A late-summer walk on the Oregon coast took a scary turn Wednesday for three tourists when they became stranded at Lost Boy Beach for five hours before being rescued.
Around 3:45 p.m., the Netarts-Oceanside Fire District was called to the secluded Tillamook County cove, about 30 miles south of Manzanita, to rescue the visitors. The small group had headed onto the beach to capture a “dramatic” photo but were cut off from the mainland by the rising tide, Fire Chief Jeff McBrayer said.
McBrayer said the tourists had no cell service but were able to make contact with 911 using a phone’s or smartwatch’s emergency satellite feature.
Within minutes of the call, the fire district sent a drone down to survey the scene. Photos from the drone showed the visitors sitting on logs, with a large “SOS” spelled out in sticks on the spit of land remaining above water level.
Rescuers considered simply waiting for the tide to retreat and allow the visitors to leave on their own, but the tourists had gotten wet and were cold, raising concerns about the possibility of hypothermia setting in, McBrayer said.
The surf on Wednesday was also rough, and McBrayer said he witnessed multiple large sneaker waves as his crew prepared to descend into the cove.
McBrayer said the tourists’ ordeal should serve as a reminder to people of the dangers of the Oregon coast, and Lost Boy Beach in particular. The small beach is accessible – and inviting – during low tide, but it often disappears underwater during high tide, potentially leaving visitors stranded for hours.
“You have to ask a local or check a tide app on a phone for tide information” before going into the cove, McBrayer said. “Because, when people are stranded there, we may not be able to get to them.”
Due to the dangerous conditions, the fire department crew hugged the remaining shoreline rather than wading directly through the water. One rescuer led the way along the rocky terrain while secured to a rope, while another followed.
The beach, at the bottom of a steep cliff, can only be accessed by scrambling down rough rocks and crossing through a sea cave that is open at both ends. The incoming tide can block off the exit for anyone who is out on the beach at the time.
When the rescuers reached the three tourists, they gave them life vests and clipped them onto the ropes. They then helped the group wade through the surf until they reached an area of the beach where they could safely walk out on their own.
The fire department said the tourists, who haven’t been publicly identified, came away from the experience with a few bumps and bruises but no serious injuries.
©2026 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit oregonlive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
