Lone Ranch - Overview

Lone Ranch is a state beach located just North of Brookings on Highway 101. There is a large parking lot located about 50 yards from the water, with restrooms and picnic tables just above the beach.

I've been diving here several times, and it seems to be a popular place among divers. Personally, I'm not sure why, as it's always been all work and no play for me. Most divers head to the north side of the cove, along the rocks. It's shallow and surgy - maybe up to 40 feet deep. Vis hasn't been great the times I've been there - maybe up to 12 feet, which is still considered diveable here in Oregon. People spearfish and explore here.

To read an article from Rodale's Scuba Diving about diving this area, click here.

Water Temperature

It's the ocean. Water temperature will be 46-54 degrees year 'round. You'll need a full wetsuit or drysuit.

Skill Level and Special Skills

As with most Oregon beach dives, it's a lot of work to get to the water. Then you'll have a decent surface swim, a short safari underwater, then a swim and hike back to the car with all your gear on.

Eat your Wheaties.

Hazards

Surf, low visibility, cold. Very high-endurance diving. Shore diving on the Oregon coast is not easy diving, even under good conditions. If it's not real calm, don't go in. Stay away from cliffs and rocks - some divers head here when the water gets rough for safety and end up getting slammed. The water is cold - 48-52 degrees year 'round, and visibility on shore dives is usually not very good. That said, there is still some great, unspoiled diving on the Oregon coast.

Visibility

5-15 feet. In summer, plankton blooms can reduce visibility to nothing, even under good calm conditions.

HOME

Oregon Dive Sites | Choosing a Class | Oregon Dive Shops

Oregon Dive Links | Newsgroups | Feedback