Every spring and summer, the Tufted Puffins return to the Oregon Coast, and Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint in Bandon is one of the best places to see them. These striking seabirds with bright orange bills and golden head plumes nest on offshore sea stacks, and Face Rock offers clear vantage points where visitors can watch puffins fly low over the water or perch on rocky ledges. For anyone curious about puffins in Oregon or wondering where to see puffins without a boat tour, this stretch of coastline is ideal. The combination of accessible viewpoints, dramatic rock formations, and seasonal nesting activity makes Face Rock a favorite for Oregon Coast birding.
Beyond puffins, there are so many things to do in Bandon before or after time at the overlook. Old Town Bandon is known for its local shops, seafood restaurants, and waterfront boardwalk that feels relaxed and welcoming. Beach walks are a must, especially at low tide when tide pools reveal starfish, anemones, and other coastal life. Many visitors also enjoy nearby birding spots, such as Bandon Marsh Wildlife Refuge, where shorebirds and waterfowl gather year-round. Whether you are visiting for the Tufted Puffin Season or simply enjoying the coast, Bandon offers natural beauty and small-town charm.
For those planning a tufted puffin-focused getaway, Inn at Face Rock stands out as the best Oregon Coast Hotel to call home. We offer a private trail to the beach, making sunrise walks and evening wildlife spotting easy, and our indoor pool is a welcome perk after a day outdoors. Guests appreciate our complimentary breakfast each morning, comfortable rooms, and genuine hospitality that make returning from a day of Oregon Puffins even more enjoyable. Book your stay today!
Face Rock Offers the Best Tufted Puffin Viewing
Watching the Tufted Puffin migration on the Oregon Coast is the kind of bucket list experience that rewards early planning and a little patience. From late April through August, Tufted Puffins return from life at sea to occupy steep rocky islands and cliffs where they nest in colonies called a circus.
In southern Oregon, Face Rock is the best place to witness it. While Haystack Rock near Cannon Beach is the best-known site and the second-largest home to Tufted Puffins in the continental United States, Face Rock is the next most popular and far less crowded, making the experience much more enjoyable. Puffin Season is most active in the early morning, especially between 7 am and 10 am, when adults fish to feed their young, so arriving early on a clear morning at low tide makes a real difference.
During breeding season, puffins reuse the same burrows year after year, staking territory, mating for life, and raising a single puffling each summer. Both parents take turns incubating their chicken-sized egg for about 43 days, with pufflings visible from late June through mid to late August, before they leave the nest 38 to 59 days later. Visitors may also notice that by mid- to late summer, adult puffins shed the top layer of their colorful beaks, a natural molt that signals the end of nesting before they return to the open ocean for winter.
Shoreline Education for Awareness hosts a Welcome Back Tufted Puffins Party in late April or early May, and their wildlife interpreters are stationed at Face Rock Wayside most weekends from early May through late July. For travelers wondering when to see puffins in Oregon, planning a spring or early summer trip to Face Rock offers rare access to one of the most fascinating seabirds on the coast.
For those who want a closer look at Tufted Puffins and other coastal wildlife, South Coast Tours offers a boat-based excursion aboard the Black Pearl, which offers a different perspective. Their wildlife tours explore offshore waters where the puffin spends much of its life, giving guests the chance to see puffins on the Oregon Coast alongside seabirds, sea lions, and, often, whales. If you want something more immersive than just shoreline viewing, pairing Face Rock with a guided boat tour can make your visit unforgettable.
Warm Up at Our Oregon Coast Hotel
After a morning spent scanning the rocks for the Tufted Puffin, return to our spacious, quiet guest rooms, where you can warm up, review photos, or simply relax after time outdoors. Our pet-friendly Oregon Coast Hotel is designed for guests who want both comfort and convenience. Our private trail to the beach means you can head out early for prime viewing hours without worrying about parking or crowds, and it is just as enjoyable for an evening walk when the light softens along the shoreline.
Our Oregon Coast Hotel offers genuine attentive hospitality and is also known for offering some of the best amenities in Bandon. You’ll appreciate starting the day with a complimentary breakfast that makes early mornings simple, and our indoor pool and hot tub are a welcome break after hours of exploring Face Rock or nearby coastal trails. Reserve your room now!
