When the sun and the moon align for an annular eclipse on the morning of October 14, 2023, Oregon Coast towns from Gleneden Beach on the Central Coast to Langlois south of Bandon will be treated to an unforgettable show of shadow and fire.
Many remember the total solar eclipse which swept across Oregon in 2017. This time, the moon will block out most but not all of the sun, creating a spectacular ring of fire around the dark orb (“annular” means ring-shaped).
A 90-mile-wide shadow will drift east and southward to darken towns like Newport, Waldport, Yachats, Coos Bay, and Bandon. The heart of the deepest, completest part of that shadow — the path of totality — will stretch roughly from Florence southward to Reedsport. There, peak darkness will last the longest at about 4 and a half minutes.
To watch the show, plan to observe essential safety precautions. Protective glasses are currently available for sale at the Oregon Coast Visitors Association online store, and available for free at Oregon Welcome Centers from Oct. 1 to 14.
Travelers should be prepared to visit responsibly and be kind to the coast:
- Order your eclipse glasses ahead of time
- Know your options for where to watch and where to stay.
- Plan to arrive early at any beach or viewpoint.
- Parking is limited, so have a Plan B and consider car-free possibilities like biking or walking.
- Prepare to practice beach safety and pack out personal trash.
- Consider a donation to help mitigate the impact of your travel.
More eclipse resources:
- Where to see the eclipse on the Oregon Coast, from Oregon Coast Visitors Association
- Purchase eclipse glasses and commemorative gear, from Oregon Coast Visitors Association
- 2023 annular solar eclipse toolkit, from Travel Oregon
- How to experience the annular solar eclipse in Oregon, from Travel Oregon