Kayaking, Paddling, Surfing, and More

On Oregon's Adventure Coast, the ocean, bay, and rivers turn every visit into a playground for water lovers. Paddlers glide across calm bay waters on kayaks and paddleboards, and surfers head out to catch waves along the coastline. Anglers and shellfish hunters have plenty to look forward to too, with year-round access to great coastal harvests: cast a line for salmon, halibut, and rockfish, drop a trap along the bay's crabbing grounds, or dig for razor clams on the area's wide, hard-packed beaches known for good clamming. Whether you're paddling out at sunrise or hauling in the day's catch, the Adventure Coast offers something fun in the water for every skill level.

Woman lifting a yellow kayak from a self-service rental rack station beside a lake.

oman smiling while paddling an orange kayak under a wooden bridge through calm water.

Three women paddleboarding on calm water on Sunset Bay at sunset near a rocky coastline.

Teenager paddleboarding while two children ride along on the board near a bank in Sunset Bay.

Kayaking & Paddleboarding

Getting out on the water in a self-propelled vessel is a way to truly connect to the surroundings. With a number of lakes, rivers, ocean bays, and estuaries, Oregon's south coast offers kayakers and paddleboarders of all skill levels an abundance of options. For example, take a guided tour of the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, a protected area of land and estuary. Guided tours are offered by Reserve staff and local tour guides and charters. A variety of birds use this area, including bald eagles, ospreys, great blue herons, egrets, and belted kingfishers. The tides are gentle here, so we plan paddles around the ebb and flow to make the trip easier.

Paddle down the Coquille River or Coos River, explore the state parks and beaches around Sunset Bay, spend a day at Empire Lakes, or head out onto Coos Bay itself. For an extra adventure, bring your fishing gear and try kayak fishing! An ADA-accessible kayak launch is available at Empire Lakes (take the Hull entrance).

Kayaking on Coos Bay

Stand Up Paddle Boarding on Coos River

Adult and child in wetsuits holding red surfboards, looking out at the ocean and sea stacks at Sunset Bay.

Surfer in a wetsuit paddling out through a wave near a forested coastline.

Surfing on Oregon’s Adventure Coast

We’d love to be able to say, “come on in, the water’s fine” but it would be more like “come on in, the water’s fine, but cold, so wear a wetsuit”! Join your fellow surfers at one of the finest, most exhilarating surfing spots along the South Coast, Bastendorf Beach in Charleston. Bastendorff Beach is a favorite among surfers, kiters, beachcombers - locals and tourists alike. You'll find an uncrowded beach and spectacular ocean views.

Surfing & Protecting Our Oceans with Carmen Matthews & Rick Dancer

Bastendorff Beach Hints Video

Silhouette of a water skier carving a sharp turn, throwing up a large wall of spray at sunset.

Water Skiing

Tenmile Lakes in Lakeside, just 15 miles north of Coos Bay, is a great place for waterskiing and fresh water recreation! No wetsuit required from June to mid-September. The best time for flat water is before 11am or in the evening, but you can find a private spot to play down one of the many wind-protected arms of the lakes any time of the day. Try wakeboarding, tubing, waterskiing, trick skiing, knee boarding, wake surfing, or any watersport you can do behind a boat!

Tenmile Lakes is made up of two lakes (North and South) connected by a channel. You can launch your boat at the County Park on South Lake (parking fee required), beach your boat at the public sandy beach - Wulfy Beach - and play with the kids or soak up some sun (no fee required). Gas up your boat at and pick up boating supplies and snacks at Ringo's Lakeside Marina on South Lake. Dock your boat at Osprey Point Pub & Pizza or the Lakeshore Lodge and enjoy a meal with a lake-front view.

Equipment Rental

Don't have your own kayak, paddleboard, or surfboard? Local shops around Coos Bay can set you up with a rental and some sage advice to go with it.

And even if you do own your own gear, you don't have to bring it all this way. Rent here instead, and free up the trunk space for the rest of your trip.

Bahama Boards

650 Ivy Street, Coos Bay, 97420

541-808-3535

Rent kayaks, boogie boards, surfboards, stand up paddleboards, sand boards, PFDs, wetsuits, supplies and more. At the corner of Hwy 101 and Ivy Street.

Coastal Kayak and SUP Rentals

319 North Wall Street

Coos Bay, 97420

541-252-9201

Coastal rents recreational kayaks and stand up paddleboards in the Coos Bay area - see the full list of recommended waterways on their website! Single, tandem and fishing kayaks, SUPs, plus lifejackets and paddles. They will deliver and pick up equipment for an extra fee. Kiosks for renting on site are available at John Topits Park in Coos Bay. They offer tours for groups as well.

Waxer’s Surf Shop

242 S. Broadway