Report Details

Mile # 229 consists of a rocky basalt coastline which rises approximately 50-70 feet from the ocean, making the area close to the ocean inaccessible. There is walkway in the community of Little Whale Cove that allows views of the coastline from some vantage points. The cove for which the community is named is located near the south end of the pathway. The north end of mile 229 is located in the South Point neighborhood, and one would need to climb out to the rocks to capture an image looking south from this northern boundary. The south end of mile #229 is located in a wildlife refuge, and one is prohibited from walking along the hills and rocks to the south end of the mile to capture images looking north  On December 22, 2018 there is a king tide. If you are used to seeing the ocean on a daily basis as the writer, there is a noticeable change in the height of the water levels today. Many of the rocks that one would see during a normal high tide are almost or completely covered. There are a few pair of Oyster Catchers chattering as they fly past the rocks. The ocean has covered their usual feeding spots. There is a group of about 12 Black Turnstone birds and a few Surf Birds high up on rocks within view. They scurry behind the rocks as one walks by, but if you stand for awhile the birds will reappear. Usually the birds are out of sight, down at the base of the rocky cliffs near the ocean, but on this king tide day there are few rocks near the ocean that are available to forage for food, so the birds are looking for food on top of the rocks. Usually, the cove looks like a separate body of water but today the cove appears to have merged with the ocean and there are small waves reaching the shore of the cove, another sign of the king tides.

Conditions

Temperature: 48 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SW. Tide Level: 10.2 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 6. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 6. Surfing: 1. Interesting to see a surfer out during a king tide. Today, the ocean has been calmer than the past several days.

Notable Wildlife

Viewed about 12 Black Turnstone high up on the rocks and a few surf birds.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells. There is no “driftline” or beach on mile 229, but with recent storms some small rocks, kelp, and shells were washed up to the walkway by the waves.

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All Mile 229 Reports

Showing 8 of 15 reports

Mile 229

South Depoe Bay

July 16, 2022

News of a dead sea lion was circulating in our community of Little Whale Cove the week of July 11.

njwhite

Mile 229

South Depoe Bay

December 13, 2020

King Tide of 10.

njwhite

Mile 229

South Depoe Bay

December 22, 2018

Mile # 229 consists of a rocky basalt coastline which rises approximately 50-70 feet from the ocean, making the area close to the ocean inaccessible.

njwhite

Mile 229

South Depoe Bay

August 28, 2018

Observed young Black Oystercatcher and parent on the rocks near the whale watching platform.

njwhite

Mile 229

South Depoe Bay

November 4, 2017

Pictures were taken from a central point along mile 229 looking to the north and south

njwhite

Mile 229

South Depoe Bay

July 13, 2013

MP229 Description90% of the mile is a pillow basalt headland rising approximately 50 feet above mean sea level.

earle@rother2.com

Mile 229

South Depoe Bay

December 14, 2012

Observed high tide (King Tide) at 11:50 a.

earle@rother2.com

Mile 229

South Depoe Bay

November 12, 2010

Beautiful fall day between storms.

earle@rother2.com