearest campground is Beverly Beach State Park, a short drive north on Highway 101.

The campground offers full-hookup, electrical, and tent sites, along with yurts, flush toilets, hot showers, an RV dump station, firewood, and a day-use area. Some campsites and yurts are accessible.

For lodging and vacation rentals, Newport is just a few miles south and offers options ranging from budget motels to oceanfront homes.

Agate Beach is even closer, with several lodging options nearby.

Lodging in Newport

Affordable vacation rentals at Agate Beach