๐Ÿ“ธ Local Expert’s Guide to Thor’s Well, Oregon (2024)

Thors Well blog cover image. Text overlaying an image of ocean water draining into Thors Well on the Oregon Coast at sunset.

Thor’s Well, located on the Central Oregon Coast, is the most dramatic, awe-inspiring seascape to photograph on the entire West Coast.

With that drama comes plenty of risk, and plenty of reward. Carefully planning for your visit to photograph Thor’s Well is essential to having a safe and successful outcome. Most guides fall short in preparing first time visitors for the precise timing and conditions required for capturing that epic photo.

I am a native Oregonian and professional landscape photographer who has made 8 visits to Cape Perpetua in order to photograph Thor’s Well. I have studied it carefully, through different tides, times, and seasons, carefully noting when conditions were best for shooting.

In this ultimate guide to Thor’s Well, I will cover everything you need to know for planning your first visit and, hopefully, help you come away with some truly magical photos.

๐ŸŒŠ About Thor’s Well

Thor's Well is a collapsed sea cave in the Cape Perpetua National Scenic Area.
Thor’s Well is a collapsed sea cave in the Cape Perpetua National Scenic Area.

Thor’s Well is a collapsed sea cave on the edge of a rock shelf. It is located in the Cooks Chasm region of Cape Perpetua.

The roof of this underwater sea cave sits right about water level. As a result, the missing chunk of ceiling creates the illusion of a hole in the Pacific Ocean!

This geological phenomenon creates a powerful photography composition, as well as a unique visual experience. During different tides, water both erupts from the hole due to pressure under the surface, and also crashes in over the top from incoming waves.

The result of this activity is a rapid, dramatic drain that flows back into Thor’s Well almost as if the ocean itself has sprung a leak.

While it looks large when you’re staring into it, the hole is smaller than most people expect. Photographing it from up-close with a wide-angle lens gives it a much larger appearance.

๐Ÿงญ How to Find Thor’s Well in Oregon

Thor's Well is much easier to find at high tide, when hole floods and erupts consistently.
Thor’s Well is much easier to find at high tide, when hole floods and erupts consistently.

You will find access to Thor’s Well from the Cooks Chasm parking lot in the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area of the Central Oregon Coast. Once parked, follow the wall to the right. You will see a trail with a wooden sign for Thor’s Well. Follow the short trail, staying to the left at any fork.

You will descend three separate staircases before reaching the rocky shoreline. On your way down, keep your eyes peeled for the hole that the water splashes out of and drains into.

You will have to scramble over some rough terrain to get to Thor’s Well. It is not slippery, but it is extremely sharp. Flip flops are not recommended!

Thor’s Well is visible from the Cooks Chasm parking lot, but is easily missed and unimpressive from this vantage point. In fact, most people don’t even know they’re looking at it! However, staying above the shoreline is the safest place to watch the scene unfold if you are not there for photography purposes.

The nearest town is Yachats, which is a semi-sleepy coastal town located just 5 minutes away.

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๐ŸŒ… Best Time to Visit Thor’s Well

High tide at sunset is the best time to visit Thor's Well Oregon.
High tide at sunset is the best time to visit Thor’s Well.

The best time to visit Thor’s Well is at sunset during a 5-to-7 foot tide.

Most guides will simply say to visit at “high tide,” but that is too vague to be useful. While high tide tends to be the best time, the height of the swell is extremely relevant.

In addition to tide height, the wave height is of significant importance.

Since returning to Thor’s Well a number of times, I have observed a 7-foot tide with almost 0 wave height and noted almost no action at all in the well, and I have also seen a 6-foot tide with a 2-foot weight height that was non-stop action.

You can view the wave height on this Yachats Surf Report.

Anyone planning a visit to Thor’s Well with photography in mind should read the longer explanation of conditions in the sections below. Understanding the best tides and times of day will impact your success and experience.


๐ŸŒ„ best time of day to photograph Thor’s Well

Incredible photography of sunset at Thors Well Oregon in Cape Perpetua.
A moody and dramatic sunset at Thor’s Well.

Photographers and visitors with flexibility of schedule will want to sync their visit to Thor’s Well to correlate with the dates where high tide and sunset coincide.

Your view of Thor’s Well will be mostly west. The setting sun provides excellent angular light onto Cape Perpetua, while limiting the glare reflecting off the water.

You also get the best chance at some sky burn and cloud color by photographing at sunset. However, it is MORE important to choose the right tide for your visit, and that is not as simple as most guides imply!


๐ŸŒŠ BEST tide for photographing Thor’s Well

Daytime photography of Thors Well

Understanding how various tide height will impact your visit to Thor’s Well is the most important factor for your photos.

Every guide I read simply said to visit during “high tide”. However, that is frustrating because high tide one day might be 5ft and it could be 9ft another day! That is a massive difference!

If you are visiting Thor’s Well to simply witness the incredible natural phenomenon that occurs there, then the higher the tide and swells, the more intense the experience.

However, landscape photographers will want to carefully track the tide and wave charts by HEIGHT. Ignore words like “high” or “low”, and focus only on the height of the tide and waves. I found Willy Weather to be the most helpful resource for tide as it gives the height by the hour, and the Yachats Surf Forecast to be the best resource for observing the wind and wave height.

Through research and personal experience, I have found the ideal tidal conditions for photography to be a tide height between 5-7ft with a wave height of at least 1 foot.

If the tide height is much lower, the water doesn’t clear the sea shelf which is what you need to capture the effect of the water dragging into the well. Too much higher and you are getting thrashed by waves, making it impossible to steady the tripod and protect your equipment!

If you have a waterproof set-up, then you could probably pull off shots up to a 7ft tide, but I would still recommend never shooting beyond that for your personal safety!

๐ŸŽž Photography at Thor’s Well Oregon

The scene at Thor's Well is absolutely dreamlike if conditions align!
The scene at Thor’s Well is absolutely dreamlike if conditions align!

Many of you are out-of-state photographers visiting Oregon and will only have once chance to capture Thor’s Well.

Even if you live in the state, the remoteness of Thor’s Well may mean a very long trip, and planning becomes essential!

This section of the Thor’s Well guide is written specifically with photographers in mind.


๐Ÿ–ผ Composition Tips for Thor’s Well Photography

We have already discussed the right time and light, so let’s talk about how to compose your shots when photographing Thor’s Well.

For all compositions, you’re likely going to want to capture the water draining into the well. You’ll find that this is best when a large wave splashes over the scene, receding into the well.

You will also often see the water splash up from the hole itself, then wash back in. However, this doesn’t create that magical moment as effectively.

When the water comes from below, it is both splashing up and dropping down at the same time. Therefore, there is never a moment in-between to capture that surreal ocean-drain effect.

This is why I suggest shooting a tide between 5-6 feet. At 4 feet, you will have to be patient and ready, but you will still get enough of the large waves to get the shot.


Proximity to Thor’s Well

Standing close to Thors Well, Oregon gives scale to the scene.
Standing close to Thor’s Well gives scale to the scene.

The closer you are to Thor’s Well, the larger the hole in the ocean appears. This makes the photo far more dramatic.

Of course, this also requires a wide angle lens and standing in the splash zone! You will have to decide how close is close enough, just don’t be the person that stands so close that they fall or are pushed in! That is (obviously) too close!

Photographing from the safety of shore or from further back will make the hole appear small and meager. When you are up close to this thing, the camera captures just how intimidating it truly is!


๐Ÿ‘† Which Direction to Face when Photographing Thor’s Well

Let’s imagine Thor’s Well as a clock. If you approach it from the final staircase, you arrive to the circular hole standing at 6 o’clock.

If you walked to the far side and turned around, you would be standing at 12 o’clock. You would also be taking your life in your hands by doing this, as your back would be to the ocean and the first big wave would knock you directly into the hole.

Do NOT stand at 12 o’clock.

There are no good photos from here anyway!

Facing West
A magical sunset from Thor's Well facing West.
A magical sunset from Thor’s Well facing West.

There are three good compositions in my opinion. The first is standing at 6 o’clock and is the most obvious, as well as the safest composition. As you approach Thor’s Well, you will find some elevated rocks a few feet away that provide some valuable height, helping avoid some of the splashes and rising water. This composition faces due west, so can be good if the color in the sky is best where the sun is setting.

Facing Northwest
Photographing Thor's Well facing Northwest adds Cape Perpetua to the background.
Photographing Thor’s Well facing Northwest adds a mountainous background.

For the second composition, find a good spot around 8 o’clock. You should be facing the mountains of Cape Perpetua in the direction of Northwest.

The bad thing about being here is that you are directly in the splash zone. Be prepared as you will get SOAKED! The good thing about this composition is that it includes a background element where the others do not.

Facing Southwest
Photographing Thors Well facing Southwest provides the best "drain" effect.
Photographing Thor’s Well facing Southwest provides the best “drain” effect.

The third composition is around 4 o’clock. This angle best captures the feeling of Thor’s Well as being a hole in the ocean. The water drains in from all sides, like the bathtub plug has been pulled on the Pacific Ocean!

This is also the most dangerous of the three compositions, so be very careful. It is the only place where a large sneaker wave could push you towards the hole from the back. This is highly unlikely, but something to be aware of.

What will happen often is a large wave will hit the rocks behind you and send a bucket of saltwater your way. You’ll have no idea it is coming and if your equipment is not protected, it could begin the slow, corrosive death of your circuitry.

READ MORE: Southern Oregon Coast Photography Locations


๐Ÿ‘“ What lens is best for photographing Thor’s Well?

The Sony A7rIII camera is what was used for every photo in this travel guide.

Thor’s Well is best captured with a 20-24mm lens on a full-frame camera, or a 15-18mm lens on a crop-sensor (APS-C) camera.

You don’t need to worry too much about choosing between a prime vs zoom lens. You will likely be shooting at higher F-stops to slow your shutter down and capture the water drag, so there is no advantage to having faster glass.

For reference, I shot all of the images in this guide with my Sony a7riii and Sony 24-105mm f4.

You can find a complete list of all the camera gear we use in our Travel Photography Camera Gear Guide if interested.


๐ŸŽ› What are the best camera settings for photographing Thor’s Well?

Dramatic Sunset photography at Thor's Well during a very high tide.
Carefully consider the best shutter speed for the feeling you want.

Shutter Speed is the most important camera setting for photographing Thor’s Well. Start at shutter speed 1/4 and adjust this faster or slower to taste. Aperture and ISO should be second thoughts.

The “ideal” setting varies a bit based on personal preference and wave activity, but 1/4 is a good place to start.

To achieve a “straight out of camera” (SOOC) shot at this shutter speed, you will likely need a polarizer or ND filter. However, I will discuss an amazing option called “LONG EXPOSURE STACKING” for achieving long exposure photos using a series of short exposures in the next section.

I employed that technique for the first time during my visit. It allowed me to combat a shaking tripod and extremely challenging conditions. Additionally, it gave me the flexibility to decide whether I wanted more or less water drag in post-processing, without being committed to any single shutter speed captured in-field.

As for ISO, the lower the better! You should have no trouble shooting at base ISOs. Your aperture should be adjusted to get a good exposure with a shutter speed priority.


๐ŸŽž Long Exposure Stacking

Golden Hour photography from Thor's Well, Oregon
Combining 5 consecutive 1/50 exposures allowed me to create a 1/10 exposure.

There is a technique for stacking multiple, consecutive short exposures to create one long exposure. It is most commonly used for star trail photography, but can be used for any scene with motion.

For example, let’s say you took 8 consecutive photos at a 1-second shutter speed. You could stack those images to create a photo that is the equivalent of an 8-second long exposure. Or, you could use just 4 of them for a 4-second equivalent.

There are a few major advantages of employing this technique.

First, it is easier to get the exposure correct in-field.

Second, it allows you to experiment and decide what you think is the perfect shutter speed, without worrying about messing it up during the shoot.

Third, this technique helps deal with challenging situations, such as those found at Thor’s Well. Whipping winds, punishing waves, and heavy spray make it difficult to drag the shutter without blur or water spots ruining the shot.


๐Ÿ“ฝ Photography Equipment for Thor’s Well

Colorful sunset at Thor's Well in Cape Perpetua, Oregon.

Disclosure: At no cost to you, we receive a small amount for any purchases made using the links below.

In addition to a camera and lens, this is the essential photography equipment I recommend considering for photographing Thor’s Well.

Tripod

The sturdier, the better! You will be battling incoming waves and heavy wind at Thor’s Well, so you need a sturdy tripod!

You could handhold, but this will make it impossible to get slower shutter speeds and also harder to compose the shot in the fleeting moment the photo presents itself.

I have an Artcise Carbon Fiber Tripod which is extremely stable. However I’ve also shot Thor’s Well in the past with my Manfrotto Be Free, which has coped well.

Filters

Photographer Adam Marland equips a polarizing filter CPL to his Sony Camera.

I always use a CPL (circular polarizing filter) for photographing water features. This cuts the glare off the water and also allows me to drag the shutter speed a bit longer.

Many people use an ND filter to get that shutter drag at Thor’s Well. However, I prefer using the Long Exposure Stacking method as mentioned above.

I use the PolarPro Quartzline filters. However, there are many other good options. If you’re just starting your photography, an inexpensive starter bundle is a good option while you’re learning.

Remote Control / Intervalometer

I always see photographers using a remote to start firing hands-free when the water is dragging.

While I usually would do the same, using a remote means either having the side compartment open for a cable to connect the remote to the camera or a wireless receiver plugged into the hot shoe. If saltwater hits your camera while it is open or your hot shoe is active, say goodbye to that camera!

If you are insistent on this approach, I recommend the wireless receiver option so you can still cover your camera body with plastic of some kind. Also, be sure your tripod is VERY sturdy if you are not going to hold onto it!

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๐Ÿคฉ Things to See near Thor’s Well Oregon

Cape Perpetua and the Central Oregon Coast are home to many incredible seascapes.
Cape Perpetua and the Central Oregon Coast are home to many incredible seascapes.

While Thor’s Well is the most famous and impressive natural feature of the Oregon coast, there are a lot of other beautiful places to explore in and around Cape Perpetua.

The entire coastal drive is beautiful and the seascapes here are absolutely savage.


Spouting Horn

Spouting Horn  erupts during high tides in Cooks Chasm.
Spouting Horn erupts during high tides in Cooks Chasm.

From the Cooks Chasm parking area, which is also where you will park to visit Thor’s Well, you will find another interesting natural feature called Spouting Horn.

Spouting Horn only erupts when the tide is high enough, which seems to be 6 feet or higher. Water pressure builds from below, creating a burst of ocean spray from a blowhole above. It is very neat to see, and makes for an interesting photo with the bridge behind it.


Devil’s Churn

Night photo showing a moon creeping over the ridge of Devil's Churn in Cape Perpetua Oregon.
Moonrise over Devil’s Churn

Just down from Thor’s Well is a large crack in the rocky shoreline. This crevice continues to fill as ocean waves pour in, eventually causing incoming and outgoing waves to collide in a spectacular display.

The visual experience is far more exciting than the photographs, and is absolutely worth seeing!


Heceta Head Lighthouse

Heceta Head Lighthouse is a great sunset option if you have multiple days to explore Yachats and the Central Oregon Coast.
Heceta Head Lighthouse is a great sunset option if you have multiple days to explore Yachats and the Central Oregon Coast.

Located just 11 miles south of Thor’s Well off Highway 101 is the idyllically-set Heceta Head lighthouse. You can access the beach just below the lighthouse for a nice day of sand and sea. Or, take the trail up to the lighthouse from here.

If you drive past the beach, you will also find some roadside pull-offs with incredible views of the lighthouse with the bay below.

While I have always been too preoccupied photographing Thor’s Well to get in a sunset shoot here, it is high on my list of things to do next.


Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Yaquina Head Lighthouse is one of Oregon’s most popular destinations for ocean photography. It is located 31 miles north of Thor’s Well on Hwy 101 and is also best photographed at sunset.

๐Ÿ“ธ READ MORE:
EPIC Photography Locations in Southern Oregon

โš ๏ธ Safety at Thor’s Well

Long exposure photography from Thor's Well, Oregon.

Safety at Thor’s Well is paramount! Protect your life, and protect your equipment, as there is significant risk to both.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LOOK DIRECTLY DOWN INTO THOR’S WELL!

One slip forward and there is no rescue. With that said, just standing a few yards further back makes it nearly impossible to fall in; it is really that easy!

Incoming waves get broken before reaching you when they smash into the sea shelf created by the underwater cave. This means that you are extremely likely to get wet, maybe even knocked back by a large wave, but not dragged forward.

With that said, I would not even attempt to photograph Thor’s Well from up-close when the waves are coming in above waist height. It is an absolute certainty you will be punished by large sneaker waves at some point during your shoot. And if a sneaker wave comes through, you’ll be lucky if it’s only your gear that is damaged!

It is a miracle Thor’s Well is still open to the public, but we are only a few more careless choices away from having it shut down. Please don’t be that person! The difference between safe and not safe is literally a matter of yards!

If you do not live on the coast, you need to understand that waves come in sets. The water can seem relatively calm and docile for 5-10 minutes before a big wave set rolls in. I have seen people lose phones and cameras to that sneaker wave every single visit.

Take some time to observe the patterns first, note where the splashes come from, and survey your scene thoroughly.


Personal Safety at Thor’s Well

Water erupts from Thor's Well when the pressure builds below.  There is no risk of being dragged in as the force is minimum, but salt water will kill your electronics!
Water erupts from Thor’s Well when the pressure builds below. There is no risk of being dragged in as the force is minimum, but salt water will kill your electronics!

Regarding your personal safety, the easiest way to ensure this is to simply stand a few yards (minimum) away from the hole. It is really that simple. You are very likely to get wet. However, you’re extremely unlikely to get “swept” away as the waves crash down but do not have the force to drag out.

Of course, you should never attempt to get close to Thor’s Well if the coast is receiving king waves or you are battling an unusually high tide with tall waves. You can find the wave and tide height by checking the Yachats surf report.

If you want to get up close to Thor’s Well, be very mindful of the tides and follow the golden rule of coastal life: NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON THE OCEAN!

There are, of course, tons of places to view Thor’s Well from that have no risk whatsoever.


Protecting Your Camera at Thor’s Well

Protect your camera from salt water when photographing Thor's Well.
Protect your camera from saltwater when photographing Thor’s Well.

We, like many of you, are passionate landscape photographers that accept some risk as long as it is minimized to an infinitesimal degree.

Your personal safety will be in very little jeopardy unless you do something incredibly stupid. However, your camera and photography equipment will be under constant assault! I have visited 5 times now and seen a camera go down EVERY SINGLE TIME.

Many photographers depend on their camera’s weather sealing to be enough. Do not confuse fresh water with salt water!

The most common occurrence of phone and camera loss is a sneaker wave arriving during a period of relative calm. I made that mistake twice. One camera lasted only a week before failing, and the other lasted 6 months. In the end, it was salt corrosion that destroyed both.

The other thing I have seen multiple times is people trying to get some shutter drag on the drain (which looks great), only to have their tripod blown over by a strong guest of wind or dragged down by the draining water.

I will go over a method to capture long exposures by using a series of short exposures in the photography section of this guide. Employing this technique will allow you the shutter speed you want with less risk to your camera.


How to Protect Your Camera

Disclosure: At no cost to you, we receive a small amount for any purchases made using the links below.

A waterproof case would be ideal, but most of us will have to settle for homemade plastic contraptions due to cost and availability.

Another affordable option is a camera rain cover, something I will likely get for my next visit! However, I didn’t have this on my last trip, so I had to make do…

Personally, I sealed the camera body with a combination of plastic bags, rubber bands, and a rain poncho. It may not have been the prettiest set-up, but it kept my gear dry and usable!

I first sealed the body with a plastic bag, leaving the lens exposed and removing a hole for the EVF. I then tied a rain poncho onto the tripod with the hood covering the lens.

This allowed me to compose the shot between waves, dial everything in, and simply pull the hood off the lens when it was time to take the shot.

YouTube video

Get creative and plan ahead, as the hardest thing about shooting Thor’s Well is keeping your expensive equipment functioning.

๐Ÿ“ท READ MORE:
Discover What Camera Gear We Use

๐Ÿจ Accommodation & Services near Thor’s Well

Photographing sunset at Thor's Well, Oregon, is an exciting bucket list item for every landscape photographer to cross off.
Photographing sunset at Thor’s Well, Oregon, is an exciting bucket list item for every landscape photographer to cross off.

The Cape Perpetua Visitor Center will provide information on everything you may want to know, including tides, geographic information, history, and more. It is located almost adjacent to Cooks Chasm, which is where you will park for your visit to Thor’s Well.

Public restrooms are available at either the Cape Perpetua visitor center, or at the Yachats State Park facility in town.

Campers will need to make a reservation at the Cape Perpetua Campground as there is no overnight parking allowed in most places.

The town of Yachats offers a variety of accommodation. You’ll find a variety of accommodation options from beachside cottages to 4-bedroom BnBs and everything in between. There is also a grocery store, gas stations, and all other services available here.

๐ŸŒฒ More Oregon & PNW Travel Guides

The two of us work very hard to create these free travel guides to help you plan your dream vacation. If you think we’ve done a good job and would like to say thanks, please consider clicking the donate button below ๐Ÿ™‚

If you found this guide useful in planning your visit, we have a variety of guides for the Pacific Northwest that you may also find helpful, as well as instructional guides for learning photography.

Additionally, you are welcome to browse our Oregon professional photography gallery for prints and more inspiration.

๐Ÿ™‹โ€โ™€๏ธ FAQs About Thor’s Well

๐ŸŒŠ What is Thor’s Well in Oregon?

Thor’s Well is a collapsed sea cave on the Central Oregon coast which has the illusion of being a drain hole in the Pacific Ocean. It has become a popular place for landscape photographers.

๐Ÿ“ Where is Thor’s Well?

Thor’s Well is located in Cape Perpetua National Scenic Area near the city of Yachats on the Central Oregon coast. The trail begins at Cooks Chasm Parking Area.

โš ๏ธ Is Thor’s Well dangerous?

No one has ever died at Thor’s Well, but many people have been hurt and countless cameras and phones have been destroyed by the salt water waves that crash in.

๐ŸŒ… When is the best time to visit Thor’s Well on the Oregon Coast?

The best time to visit Thor’s Well is when the high tide and sunset coincide. The drainage effect for which Thor’s Well is known occurs most dramatically at high tide and is especially beautiful in the golden light of sunset.

Photo showing the best time to visit Thor's Well, Oregon, when the high tide and sunset coincide
๐Ÿ“ธ What are the best things to do in Cape Perpetua, Oregon?

Thor’s Well is the most incredible thing you will see in Cape Perpetua, but there are a variety of forest walks and other coastal features worth visiting as well. Some of the best include:

  • Devil’s Churn
  • Spouting Horn
  • Cape Perpetua Overlook
  • Cape Cove Beach
๐ŸŽž How do you photograph Thor’s Well, Oregon?

Follow these basic but essential steps for capturing epic photos at Thor’s Well:

  1. Time your visit so high tide and sunset coincide.
  2. Use a wide-angle lens. 15-24mm range for full frame (10-18mm APS-C)
  3. Use a sturdy tripod. You cannot get the drain effect without a slow shutter speed.
  4. Shoot in Aperture Priority at F20 & ISO100.
  5. Use a Circular Polarizer (CPL) or ND Filter to allow a slow shutter.
  6. Set your camera to a 2 second self-timer or use a remote to avoid shake.

For best results, consult the photography section of this ultimate guide for other factors and considerations to be aware of.

๐Ÿ“ How deep is Thor’s Well on the Oregon Coast?

Thor’s Well is about 20 feet deep. This is measured from the bottom of the sea cave to the top of the hole, which was caused when the roof of the cave collapsed.

๐ŸŠโ€โ™€๏ธ Can you swim at Thor’s Well?

You cannot swim at Thor’s Well, nor is there is anywhere in Cape Perpetua that is advisable for swimming! The sharp lava rock that forms the sea shelf and tumultuous surf are a dangerous combination.

๐Ÿฅพ How long is the Thor’s Well hike?

The Captain Cook trail to Thor’s Well begins at the Cooks Chasm parking area. You can actually see the well from the parking lot if you know what you are looking for, but reaching Thor’s Well requires a .6-mile descent.

Bring good hiking shoes with traction as the lava rock you must traverse is very sharp.

๐Ÿ’ฌ Final Thoughts on Thor’s Well, Oregon

Cover Graphic for the Ultimate Guide to Thor's Well Oregon

The two of us work very hard to create these free travel guides to help you plan your dream vacation. If you think we’ve done a good job and would like to say thanks, please consider clicking the donate button below ๐Ÿ™‚

Of all the landscapes I have photographed all over the world, none scare and excite me more than Thor’s Well in Oregon. It is an adrenaline-filled adventure every time!

After seeking more information on Thor’s Well for so long, I decided it was time to create a definitive guide that provided more specific insights for planning a visit. I have labored to include as detailed descriptions as I can, but always strive to improve.

If you discover inaccuracies or have any important questions that I have not covered in this guide, please leave that feedback in the comments below.

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Photo of author
Written by
Adam Marland is a professional travel blogger and landscape photographer from Oregon. After over a decade of experience as a freelance travel photographer, Adam found national acclaim when he became the National Park Foundation's โ€œChief Exploration Officerโ€ in 2021.

26 thoughts on “๐Ÿ“ธ Local Expert’s Guide to Thor’s Well, Oregon (2024)”

  1. Extremely important details about the timing and dangers of shooting Thor’s Well. I also have long been distressed by the normal internet posts about which tides (high or low) are required for the best photos and safety. It seems that many visitors to the area have no clue about high and low tides and their daily changes. in my opinion, I would like to see a little more information about checking wave height and duration. If you have big waves from an incoming storm they can overtop the ledge even at mean tide.

    Reply
    • Hi Jerry! I absolutely agree, and I HOPE I was clear enough that anything over 7ft should not be attempted. Im trying to decipher whether your comment implied you wish OTHER guides mentioned this, or felt mine needed to be more clear about the dangers of extremely high tides.

      Thank you for the feedback and let me know if you think we were still too vague in this regard.

      Reply
  2. Excellent discussion on shooting Thor’s Well. This is certainly the best article I’ve seen on photographing there.

    I’ve been there a few times, and one aspect you neglected to mention was Swell. Think of swell as waves that ride on top of the tides. The tide can be 6 ft at Thors Well, but if the swell is 5 meters, that’s going to be a very different set of conditions than if the swell is 1 meter. And it’s going to be a very dangerous condition too.

    People need to find out what the swell is for when they visit and take that information into consideration. Look for times when the ocean is calm, with a swell of 1 or 2 meters (3 to 6 ft). As swell gets higher, you will want to be there with a lower tide. I don’t know when the swells get too high, so it’s going to be something people need to decide for themselves.

    Also, you can’t make long-range predictions on the swell, since it’s kind of weather-related. And not even local weather, but weather from across the ocean can affect it. So check the conditions before heading down to photograph it.

    Check out the photo I took at Thors Well after dark a couple of years ago. I would not suggest people shoot it after dark, but we did get some interesting photos.

    Reply
    • Thats an excellent point Kirk! I thought the swells were included in the tidal height, but it sounds like this is not the case. I will have to research the swells as well and will come back and edit this to share my findings. Thank you for the kind words and extremely important insight!

      Reply
      • No problem! It’s an excellent article! I love how you have the compass direction angles of view shown examples. Somehow I always end up shooting NW for sunset. I love your Cooks Chasm shot with the sunlight behind it. It’s so hard to shoot the Chasm since the distance is greater than for Thor’s. And the Chasm is a great alternative when the water is too dangerous for photographing Thor’s.
        Have you seen the photos posted on the bulletin board in Yachats by the Luna Sea restaurant? There’s a couple of photos there of photographers getting swamped by the waves, and on nice sunny days! They should be required to see for anyone thinking of going out there.

        Reply
        • I havent seen that but I’ve definitely seen some amazing shots of people getting absolutely WRECKED by a big wave. I just don’t understand why you would mess around with thousands of dollars worth of equipment for one shot… Don’t get me wrong, I messed around as well, but not without studying the conditions thoroughly first.

          Thanks again for the kind words and extremely helpful feedback Kirk! Im going to see if I can include information on the swells once I feel confident that I am offering sound advice ๐Ÿ™‚

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  3. Very well done! Stressing the safety aspect of photographing the Pacific Ocean along Oregon’s magnificent coastline is paramount to actually returning home with some great images. Returning Home being the operative phrase.

    There is also a resource available for tide charts at various locations along the coast. https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/

    The closest this site gets is: Waldport in the north: https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions.html?id=9434939
    and the Siuslaw River Entrance in the south: https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions.html?id=9434132

    Again, Excellent article.

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    • Thank you for the kind words and helpful links Syd! We’re glad you found it adequately informative and appreciate you providing more useful info for readers!

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  4. This has been on my bucket list for some time! Thank you so much for writing this excellent and most informative article. You have provided all the necessary pointers for what I hope is a fantastic outing.

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    • Its truly our pleasure Scott!! I hope you are able to take home some trophies and we are so grateful for the kind words regarding our work!

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  5. Thank you such a informative article! Most of your article shared valuable knowledge on locations and shooting guidelines, but this one is special, thank you so much again!

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    • Thank you truly Frank!! This one was very close to my heart and I am glad you and so many others are finding it so useful. I hope it helps keep you safe and I hope you are able to capture some beauties whenever you next visit ๐Ÿ™‚

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  6. This post was MUCH more informative than other written guides and YouTube videos I’ve seen on the subject. My only comment is to re-emphasize what others have said about the importance of swell height, in addition to the tide. I hope to do a trip to Thor’s Well this winter, but the swell might be anywhere from 6 feet to 16 feet during my visit. Obviously, this means conditions might still be favorable for photography at lower tides (<4 feet) or extremely dangerous at tides in your preferred range (5 to 7 feet). I'll add more info here in the comments if I get a chance to observe it first hand. Things are probably much simpler (and safer) during the summer when the typical swell is 3 feet or less.

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    • You are exactly right John!! I have learned that on recent winter visits as well and it is something I need to provide more insight into. The swell is definitely an important factor, perhaps more important than the tide even, but accumulating the research necessary is ongoing — by all means please reach out to me directly if you have some insight for us!! I definitely appreciate any effort to keep visitors safe and also ensure success!

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  7. Hi Adam,

    I want to personally thank you for writing this guide for photographing Thorโ€™s well. Itโ€™s been on my bucket list for some time, and today I did it! Your guide was invaluable and my โ€œbibleโ€ for the trip. I have not started post processing, but even the RAW photos are amazing.

    Thanks again!

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    • This is the most amazing comment I think we’ve ever received, and the email was even kinder!! I am so glad you found it so useful and hope I get to see the results sometime!! Feel free to reach out whenever you are in the Southern Oregon area, it would be a pleasure to shoot together!

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  8. Hi Adam! I truly enjoyed reading your article. All these tips are very helpful for me to plan my trip to this area. One question I have is: can you photograph Thor’s Well from the viewing benches (that look down onto Thor’s Well from above) with a super telephoto lens? say between 400mm to 840mm? I am an elderly person and do not wish to walk down to the rocky beach near the hole. Thanks, Ernie

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    • Hi Ernie! I am glad you found it useful and thats an excellent question. You can technically photograph the well from the platform but you will not get the coveted effect that makes Thor’s Well so special. To be fair, this is one of those places where the photograph is more impressive than the actual site, which is very neat but much smaller than wide angle lenses make it appear. I will email you this reply in case you do not see the comment!

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  9. What a treasure trove your post is!! The detail you shared is so valuable to others who aren’t used to living by the ocean. I live in a land locked state and will only get a small window to photograph this beloved site. Appreciate you making a point to emphasize safety and different issues about to pay attention to concerning the ocean. It really helped to see the different areas of shooting Thor’s well and the pros and cons of each.

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    • It is so nice to get this feedback Elizabeth! Thank you genuinely for taking the time out of your day to recognize the efforts in creating this guide and for leaving some positivity. We hope you get an awesome shoot with plenty of winning photos and, most importantly, dry gear ๐Ÿ™‚

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  10. thank you sooooo much for this awesome and detailed guide. i really hope i will have the right conditions to photograph it on my 1st ever visit to Oregon

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  11. What a wonderful article. Many, many thanks for all of the helpful information. Question – when you stack your images, do you simply use HDR software?

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    • Hi and thank you Jean! I do not use HDR software at all anymore. There is long exposure stacking software that is mentioned in the guide but Photoshop also has a similar function, it just takes much longer and is less user friendly ๐Ÿ™‚

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