Wakeman Beach stretches along the southern Oregon coastline approximately 5.5 miles north of Gold Beach, offering a quieter beach experience away from the more developed coastal areas while providing excellent opportunities for fishing, rockhounding, and tide pool exploration. This accessible beach near Nesika Beach features rocky sections interspersed with sandy stretches, creating diverse coastal habitats perfect for beachcombing and nature observation. The beach's name honors the Wakeman family, significant in Curry County history as evidenced by the Alice Wakeman Building that houses the Curry Historical Museum in Gold Beach. While less developed than nearby state parks, Wakeman Beach attracts visitors seeking solitude and productive fishing grounds, with both sandy surf zones for casting and rocky areas providing structure for bottomfish. The beach's position along Highway 101 makes access straightforward for day visitors, and the surrounding coastline benefits from winter storms that reveal fresh rockhounding material deposited by waves and coastal rivers.
Fishing proves highly productive at Wakeman Beach with surfperch available year-round from the sandy beach areas, particularly during incoming tides when fish move into the surf zone to feed on sand crabs and other invertebrates. Both spinning and fly fishing techniques work well here, with fly anglers finding success using Clouser minnows and sand crab patterns while spin fishermen employ grubs and metal jigs. Rocky areas provide habitat for various bottomfish species, and the beach's proximity to the productive Gold Beach coastline means salmon pass offshore during spring and fall migration periods. Tide pooling opportunities appear during low tides when the rocky sections reveal pools containing sea stars in vibrant colors, giant green anemones, hermit crabs, sculpins, mussels, and barnacles, with tides of 0.0 feet or lower providing the best viewing conditions at least one hour before the lowest tide. Rockhounding ranks among Wakeman Beach's premier activities with agates, jaspers, petrified wood, and fossils appearing along the shoreline, particularly productive from November through April when winter storms strip away summer sand deposits and reveal treasures beneath. The area where coastal rivers meet the ocean proves especially productive for agate hunting, and the diverse geology of southern Oregon creates exceptional variety in collectible stones.
Gold Beach dining options sit just 5.5 miles south, easily accessible for post-beach meals. Port Hole Cafe overlooks the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Rogue River in the Cannery Building, serving award-winning clam chowder, fish and chips with fresh local rockfish, enormous Dungeness crab salads, and home-baked marionberry and chocolate cream pies. Crow's Nest Lounge at 29850 Ellensburg Avenue features Rogue River views alongside specialty fish tacos, burgers with Tillamook cheddar, wood-fired pizzas, and fresh seafood platters. Nor'Wester Seafood provides harbor-side dining with grilled wild salmon, pan-seared halibut, steaks, and pasta dishes highlighting local ingredients. Spinner's Seafood Steak and Chop House prepares prime rib, grilled steelhead, Dungeness crab cakes, and cocktails with Oregon wines. The Bite's On serves casual seafood baskets, clam strips, oysters, and ocean-view dining.
Wakeman Beach lacks lifeguard services and visitors must exercise extreme caution around the ocean where cold water temperatures, strong currents, and unpredictable sneaker waves create dangerous conditions year-round. Never turn your back on the ocean and supervise children closely, keeping them well away from the waterline. Swimming is not recommended due to cold temperatures typically ranging from 48-55 degrees and powerful undertows. When exploring tide pools, check tide tables carefully to avoid being trapped by rising water, and wear appropriate footwear as rocks become extremely slippery when wet or covered with algae. Tide pool visitors should minimize touching marine creatures and never remove organisms from this protected coastal ecosystem. Rockhounding proves most productive but also most challenging during winter months when storms create rough surf conditions, so exercise appropriate caution. Proper footwear with good traction is essential for both tide pooling and rockhounding on slippery rocks. Cell phone coverage may be limited in some areas along this section of coastline. Wakeman Beach offers excellent fishing, productive rockhounding, quality tide pools, and peaceful coastal experiences for visitors willing to explore beyond Gold Beach's more developed beach areas.
