The highest tides of the year return to the Oregon coast this winter in three windows: November 23–27, 2026, December 22–26, 2026, and January 20–24, 2027. At Two Capes Lookout, our 58 acres in Tierra del Mar sit between Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda, a 7–10 minute walk from the beach. That makes the property a quiet, comfortable place to spend king tide season.
What are king tides?
King tides are the highest predicted tides of the year. They happen when the sun, moon and Earth line up and the moon is near its closest point to Earth, which strengthens the pull on the ocean. Scientists call them perigean spring tides.
On the Oregon coast, they arrive in winter. When they line up with a strong Pacific swell or a passing storm, the surf can push farther up the beach than at almost any other time of year. Driftwood moves, channels fill, and familiar stretches of sand look different for a few hours.
When are the 2026–27 king tides in Oregon?
The Oregon King Tides Project lists three observation windows for this season:
November 23–27, 2026 (Thanksgiving week)
December 22–26, 2026 (the week of Christmas)
January 20–24, 2027
Tide predictions point to the days around December 24 as the highest tides of the season along the Oregon coast.
These are coastwide windows, not exact times. High water arrives at slightly different hours up and down the coast, and not every day in a window will be dramatic. For the stretch between Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda, check the nearest NOAA tide station before you head out. Plan to be in place before the peak high tide, and watch for an hour or so on either side of it.
What does a king tide look like here?
It depends on the weather. On a calm day, a king tide is subtle: the water simply reaches higher than you expect, and the beach narrows. On a stormy day, it’s the opposite. Waves stack up, spray rises off the headlands, and you can hear the ocean from deep in the Sitka spruce.
That second kind of day is what many people come for. It’s also why king tide season overlaps so neatly with storm-watching season.
How do you watch king tides safely?
King tides draw people to the water’s edge, and that’s where the risk is. A few rules worth following:
Never turn your back on the ocean. Sneaker waves can surge far up the beach without warning, especially in winter.
Stay off logs and driftwood. A single wave can lift and roll a log weighing several tons.
Keep off jetties, rocks and wet cliff edges. Watch from established viewpoints and stay behind fences and railings.
Know the tide before you walk. Beaches that are wide at low tide can disappear at high tide, cutting off your way back.
Keep dogs leashed near the surf. Most sneaker-wave rescues start with someone going after a pet.
Check park status before you go. Some areas along the Three Capes Scenic Route have had closures this season, so confirm a viewpoint is open before you drive there.
The safest way to watch is from higher ground, with a little distance and a warm place to come back to.
Where should you stay for king tide season?
King tide days are best paired with a warm place to land. At Two Capes Lookout:
Mirror cabins have heated floors, floor-to-ceiling glass and views of both capes. They’re made for watching weather roll in from somewhere warm. Each sleeps two, with a private bathroom and a wet bar.
Ocean-facing domes look out toward both capes, with high ceilings, heat and a patio. Every dome is dog-friendly, so your dog can come along for the season.
Community fire pits are the place to dry off and warm up at the end of the day.
Add-on kits like Aurora Nights and Cinema Under the Dome turn a stormy evening into a reason to stay in.
Guests park at the bottom of the hill, and an electric cart brings you and your bags up to your unit. The domes use shared bathhouses a short walk away. On a windy king tide night that walk is brisk, and part of the experience.
Make it a holiday tradition
This year, two of the three king tide windows fall over the holidays. Thanksgiving week brings the first, and the highest tides of the season arrive around Christmas. If you’ve been looking for a reason to trade the busy weekend for something quieter, this is a good one.
Book your stay at twocapeslookout.com.
