Eloping on the Oregon Coast is magical. Full stop. Every mile of the coast is full of amazing vistas and natural history. I love it.

Cape Kiwanda is one of the more unique features you’ll find. An enormous sandstone formation that dominates the area. A hike up the huge dune will give amazing views up and down the beach. To the North, you’ll see a popular beach that people like to drive on and have gatherings. To the South, you’ll see Pacific City. You might get lucky enough to see the paragliders launching from the dune.

Now, this is really important… please please please do NOT go beyond the fencing. It has not been there long, and some people think it’s a suggestion because it was there the last time they visited. But sandstone is an extremely unstable type of rock and the cliffs can AND WILL crumble without warning. This type of natural event has claimed lives of beachgoers up and down the west coast.

Now that the less fun stuff is out of the way, we can talk about the many reasons to choose Cape Kiwanda for your Oregon Coast Adventure Elopement.

Planning for a day with good tides would be very worth it, trust me. There are a lot of nooks and crannies to explore at the cape, and many of them are only accessible at low tide. And even more of them are accessible but not safe.

The tide pools at the base of the dune are really fun to check out, and they offer a great staging area for portraits. Or, on the right day, with the right group, this spot might make a great ceremony spot for a family elopement as well.

Once you go up and over the dune, you can access the channel below that big ass rock. It’s not for the faint of heart, and maneuvering down there is tricky as well. Big rocks and boulders, and they may be wet or slick with algae. If you chose to go down there, make sure you won’t get got by the tide. NO SHOT IS WORTH IT, I promise. Play it safe. You can always come back.

If you’ve got a good day, and you make it down there, the cliffs and light are super fun to play around with.

Cape Kiwanda is a perfect playground for an adventure elopement. Truly no shortage of opportunity.

Oregon Coast Elopement Photographer

Eloping on the Oregon Coast definitely comes with its challenges– whether it be the weather, tides, or choosing where exactly to go… luckily, there are people who can help 😉

After moving to Oregon 6 years ago, the Oregon Coast was the first place I really explored. And I’d love to help you plan the perfect elopement on the Oregon Coast, or anywhere in Oregon, or the greater Pacific Northwest, really. (See me at Mount Baker Wilderness below 🙂 )

My background as an ecologist and outdoor guide gives me a unique angle to curating elopement experiences. I have always loved connecting people with the outdoors and I am honored to get to do this for couples on their Best Day Ever.

Please peruse the blog here for elopement inspiration and tips. And get in touch here when you’re ready to start planning the perfect adventure elopement.