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'Secret Season' of Oregon Coast in Full Bloom
April 18, 2008
(Oregon Coast) – It's the most neglected time of the year on the coast, yet it probably has the most interesting and awe-inspiring aspects of any season.
The latter half of spring – after all the spring break vacationers have disappeared from the beaches – is nicknamed the "secret season" on the Oregon coast because of its lack of crowds and a host of inviting, even unusual, natural features not found any other time of year. Weather pulls some interesting surprises, minus tides are often at their lowest of the year, sea foam is more apt do some wild stunts, and this spring in particular holds some wonders because of low sand levels and changes in beaches. Plus, lodging deals are in such great abundance they almost outnumber the visitors to the coast.
April brings a crazed kind of weather, often switching back and forth abruptly between sunny and squalls within the same day, sometimes within a half hour. You get an interesting mix of increasingly nice days, with occasional winter-like storms still possible – periodically within the same day.
Usually, by May, the storms have subsided, and the sunnier, warmer days are more frequent in number, interspersed by rainy days. But the moody skies that change within an hour still holds true during many days in May.
Thus, the weather reports won't tell the whole story, said Lorna Davis, Executive Director of Newport's Chamber of Commerce. The weather pundits on TV may predict one thing, but it doesn't mean that will hold true for the whole day.
"It's unpredictable weather year-round," Davis said. "But especially in spring, things change so quickly. Keep your eye on what's being said on the weather reports, and be prepared to throw your stuff in the car and head out quickly. You can also take advantage of some great last-minute travel deals too."
Davis said lodging prices are still near winter lows in Newport and elsewhere on the coast, with almost everyone offering incredible deals on weekends and weekdays, as they're looking to coax people in. "There’s a lot of two-for-one specials, or 'stay two nights and get the third free,' especially during the mid week," Davis said.
Why is it called the "Secret Season?" The nickname comes from tourism officials noting this time of the year has all these unique features, yet few venture out to the coast to see them.
More unusual aspects of the season are:
- Snow-like Sea Foam:
Those small storms of April create some wild possibilities, especially when paired with the larger blooms of phytoplankton that happen in spring. You then get a better chance of seeing sea foam pulling all sorts of strange stunts, like moving across the highways or even flying upwards, creating the mind-boggling sight of what looks like snow going the wrong direction.
According to Bill Hanshumaker, public information officer for the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, the little creatures that create sea foam are a form of phytoplankton known as diatoms. These tend to bloom in greater numbers in the spring, and seasonal storms can result in incredible sights such as foam so frothy it moves like flurries of snow.
- Whale Watching Still Hot:
Whales are still moving near the coast in great abundance in spring. The Whale Watch Center in Depoe Bay is the only place to get guided assistance in spotting these. Although if you stand around long enough on any day with calm seas (wild breakers hide the great cetaceans), you’ll spot one or two, if not a mother whale and her adorable calf.
To boot, Killer Whales – or Orcas – often hit the central coast region in the middle of the month. They usually loiter between Newport and Lincoln City, but are sometimes spotted as far south as the Florence area.
- Lodging Prices and Specials Abound:
Hoteliers are anxious to coax more people to the beach, and big mid-week specials are plentiful. Plus, off-season rates for weekends are still quite low. Often, the rule of thumb for lodging prices is that the higher-end places go down in price more than the lower-priced, smaller motels.
- Lowest Tides of the Year:
Some of the year’s lowest minus tides can happen in March, April and May, with May having a tendency to be the lowest. This allows for greater exploration of tide pools and other sights not always visible.
- Agate Hunting Prime Around Newport:
Agates are again found at Agate Beach in Newport, thanks to the sand-scouring action of recent year’s storms. They've been buried beneath the sand layers all along, and haven’t been seen there for more than ten years, until a couple years ago.
Lost Creek State Park and Thiel Creek – between Newport and Seal Rock – are still good for agates, including the famed "Newport blues."
- Purple Sails Hit the Beaches:
Typically, this time of year means the occurrence of what are nicknamed "purple sails," or velella velella, as they’re technically called. They look like small, purplish round jellyfish, with a small fin at the top. They often show up in spring or early summer, in great abundance, and usually start creating a pungent fishy smell while stranding on the beaches in such numbers. They start to arrive when the west winds kick up.
- Season of Baby Seals:
Spring can also bring baby seals to Oregon's coastline – but it is a really bad idea to go near them, besides the fact it's illegal. They are simply resting on the beach, and their mothers are usually waiting just a ways away. If you see a baby seal on the beach, do not touch it or go close. Call authorities.
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Newport, Oregon
The coast you remember.
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