Tourists Rescued from Oregon’s Risky Lost Boy Beach

Last week, tourists aiming for a popular photograph at Oregon’s Lost Boy Beach ended up in need of rescue themselves. A rising tide left them stranded on September 16 at the remote Tillamook County location.

The three individuals, whose names weren’t disclosed, found themselves cut off from the mainland for five hours. Struggling without cell phone service due to the steep cliffs, they contacted 911 using an emergency satellite feature, as reported by The Oregonian.

The Netarts-Oceanside Fire District responded to the call, discovering the tourists marooned on a shrinking section of the beach. A drone captured images of them arranging a large “SOS” with sticks as the tide closed in.

“When people are stranded there, we may not be able to get to them,” said Netarts-Oceanside Fire District Chief Jeff McBrayer.

Access to Lost Boy Beach requires navigating over rocky terrain and through a sea cave that opens at both ends. The beach becomes inaccessible as the tide rises, cutting off the exit route.

The rescue team debated waiting for the tide to fall but chose an immediate rescue due to the dangerous surf, sneaker waves, and the tourists’ soaked and cold condition. Rescuers kept close to the remaining shoreline, secured with ropes, to avoid the treacherous waters. Upon reaching the tourists, they provided life vests and attached the group to safety ropes, guiding them to a secure area where they walked out on their own.

The three tourists experienced only minor injuries. In the aftermath, Chief McBrayer stressed the hidden dangers of isolated coves like Lost Boy Beach. You have to ask a local or check a tide app on a phone for tide information, he advised.

Drone footage revealed the stranded group after they sent an emergency 911 signal due to cut-off cell service.

Lost Boy Beach, located on Oregon’s northern coast near a significant basalt cliff, gets its name from a local legend. It’s said a boy drowned after the tide trapped him, although this tale remains unverified. However, the cautionary name has persisted for about a century, emphasizing the cove’s unpredictable dangers.

This secluded stretch is historically challenging to reach, bordered by Short Beach to the north and Tunnel Beach to the south. Unlike Short Beach, which received a safe stairway, Lost Boy Beach lacks secure land access. It is accessible only during rare, extreme low tides, occurring a few times annually.