The Sea Lion Caves
 
The Sea Lions Caves, located 11 miles north of Florence, Oregon is the largest sea cave in the world. Discovered in 1880 by William Cox. Formation of the cavern began about 25 million years ago. Descending 208 feet down into the world's largest and most spectacular sea cave. Elevator access to cave since 1961. The cave is the home of the wild steller sea lion, primarily during the fall and winter months and is called the hauling area. The Cave is made of Basalt Rock. The rock ledge below the lookout located just outside the cave is the sea lions home during the spring and summer, and is where they breed and bear their young.

Sea lions live at Sea Lion Caves year round. It now soars to the height of a 12- story building and stretches the length of a football field. Care is taken not to disturb the natural habitat of the wild animals that dwell here. Sea lions gather in this natural amphitheater, usually during fall and winter. In spring and summer, they breed and have their young on rock ledges just outside the cave. The variety of sea lions which live at Sea Lion Caves is commonly called the Northern, or Steller, sea lion. This sea lion is named after George Wilhelm Steller, an eminent German naturalist who accompanied the Danish explorer Vitus Bering in 1741 on his second Alaskan expedition. Steller was the first qualified observer to study and classify these animals.
The Steller sea lion is a member of the Otariidae family, or eared seal. It is characterized by an external ear which can be closed when entering water and by hind feet or flippers that point forward. In contrast, Phocidae, or true seal, has no external ears and it's rear flippers point backward. Also belonging to the Otariidae family is the California sea lion and the Alaska fur seal.
The Alaska fur seal (Callorhinus alascanus), is not found at Sea Lion Caves. The California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) is seen all along the Pacific Coast and is generally found at Sea Lion Caves from late fall to early spring. It readily adapts to captivity and is trained for circus acts.

The largest of the eared seal family and the principal tenant of Sea Lion Caves is the Steller sea lion. This animal is also considered non-migratory because there is no mass movement to summer or winter grounds, although individuals or small groups may travel hundreds of miles in search of food. It is found from the central California coast, north to the Bering Sea and back south into northern Japanese waters. A recent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Survey indicates a possible total population of nearly 80,000 Steller sea lions. Most of these animals live on the offshore islands and rocks of British Columbia and Alaska. Some Stellers live along the California coast and about one thousand reside in Oregon Waters. The number of Steller sea lions in the Sea Lion Caves area varies from season to season and from year to year with the herd averaging about 200 animals.
 
The Sea Lion Caves are open 9:00 am every single day of the year, except Christmas.
Admission
Ages 16 and older - $7.50 each
Ages 6-15 - $4.50 each
Ages 5 and younger - free
"Prices subject to change without notice"
 
Accessibility...How far do I have to walk?
In order to make the trip, you must go down as well as come back up 36 steps in our building to reach the outside trails. There are about 400 yards of uphill and downhill walking at a grade that ranges from 10% to 20%. You then reach the elevator that takes you down to the cave. There are also 63 steps in the cave in order to access the lighthouse viewpoint.
 
Will sea lions be there?
Yes. Year-round. They do not migrate. (about 20 of the bulls spend winters in Alaskan waters.)
 
Where will we see the sea lions ?
Generally in the spring and summer the sea lions are on the rocky ledges just outside the cave. This is their rookery, where breeding, birthing, and congregating goes on. During fall and winter they are usually inside the cave.
 
Mailing Address:
Sea Lion Caves
91560 Hwy. 101 N.
Florence, OR 97439
 
Phone: 541.547.3111
Fax: 541.547.3545
General Questions or Comments
E-mail: info@sealioncaves.com

Nearby Lodging areas Florence, Newport, Lincoln City - Oregon

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