Options for All Skill Levels
There are great spots to get out on the water all over the TIllamook Coast. Whatever your level—longtime landlubber or paddling pro—you have options here.
Safety First
Always check weather conditions and tide maps before heading out. A slack tide (the calm period between high and low tide) is best for exploration and discovery along waterways and inlets, but some access points require a high tide in order to get your boat going. If that’s the case, it’s best to time your adventure when the wind is calm and the tides don’t swing too far in either direction. Tidal forces can be extra strong near jetties and the mouth of bays (where the ocean and the bay meet), so take extra precautions here.
North County
The north fork of the Nehalem River converges with Nehalem Bay near Nehalem. You can start at either the downtown Nehalem boat launch or Wheeler Marina. It is a great paddle for beginners and intermediate paddlers who want to explore the scenic coastal waterways. As you paddle along the Nehalem River, watch cormorants and harbor seals fishing, Chinook salmon jumping, and nesting bald eagles. The bay is close enough to the Pacific Ocean to give you a little push up the river’s north fork during some incoming tides. Riding the tide is one of the benefits of coastal paddling.
A paddle or SUP adventure in Rockaway Beach can be found at Lake Lytle, with ample parking, a dock, a small boat launch, and relatively calm waters. There is lots to explore, including a little stream that brings you to nearby Crescent Lake. This location is ideal for beginners.
Mid-County
The Tillamook Bay watershed links five distinctive rivers together: the Miami River, Kilchis River, Wilson River, Trask River and Tillamook River. Put in at Sue H. Elmore Park in Tillamook to explore the Hoquarton Slough or start at Carhahan Park, also in Tillamook, to travel along the Trask River.
Garibaldi is known for its marina, home to many commercial fishers and crabbers, but there are also great spots for kayaking and SUPing. Check out the rocky beach across from Lumberman’s Memorial Park, which makes a great launch site during higher tides. From there, cruise around Miami Cove and catch a glimpse of wading birds and elk.
For the more advanced paddler, head west toward The Three Graces, a large stone outcropping situated near the mouth of the Tillamook Bay. These formations attract all kinds of sealife, from sea stars clinging to the sides, anemones tucked in the cracks, murres, cormorants, and pigeon guillemots gathering on the rocks, and sometimes seals popping up to say “hi.” You might even get lucky and catch some nesting Black Oystercatchers!
Cape Meares has a delightful access point for beginners and advanced explorers alike at Cape Meares Lake, adjacent to Bayocean Peninsula. You’ll see plentiful waterfowl and waders.
Netarts has great paddling in Netarts Bay, with an access point at the Netarts Bay boat ramp or the beach at Happy Camp.
South County
Sand Lake, Nestucca Bay, Little Nestucca River, Nestucca River and Salmon River are near Pacific City and Neskowin. With its seven-estuary system featuring six bays and over 800 miles of tidally influenced river systems it is sure to delight any paddler. You can also paddle upon clandestine sloughs and backwater channels to further enhance your flat-water experience.
For starters
Don’t have your own kayak and want some help getting going? Kayak Tillamook is an authentic guide service with strong environmental ethics that offers service in Tillamook County, providing year-round flat-water tours on lakes, bays, rivers and sloughs throughout the region. They lead tours throughout the area and prioritize making the trek comfortable for anyone—novices can safely test the waters on a group tour. Experienced guides make kayaking a fun and accessible sport to try, and as long as you bundle up, you can head out year-round.
What to Know Before You Go
With a little preparation, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are fantastic, leisurely ways to experience the beauty of our region. Make sure you dress warmly enough that you’ll be OK in the event of a capsize! Avoid cotton, which will soak up water like a sponge, and put on swimwear as your base layer. Other general necessities that will make your trip more comfortable:
- Sun protection (think sunglasses, sunblock, a good hat)—remember, you can burn even on a cloudy day!
- Neoprene wetsuit (depending on the weather and season!)
- Gloves (ward off blisters and insulate fingers from the wind)
- Water trail map (see below)
- Lip balm
- Insect repellent
- Water bottle
- First aid kit
- Waterproof bag (preferably one that floats!)
Consider how long your trip is going to be, and pack more food/water/clothing layers accordingly. And make sure you tell someone on shore your itinerary.
Once you’ve prepped on every other front, there’s the actual boat to consider. Buy or rent one, then decide if you want to head out alone or take a lesson to get the basics down. The Tillamook Coast has great options for each of these, and experts at stores, rental facilities and guide agencies who will help you get what you need.
Guided Trips: Kayak Tillamook
Kayak/SUP Rentals: Nestucca Adventures, Wheeler Marina
Accommodations with Kayaks/SUP included: Happy Camp Hideaway on Netarts Bay, Wheeler on the Bay Lodge on Nehalem Bay
And if you’re heading out with a buddy, you have the option of paddling in your own boats or sharing a tandem kayak to build your teamwork skills. But keep in mind that while a tandem looks like double the fun, it can be (a bit more than) double the work, too. While solo kayaks are light and maneuverable in the water, tandems are quite a bit heavier; their shape and size can make paddling cumbersome.
As long as you’ve planned ahead by checking the weather, the tides, and your gear, you’re ready to have a great time paddling the Tillamook Coast!
Kayak Launchers
There are three kayak launchers available: in Tillamook at Sue H. Elmore Park, in Wheeler at the public boat dock, and at Port of Garibaldi Marina.
Download the Oregon Coast Waterway Trail Guidebooks
Click on one of the guide book images above to download the PDF. You can also request a waterproof Tillamook County Trail map by mail.
