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Map of Port Orford - Nellies Cove / Redfish Rocks
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IntermediateBoat entry

Port Orford - Nellies Cove / Redfish Rocks

Oregon, United States
Open Water suggested6–26 m (20–85 ft) depthBoat entry7mm or semi-dry + hood typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Port Orford - Nellies Cove / Redfish Rocks at a glance

Port Orford - Nellies Cove / Redfish Rocks is an intermediate boat dive site in Oregon, United States with depths of 6–26 m (20–85 ft). Typically most favorable Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Sea star, Bull kelp, and Giant Pacific octopus. Recent reports put the water around 11°C (51°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

No window today· next: tomorrow 8:00–13:00 · favorable & moderate

Forecast for this hour · 20:00 · run 10 h ago
1.5 m (4.9 ft)waves — about a meter and a half expected (waves — about five feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 11°C · seasonal avg 12°C ( · Forecast 51°F · seasonal avg 53°F)

Site hazards: Pacific surge and swell; surge channels and exposed walls; cold water; boat/kayak access required; crane-launch logistics.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

SatNo window

1.7 m waves · 17 kn wind (5.5 ft waves · 17 kn wind)

Sun8:00–10:00 moderate, 10:00–11:00 favorable, 11:00–13:00 moderate

1.9 m waves · 20 kn wind (6.2 ft waves · 20 kn wind)

Mon9:00–19:00 moderate

2.2 m waves · 9 kn wind (7.2 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Tue8:00–19:00 favorable

1.6 m waves · 4 kn wind (5.2 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Wed8:00–19:00 favorable

1.6 m waves · 3 kn wind (5.4 ft waves · 3 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 moderate

2.0 m waves · 3 kn wind (6.6 ft waves · 3 kn wind)

Fri8:00–19:00 moderate

2.2 m waves · 4 kn wind (7.1 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 7:13 · Sunrise 7:42 · Sunset 18:21 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 4.9 km from site · updated 24 Oct, 10:19 GMT-7

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Port Orford - Nellies Cove / Redfish Rocks

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Loading tide predictions

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Sea star, Bull kelp, Rockfish
Best time: Summer and early fall for calmest seas and best visibility.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. January, 4% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 11°C (52°F), waves have typically been 3.6 m (11.7 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  2. February, 1% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 11°C (51°F), waves have typically been 3.5 m (11.6 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  3. March, 1% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 10°C (50°F), waves have typically been 3.3 m (10.7 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  4. April, 8% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 10°C (50°F), waves have typically been 2.5 m (8.3 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  5. May, 10% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 10°C (50°F), waves have typically been 2.1 m (7.0 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  6. June, 18% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 9°C (49°F), waves have typically been 2.2 m (7.1 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  7. July, 30% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 10°C (49°F), waves have typically been 1.9 m (6.2 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  8. August, 39% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 12°C (53°F), waves have typically been 1.7 m (5.6 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots, historically most favorable
  9. September, 19% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 12°C (53°F), waves have typically been 2.2 m (7.3 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  10. October, 12% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 12°C (53°F), waves have typically been 2.7 m (9.0 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  11. November, 7% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 12°C (54°F), waves have typically been 3.3 m (10.7 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  12. December, 3% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 12°C (54°F), waves have typically been 3.4 m (11.2 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots

August has typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

Port Orford is a premier south-coast saltwater dive destination, with boats lowered into the harbor by crane (Oregon's only dolly-launch port). Nellies Cove is a sheltered, beginner-friendly kayak/boat dive just outside the harbor with a sloping wall, while nearby Tichenor Rock offers deeper, fishier water with small red gorgonians around 85 feet. The adjacent Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve is among Oregon's most diverse dive areas, with five islets, sheer walls, surge channels, boulder fields and kelp forest over high-relief habitat. Boat or kayak access is recommended since shore entry over the rocks is hazardous.

boatpinnaclereefwall

Pacific surge and swell; surge channels and exposed walls; cold water; boat/kayak access required; crane-launch logistics.

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