Tourists Rescued from Oregon’s Treacherous Lost Boy Beach

Last week, a dramatic rescue unfolded on Oregon’s Lost Boy Beach. Tourists looking to capture a memorable photo found themselves in need of rescue by the local fire department.

Three individuals became stranded for five hours on Wednesday, September 16. Rising tides cut them off from the mainland at Tillamook County’s secluded cove. Without cell service at the base of a steep cliff, they used an emergency satellite feature to contact 911, according to The Oregonian.

The Netarts-Oceanside Fire District received their distress signal. A drone captured images of the group spelling out “SOS” with sticks as the tide continued to rise.

Three unnamed tourists were stranded on Lost Boy Beach after trekking down a cliff for a dramatic photo. They ended up with drone photos of their rescue. (Netarts-Oceanside Fire District)

Perils of Lost Boy Beach

Lost Boy Beach is a small, isolated area. Visitors can only access it by navigating rocky terrain and passing through a sea cave. Low tides make it inviting, but rising water quickly blocks the only exit.

“When people are stranded there, we may not be able to get to them,” explained NOFD Chief Jeff McBrayer.

The Rescue Operation

Rescue crews initially considered waiting for the tide to drop. They opted for immediate action due to rough surf, sneaker waves, and the tourists’ wet and cold condition, McBrayer noted.

Under dangerous conditions, rescuers clung to the shoreline, secured by ropes instead of venturing into the unpredictable waters. Once they reached the tourists, they provided life vests, affixed safety ropes, and guided them to safety.

Learning from the Incident

The tourists emerged with minor injuries. Chief McBrayer used the incident to advise visitors about the area’s hazards.

“You have to ask a local or check a tide app on a phone for tide information,” McBrayer advised.

Lost Boy Beach, nestled on northern Oregon’s coast just south of a towering basalt cliff, takes its name from a local legend of a boy believed to have drowned there. While the story remains unverified, the name serves as a somber reminder of the cove’s perilous conditions.

Accessing the beach is notoriously difficult, situated between Short Beach and Tunnel Beach. Unlike Short Beach, known for its community-built stairway, Lost Boy Beach has no safe overland entrance.

Reaching it is only feasible during rare, extreme low tides, occurring a couple of times a year.