Natural Resources

As in all of Oregon, Bandon's beautiful beaches are accessible to the public. Access is at the South Jetty, from Coquille Point National Wildlife Refuge, Face Rock Wayside and several other state parks along Beach Loop Drive. Public access is also at Bullard's Beach State Park on the north side of the Coquille River where day use and camping sites are available.

Bandon's sandy beach is unique in that it is home to so many huge "sea stacks" (erosional remnants of an ancient marine terrace), which lend beauty and majesty to the coastline. Some of them are on the part of the beach which is not covered by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service rules: any rock that is surrounded by water at mean high tide is off limits (illegal) to climb and that includes Elephant Rock and Coquille Point Rocks (even though these are reachable from the beach) and Cathedral Rock (across from Face Rock Wayside), Table Rock and Rock 105 (Haystack). This rule is to protect the sea birds and seals that use these rocks for nesting, resting and caring for their young. They are part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. The land-based part of the refuge, Coquille Point, is the only one in the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge system. U.S.F & W.S. is developing Coquille Point and has placed helpful interpretive signs along the paved paths. This is a good place to view tufted puffins and other sea birds.

Adjacent to the south bank of the Coquille River and to the west of Highway 101 is Bandon Marsh, a birder's paradise, especially during migrations when thousands of shorebirds and waders can be seen. Accessibility is from Riverside Drive.

Bandon and binoculars make good partners!

Just south of Bandon is lovely Floras Lake, a wind surfer's paradise, as are the southern reaches of the beach away from the rocks and sea stacks.