Sea Lion Caves Introduction
Recorded by the Guinness World Record as the largest sea caves, the sea lion caves has been carved by the costal water surge for several thousand years. It is a cave connected to the Pacific Ocean and the only access to the cave for human being is through a gift shop. The cave is a sanctuary, rather a home for hundreds of sea lions and sea birds. It is a wonderful sight to see when the sea lions come out on the ledges of the rock during spring and summer.
Picture 1: Sea Lion Cave
Source: photos.igogue.com
Sea Lion Caves Location
Any one passing through the Highway 101 would definitely notice the sea lion cave which is located at the western side of the highway. The cave is around 11 miles further from Florence Oregon or 38 miles on the southern side of Newport.
Sea Lion Caves Oregon History
It is estimated that it must have taken around 25 million years for the formation of this cave. On a calm day, a local sea man, Captain William Coz entered the grotto through the western channel and discovered the Sea lion Cave. There was a day during his frequent visits to the cave that he got stuck inside for several days due to stormy weather. He survived on the meat of the flipper of a young sea lion. Later he purchased the land from the State of Oregon in the year 1887. Till 1926 when he and his heirs owned the property, there were no road links to the area.
Later in 1927 R. E. Clanton acquired the land and his intention was to open a business there. When the Highway 101 was planned along that route, in 1930, J. E. Jacobson and J. G. Houghton decided to join Clanton as partners and the three of them had a task of building a safe access to the caves. They risked everything they had to do so and were finally successful in building a safe access to the cave for the visitors. In August 1932, the Sea Lion Caves were open to the public.
The Sea Lion Caves were a great attraction for the people all over and it went well till the World War 2 broke out in 1942. Meanwhile Clanton withdrew from the partnership and since then the other two families and their successions mange the caves as a private responsibility.
Picture 2: view inside the Sea lion Cave
Source: www.oregon.com
Sea Lion Caves Attractions
Entering the Sea lion cave, descending through the cliff by elevator to a viewing area, one can usually hear the barking of the sea lions echoing in the vast marine cave, not only the sea lions but the cave is a natural habitat to many sea birds and their cries and wails echo around the caves. The surge of the ocean waves hitting the edges makes a soothing sound giving a sense of being very close to the nature.
If you want to see several sea lions with their young ones on the rocky ledges, spring and summer are the best times to visit the Sea Lion Caves. They don’t usually come out of the cave during fall and winter. There is this rare pigeon Guillemot, which is a migratory bird, seen inside the cave during their mating season in April.
The killer whales are of a great interest inside the caves which attack other warm blooded sea animals like the sea lions and have been seen attacking them though their attacking ground which is further northwards. The visitors can see numerous sea lion skeletons inside the cave. In 1982, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Sea Lion Caves, the bronze sculpture of sea lions was placed and has a background of the Heceta Head lighthouse which truly creates a memorable experience.
Picture 3: Sea Lions inside the cave
Source: www.google.com
Sea Lion Caves Tips for the Visitors
The temperature inside the cave during summer is as it would be during a walk outside on the beach. However during winters the temperatures drops inside the cave. Visitors would require comfortable shoes to walk around the stairs to the viewing angle. A short walk would reach the visitor to the elevator which would take them approximately 200 feet down to the base of the sea lion cave. One can chose the viewing angle from there. Apart from the sea lions, there are various other coastal wildlife that one can see from various view points, including the Heceta Head Lighthouse from the lighthouse view point inside the cave.
The visitors should also know that the cave that they are entering encloses hundreds of sea lions, therefore should be aware of the smell of the sea lions inside the cave. In order to get the closer view of the sea lions it is better to carry one’s own binoculars. Low light cameras are allowed instead of flash cameras inside the cave so as to avoid disturbing the animals.
Picture 4: Heceta Lighthouse near the sea lion cave
Source: www.google.com
Sea Lion Caves Hours of Operation
Every day: 9am to 5pm
During the thanks giving day and Christmas Eve the cave closes down before noon the previous day.
Sea Lion Caves Fees
Below 2 years of age: Free
Children (3 to 12): $8
Adults: $12
Seniors: $11
People from all over the country go to visit the Sea Lion caves to see the sea lions which call the cave their home. It is amazing to see the cave itself which is around 25 million years old. Apart from the sea lions basking in the sun on a rocky ledge, one also gets to see the sea migratory birds and the coastal wildlife. The visit to the Sea Lion Cave would definitely be a tour to remember.
Contact Detail
Address:
Sea Lion Caves,
91560 Highways 101 North,
Florence, Oregon 97439
Phone No: 541-547-3111
Fax no: 541-547-3545
Email: info@sealioncaves.com
Website: www.sealioncaves.com
