Mile 118
Cape Arago, Simpson Reef, Shell Island, Sea Lion Viewpoint
Coos County
Latitude: 43.316165119802
Longitude: -124.393490343920
Longitude: -124.393490343920
Vehicles:
- Motor vehicle travel is prohibited from south jetty at Coos Bay, (43° 21.1158', Mile 123) southerly to Fivemile Point (43° 13.2228', Mile 109), except as follows: (A) Motor vehicles are allowed at any time on the ocean shore at the south jetty of Coos Bay (43° 21.0990', Mile 123), southerly to (43° 21.0036', 124° 20.4822', Mile 123); (B) Motor vehicles are allowed at any time on the ocean shore at the north end of the Sunset Bay State Park (43° 20.0880', Mile 120) for the purpose of boat launching.
Motor vehicle travel is prohibited from south jetty at Coos Bay, (43° 21.1158', Mile 123) southerly to Fivemile Point (43° 13.2228', Mile 109), except as follows:
(A) Motor vehicles are allowed at any time on the ocean shore at the south jetty of Coos Bay (43° 21.0990', Mile 123), southerly to (43° 21.0036', 124° 20.4822', Mile 123);
(B) Motor vehicles are allowed at any time on the ocean shore at the north end of the Sunset Bay State Park (43° 20.0880', Mile 120) for the purpose of boat launching.
Tides: NOAA Tide Predictions. Click on the station nearest to your location to see predicted tides in graphical and tabular formats.
Mile 118 Reports (20)
2022
August 22, 2022 - GasiorowskiM
Shore Acres State Park is a lovely place, with beautiful vistas and hiking trails, hundreds of marine mammals visible at Simpson Reef Overlook, and a wonderful botanical garden. Afternoon fog often reduces visibility at the Overlook. It is a popular destination, with many visitors especially at the Overlook and Simpson...read more
2016
July 14, 2016 - D Bone
Thirty-seven people were observing wildlife at Simpson Reef. Another 8 were hiking the trail. Shell Island and Simpson Reef had molting Northern elephant seals, good numbers of Stellar sea lions and harbor seals, and few California sea lions. Birds included 1 Bald eagle, Pacific loons, Pigeon guillemots, Black oystercatchers, and...read more
2015
July 31, 2015 - D Bone
Wildlife was a major feature of this trip, as usual. California sea lions are returning in numbers from their annual trip to their breeding grounds on the Channel Islands of Southern California. In response, Steller sea lions numbers dropped from earlier in the summer. There were 3 Northern elephant seals...read more 2012
July 29, 2012 - D Bone
I saw a total of 5 people. Two were hiking with 3 dogs. The other two were watching wildlife. In addition there were 10 sport fishing boats.According to Shoreline Education for Awareness wildlife interpreters that I talked to yesterday, the California sea lions have just started returning from the breeding...read more June 10, 2012 - D Bone
Human Activities; 2 people walking their dogs and picking up trash, 2 people fishing, and 2 people watching wildlife. Shoreline: What little of this mile that is accessable beach is closed until the end of June because of Harbor Seal birthing. Did observe 2 Raccoons feeding in the tidepools. Shell...read more 2011
June 2, 2011 - D Bone
The little available beach on this mile is still closed for Harbor Seal birthing. I have seen 2 born this last week. A total of 15 female and juvenile Northern Elephant Seals are on the Shell Island beach going through their yearly catastrophic molt. Both California and Stellar Sea Lions...read more March 25, 2011 - D Bone
Not much happening. Some erosion at the south end of the mile where there usually is during the winter. Few sea lions of any type. A lot of Harbor Seals including the first pups of the year(The limited beach area on this mile is closed this time of the year...read more 2010
December 31, 2010 - Pat&RobertaSmit
A lady sketching seals and sea lions from the Simpson's Reef Viewing Area pointed out an Elephant Seal with two pups. I did not realize it was pupping season for Elephant Seals. As we watched through binoculars and the lady's telescope we saw a cheeky gull chased off by one...read more
September 28, 2010 - D Bone
About 2,000 marine mammals were on Shell Island. Over half were Steller sea lions,a few Harbor seals,and the rest were California sea lions. Saw 4 Black Oystercatchers,8 Harliquin Ducks(7 males,1 female),and 4 Brown Pelicans. Saw only 1 Turkey Vulture as this is when they migrate. Many cormorants were in the...read more June 26, 2010 - D Bone
Area is as expected this time of year. Migration of Ca Sea Lions doesn't seem to be in full swing because of the numbers that are still here. Stellar Sea Lions have moved into the area. Many mother/pup pairs of Harbor Seals noticed as well as yearlings. One male Nothern...read more 2009
June 9, 2009 - D Bone
What little accessable beach on this mile is closed at this time of the year for protection of harbor seals that might be giving birth.All 4 usual species of marine mammals were present. I would have expected fewer Ca Sea Lions since it is time for them to start heading...read more March 26, 2009 - D Bone
There was the usual wet &/or muddy sections on the trail, streams and waterfalls, and erosion in the areas where I would expect to see them at this time of the year.There was new vandalism in the form of writing on the new concrete base for the replacement bench(yet to...read more 2008
December 30, 2008 - D Bone
A total of 25 people were observed.17 were at the Simpson Reef Overlook watching the marine mammals below and looking for whales. Two of the 7 hikers had 2 dogs on leashes. One of the hikers was collecting moss,which is his hobby. Construction to replace the bench destroyed by vandals...read more August 21, 2008 - D Bone
Wildlife again dominates the scene. Male California Sea Lions are returning from the breeding grounds.The last molting male Northern Elephant Seal is on the beach of Shell Island.I did see a California Gray Whale along the reef 2 times the second and third day after my hike.With all of the...read more March 30, 2008 - D Bone
Variety of wildlife species was abundant although numbers of some were not great (California and Steller Sea Lions). Cycles of the season were in effect with the Gray Whale migration (100 observed passing this mile during Whale Watch Week) and pregnant Harbor Seals in great evidence and the fact that...read more 2007
December 9, 2007 - D Bone
About a week before this observation, there had been sizeable storms in the area. This was evidenced by downed branches and trees as well as slides along the bluff(none were too serious). There was considerable trash in the driftline as well along the trail. Some of the trash indicated inappropriate...read more September 22, 2007 - D Bone
The mile had a good summer. Tree cone production was plentiful, and parts of the trail had good moisture content. The kelp forests were thick. This summer there were usually 4-6 summer Gray Whales in the area. The large numbers of Ca. Sea Lions indicates that the males have returned...read more March 29, 2007 - D Bone
There were more land slides and larger ones than the last several years. Wildlife was as expected for this time of year. 7 Elephant Seals, many pregnant harbor seals, less than 1000 California Sea Lions, Black Oyster Catchers, 3 great Blue Herons and gulls. Kelp/algae, wood pieces, styrofoam and ocean-based...read more 2006
December 20, 2006 - D Bone
A 3ft. Santa Claus in driftline south of Sea Lion Overlook. 1 decomposed sea lion. Beach and trail free of litter. Benches free of vandalism. Wood chips placed on trail but still has a water”gully” in it. Cliff erosion north and south of overlook. Northern plant reclamation areas has been...read more July 1, 2006 - D Bone
Two dead California Sea Lions and 1 dead Harbor Seal. Most California Sea Lions left area for breeding season. Large number of Stellar Sea Lions. Bog Lily restoration sites becoming overgrown with brush with no evidence of lilies. Three blooming Bog Lilies along trail. Slumped road cuts cleaned and reseeded...read more