an additional danger
To the "dangers" list above, aquatic enthusiasts can add "water quality" to the list. This spot is regularly affected by the one-two punch of fecal coliform bacteria from municipal sewage and septic runoff at Nye Beach just to the south AND by Georgia-Pacific's outfall pipe just offshore which dumps on the order of 10 million gallons of toxic pulp mill effluent every day just offshore. The fecal coliform beach closures are not well-posted at Agate Beach, so you often don't knw you've been surfing in poo till after the fact. The water is much cleaner at Otter Rock. For more info see:
dead surfers
I dont know his name but 3 weeks ago a surfer drown here on a bigger day this is not some place you want to go flop around. The rip is like the amazon river and the backwash dishes out 15 sec hold downs if you don't know don't go.
comment by Anonymous, 2006-10-19 16:17:53
This is one of the most fickle, stubborn beaches in Oregon. When it's good, it's real good. When it sucks, it really sucks. The echo wave off the rocks can mess everything up. Water is always dark and cloudy here. The outer peaks can handle a good sized swell. There's a rip channel along the rocks on good days. On rare occasions, you can get 100 yard long rights. The better surfers here are friendly wave hogs, so be aggressive in your actions but not your vibe.
Read - (3) Comments concerning South side of Agate Beach.
comment by poopy mcdougal, 2008-05-30 18:41:34