Nellies Cove

Nellies Cove sits at the west end of Port Orford's working harbor in Curry County, sheltered under Port Orford Heads. The cove faces south, which shields it from the north and west swell that dominates most of the Oregon coast. Boulders scatter across the bottom in 5 to 35 feet of water, and a sloping wall stands off in front of the cove with small caves cut into its base. Anchored kayak dives typically drop to about 32 to 35 feet.

Port Orford is the oldest townsite on the Oregon coast, and its working harbor is one of only two places in the world where boats are lifted onto and off the dock by a dolly system rather than tied to slips. The commercial fleet anchors offshore. Nellies Cove is the check-out and beginner dive for the Port Orford diving community and the first place local divers bring visitors trying the site.

The cove sits within a rocky reef biome of boulder piles, walls, and small caves. Bull kelp scatters along the outer edges under Orford Heads, forming a kelp forest biome that South Coast Tours' snorkel run visits by boat. Divers work these boulders for rockfish; harbor seals are common at the site, and gray whales feed offshore in summer. Scuba, snorkeling, and spearfishing all take place at the cove under standard Oregon rules.

Access is by kayak or small boat from Port Orford's Dolly Dock inside the harbor. Shore entry over the rocks at the cove itself is hazardous, and the standing approach is a launch from the dolly and a short paddle around to the south face of the heads. Restrooms, parking, and a shower sit at the west end of the harbor beach. No marine reserve covers Nellies Cove, and standard Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife marine fish limits are enforced, including a daily bag of 4 marine fish and 3 lingcod as of 2026.