Mile 188 Report
Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area
November 7, 2025
This was the third day of the November 2025 round of king tides.
Report Details
This was the third day of the November 2025 round of king tides. Winds were considerably lower than on the first two days, but the surf was still quite high and rough. A few human visitors were watching the surf and staying off the south and north beaches. The resident harbor seals were nowhere to be seen. A large group of gulls and cormorants were clinging to the rocks offshore. Waves were regularly reaching the bluffs above the south and north beaches, leaving considerable driftwood behind and undoubtedly further eroding the bluffs.
Conditions
Temperature: 59 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Tide Level: 11.88 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 6. Sitting: 6. Other Activities: Very high king tides prevented visitors from going down to the beach on the south and north sides of the parking area. Everyone was there to watch the king tides..
Notable Wildlife
None of the harbor seals usually at this site were visible. The surf was much too high and violent for them to lounge on the rocky islands offshore or frolic in the shallows. Instead, a large, mixed group of 25-30 gulls and a few cormorants were hunkered down on the leeward side of one of the rocky islands, clinging tightly to the rocks, facing southward into the wind, and trying to avoid spray from the large waves. See photo.
Driftline Content
With powerful king-tide waves surging all the way to the bluffs overlooking the south and north beaches, it was impossible to climb down to the beaches to look closely. A large amount of driftwood was floating about in the surf, with some being deposited in various locations on the south and north beaches. See photos.
Natural Changes
With king-tide waves surging all the way to the bluffs about the south and north beach, there was undoubtedly further erosion of these bluffs.
Waves reaching the bluffs above the south beach.
High waves approaching the south beach.
Waves crashing near birds sheltering on rocky island.
Waves reaching the bluffs above the north beach.
Debris pushed by waves onto the north beach.
High waves approaching the north beach.
Report Images
Mark Gasiorowski
CoastWatcher
All Mile 188 Reports
Mile 188
Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area
This was the third day of the November 2025 round of king tides.
Mark Gasiorowski
Mile 188
Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area
A very low tide is the best time to visit Strawberry Hill because that is when many hundreds of sea stars and green anemones are visible.
Mark Gasiorowski
Mile 188
Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area
Strawberry Hill is one of the most beautiful spots on the entire Oregon coast, with beaches, tidepools, and rocky islands that harbor a wealth of wildlife as well as agates and other geological treasures.
Mark Gasiorowski
Mile 188
Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area
It was another beautiful day at Strawberry Hill, though the surf was rather rough.
Mark Gasiorowski
Mile 188
Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area
Mile 188 is a beautiful, diverse stretch of the Oregon coast.
Mark Gasiorowski
Mile 188
Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area
It was a beautiful day at Strawberry Hill.
Mark Gasiorowski
Mile 188
Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area
It was a beautiful day at Strawberry Hill, with many visitors -- and the resident harbor seals -- enjoying the balmy weather.
Mark Gasiorowski
Mile 188
Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area
The high surf (even at low tide) made for dramatic conditions during this visit.
Mark Gasiorowski
