Nellies Cove is a shore accessible salt water dive site, located in Port Orford, OR.
Nellie’s Cove is a very quiet area, away from the Northern and Western exposure of the Pacific. This is a good spot for beginner diving, as well as an easy location to check-out equipment before heading to more advanced sites.
Directions: The Southern-exposure bay of Nellie’s Cove is located at Port Orford. From Highway 101, head South on Oregon Street or Washington Street toward the Cove. Make a right on Port Orford Dock Road, and continue to the large public dock area.
Our vis on this dive was as high as 3 feet and as low as 6 inches this past weekend. In the cove you could get the shadows of fish and it might be decent conditions for a hunter as they’d never see you coming. This is Oregon diving and you never know what you’ll get from one day to the next. There is a bloom going on right now. Off shore a couple of miles at the reef divers had the same vis until they dropped below 40 feet and then the vis was great. Shore divers got to burn gas is all.
This is a kayak/boat dive from the harbor because entry/egress to the cove over the rocks is hazardous. Snorkelers are less encumbered and can make it over the rocks. It’s an uncomplicated kayak or inflatable launch from the beach, since the surf is little more than a ripple. Powerboats are lowered to the harbor by 15 & 25-ton cranes for a small fee. Viz in Nellie’s Cove and adjacent Tichenor’s cove was poor (5 to 8 ft) on 4 dives, 2 occasions. Noted a good population of rockfish, moon snails, crab. I anchored my dive kayak in 32-35 ft depth. Other divers advise that conditions are occasionally very good, but my timing was poor on a subsequent summer visit also. Prevailing wind increased in the afternoon. Return to the harbor around the breakwater with the kayak was uncomplicated by surf. Vehicles (4WD with off-road tires recommended) were permitted on the beach to facilitate transport of boat and gear, but the resolute diver can carry the gear from the parking area. Showers & restrooms available. Food concession nearby. Time constraints did not permit night dives. Affordable lodging available at Castaways and Sea Crest Motel. Diving fell short of expectations, but the kayaking was fun and the scenery was a "Kodak moment" that justified the trip for me.
http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/USA_West/Oregon/Nellies_Cove/index.htm