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Learn more about the people, places, and wildlife that make Otter Rock Marine Reserve unique.
Dive Into The Marine Reserve
Climate Change and Oregon’s Coastal Ocean
Oregon’s coast is shaped by powerful natural forces, including ocean currents, seasonal upwelling, storms, and changing weather patterns. Scientists are observing long-term changes in the Earth’s climate that are influencing these natural…
Indigenous Presence
Before the first Europeans saw a glimpse of the coast from the decks of their ships, the region surrounding Otter Rock Marine Reserve was home to indigenous peoples who lived here for…
Kelp Forests at Otter Rock Marine Reserve
When you look offshore from the overlook at Devil’s Punchbowl you may see forests of bull kelp, a type of long, rubbery seaweed, swaying with the water. Bull kelp anchors to the…
Marine Mammals at Otter Rock Marine Reserve
A variety of marine mammals inhabit or visit the Otter Rock Marine Reserve. Here are a few of the most common marine mammals you may see while visiting. Whales While looking offshore…
Ocean Chemistry Along the Oregon Coast
The waters off Oregon's coast are among the most productive in the world, supporting rich marine ecosystems, thriving fisheries, and abundant wildlife. Scientists are also observing changes in ocean chemistry that can…
Seabirds and Shorebirds at Otter Rock Marine Reserve
Did you know that half of the nesting seabirds on the US West Coast nest along the Oregon Coast? In fact, the Otter Rock Marine Reserve provides nesting habitat to over 500…