Tunnel Beach: Hidden Beach Getaway of Oregon Coast

• Tunnel Beach is a hidden gem accessible through a man-made tunnel carved into the massive basalt cliff
• The beach is on of the best agate-hunting sites on the Pacific Coast

Tunnel Beach, near the town of Oceanside, is a hidden gem nestled among rocky cliffs and numerous sea stacks. This 300-yard stretch of sand and cobble lies just south of Maxwell Point's basalt headland, between Oceanside Beach and Lost Boy Beach.

The Oceanside Beach State Recreation Site offers parking with a path leading to the sandy shores of Oceanside Beach. Here, visitors can enjoy a refreshing ocean breeze, views of the vast Pacific, and the stunning Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge.

To discover the beach’s namesake, head to the north end of Oceanside Beach. There, a man-made tunnel carved into the base of Maxwell Point leads to a more rugged, scenic coastline. This easy 0.8-mile round trip from the parking lot reveals a secluded section of shoreline beyond the tunnel.

Constructed in 1926 by the Rosenberg family, who owned a nearby resort, the 90-foot-long tunnel allowed guests easier access to the hidden shore. The tunnel begins with a concrete, bunker-like corridor, which gradually gives way to rocky walls and a rougher path underfoot. Large boulders and driftwood, brought in by waves and king tides, line the tunnel. Some natural light filters through, but it’s still advisable to bring a flashlight or use your smartphone light to avoid tripping or stumbling over unseen obstacles.

Once you emerge from the oval portal at the other end of the tunnel, you'll find yourself on a secluded beach, surrounded by towering cliffs and dotted with numerous sea stacks. During super low tides, you can reach Tunnel Beach by simply walking around Maxwell Point, bypassing the tunnel entirely.

To the north of Tunnel Beach lie Lost Boy Beach and Short Beach. According to local legend, Lost Boy Beach got its name from a boy who disappeared in the area over a century ago. This beach, a picturesque 1,000-foot cove, has no direct road or trail access, adding to its air of mystery and isolation.

However, access to Lost Boy Beach from Tunnel Beach or Short Beach is neither safe nor recommended. Those who choose to explore should use extreme caution to avoid being trapped by rising tides.

A relatively safe visit to Lost Boy Beach is only possible during extremely low tides, requiring a minimum of minus two (-2) feet. Super low tides, though, are rare along the Oregon Coast, and such access-worthy conditions occur only a few times each year, lasting for a short window of time.

Tunnel Beach Rockhounding

Tunnel Beach is a popular spot for rock collectors, offering plenty of opportunities to find unique minerals. During winter, waves and king tides strip away the top layer of sand, revealing hidden coastal treasures. The best time for rockhounding is at low tide, when collectors can discover clear agates, as well as green, blue, and yellow jaspers, zeolites, and even marine fossils.

Watching Wildlife

Oceanside and Tunnel Beaches are known for their scenic interdial area. During low tides, visitors can explore the rich marine life, including colonies of mussels, anemones, and sea stars.

Just offshore, the Three Arch Rocks area consists of numerous sea stacks, islands, and rocks. In 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt designated this area as a National Wildlife Refuge. As the smallest wilderness in the United States, it serves as a nesting site for seabirds such as tufted puffins, cormorants, and common murres. The refuge is also the only pupping site on the North Coast for Steller sea lions.

Please note that the Three Arch Rocks Wilderness is closed to public access to protect the wildlife.

Cautions: Beware of changing tides, rip currents, driftwoods, sneaker waves.

NEVER turn your back to the ocean!

Open: Year-round
Managed by: Oregon State Parks

Amenities: Restrooms
Activities: Rockhounding, hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching

Distance from the parking area: 0.4 miles
Road access: Any vehicles
Day-use fees: None

Tunnel Beach is located:

• 9 miles west of Tillamook
• 81 miles west of Portland.
• 82 miles northwest of Salem.

Attention Fellow Beachgoers

Unfortunately, our beautiful Pacific North West 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!

Every time you go out to enjoy nature at your favorite spot, please bring a garbage bag or two and help us pick up garbage. Even picking up a little bit here and there will make a huge difference long term.

Please, help us save our beautiful nature for the generations to come!