A. North reef. Once a boat has cleared the entrance, waters to the north are hazardous until the red bell buoy is reached. The seas break from the northwest and southwest at the same time, so this area must be avoided at all times.
 
B. South reef. Better known as Flat Rock, this area lies just south of the channel. Breakers are almost always present. Boaters coming from the south should never use this area as a shortcut to the channel. Avoid this area at all times.
 
C. Channel from the red bell buoy in. The passage into and out of Depoe Bay is unusually short and difficult. The Coast Guard recommends studying it before attempting to operate a boat in it. Because the north and south reefs are so close to the channel, this area sometimes becomes very hazardous. During adverse conditions, breakers from the north reef will cross the channel and run into the entrance. When this condition exists, it is better to stand by at the entrance buoy until the Coast Guard advises it is safe to enter or is there to escort boats in. An important rule at Depoe Bay: Never fish between the entrance and the red bell buoy.

The entrance should not be attempted at night or in rough weather without consulting local fishers. Boats over 50 feet should not enter the bay without checking with the harbormaster and the Coast Guard.
 
All vessels are required to sound one prolonged (four to six seconds) blast when departing or entering Depoe Bay. Local protocol gives the right-of-way to any inbound vessel.
 
On a building north of the entrance channel, a Rough Bar Warning Light is positioned 25 feet above the water displaying two flashing yellow lights. When lights are flashing, check with Depoe Bay Coast Guard on VHF channel 16 for crossing restrictions. When visibility is less than one nautical mile, the Coast Guard activates its fog signal. The horn then sounds for 2 seconds, once every 30 seconds.

Recorded weather and bar condition reports: (541) 765-2122.