Moolack Beach stretches approximately 3.5 miles along the Newport coastline from Beverly Beach State Park at the foot of Cape Foulweather southward toward Yaquina Head, offering a serene and less crowded beach experience approximately five miles north of central Newport. Wade Creek serves as the dividing line between Moolack and Beverly Beach to the north, with the northernmost access featuring a small parking area and an easy safe 0.1-mile forested pathway to the beach at the creek. Highway 101 runs along an unstable old dune terrace creating multiple turnouts with parking along the two-mile stretch from milepost 134 to milepost 136, providing various beach access points though some paths can be steep requiring caution particularly for families with young children. This favorite secluded beach for beachcombers offers uncrowded conditions and exceptional rockhounding opportunities that attract collectors searching for agates, sea glass, and fossils dating back over 15 million years. The beach's unique rock formations and extensive tide pools provide endless exploration opportunities, with winter storms uncovering hidden treasures like vibrant agates, jaspers, calcite-replaced shell fossils, and petrified wood along the sandy shoreline and among gravel deposits.
Beachcombing ranks as Moolack Beach's premier activity with collectors finding incredible agates in various colors and patterns, vibrant sea glass in greens, blues, browns, and rare colors smoothed by years of wave action, ancient fossils including shell fossils with calcite replacement dating back over 15 million years, petrified wood, jasper, and interesting coastal stones concentrated by wave action along the tide line. The best beachcombing occurs during low tide particularly in winter months when storms expose fresh material and receding water opens up tide pools leaving treasures stranded on open sand. Timing visits to catch outgoing tides provides optimal conditions for discovering shells, agates, and fossils. Tide pools appearing among the beach's rock formations during low tides reveal diverse marine life including sea stars, anemones, hermit crabs, shore crabs, mussels, chitons, and small fish in protected pools perfect for observation and photography. Beach walking extends for 3.5 miles with possibilities for moderate 10.3-mile round-trip hikes from Devil's Punchbowl at Otter Rock down Beverly Beach through Moolack Beach offering stunning wave views and Yaquina Head Lighthouse sightings in the distance. The beach features cascading cliffs, bluffs, and dramatic rock formations creating scenic landscapes. Swimming and surfing attract hardy visitors though cold water temperatures and strong currents require appropriate wetsuits and ocean awareness. Wildlife viewing includes harbor seals offshore, gray whales during migration seasons, abundant seabirds such as brown pelicans, cormorants, gulls, and various shorebirds, plus occasional sea lion sightings. The uncrowded character preserves peaceful conditions even during summer months when more accessible Newport beaches fill with tourists.
Newport's waterfront dining sits just five miles south with exceptional seafood restaurants. Clearwater Restaurant provides waterfront dining with lively sea lion entertainment, fresh local seafood, handcrafted cocktails, and indoor and outdoor seating overlooking Newport harbor. Georgie's Newport features stunning Pacific Ocean views with authentic Northwest cuisine including freshly caught halibut, wild salmon, Yaquina Bay oysters, Dungeness crab, steaks, and extensive wine selections. Local Ocean Seafoods offers boat-to-table dining with the freshest local catch, high-quality meals, a bar, retail market, and ocean and mountain views. Ocean Bleu at Gino's operates on the historic bayfront where most seafood is caught locally and processed onsite as officially recognized sustainable seafood, serving fish and chips, clam chowder, crab melts, and daily catches.
Moolack Beach access via steep paths requires caution particularly for families with young children, with sturdy footwear essential for navigating uneven terrain. Limited parking at multiple Highway 101 turnouts fills quickly during popular beachcombing times requiring early arrival or patience finding spaces. No lifeguards patrol the beach and the Pacific Ocean presents extreme dangers with cold water temperatures, strong currents, undertows, and unpredictable sneaker waves making swimming hazardous for all but the most experienced ocean swimmers in proper wetsuits. Never turn your back on the ocean and supervise children closely away from the waterline. Tide pooling should occur during low tide periods with constant awareness of rising water, and wet rocks become extremely slippery requiring careful stepping to avoid falls and crushing marine life. Beachcombing proves most productive during winter months when storms create rougher conditions requiring appropriate weather gear and ocean safety awareness. The unstable dune terrace along Highway 101 means visitors should remain on designated paths and avoid climbing cliffs or unstable formations. Cell phone coverage should be reliable near Highway 101. Moolack Beach offers no facilities beyond parking areas, requiring visitors to bring water, food, and supplies for extended stays. Weather on the Oregon Coast changes rapidly with fog, wind, and rain developing quickly. Moolack Beach combines 3.5 miles of uncrowded sandy shoreline, exceptional beachcombing for agates sea glass and ancient fossils, prolific tide pools, dramatic rock formations, and proximity to Newport's waterfront dining, creating a dream destination for rockhounds and beachcombers seeking one of the central Oregon Coast's finest treasure-hunting beaches.
