Thor's Well (A Drain Pipe Of Sea), Yachats, Oregon, United States

Thor’s Well is at the Oregon coast near Cape Perpetua, a gaping, seemingly bottomless sinkhole swallows the unbroken stream of seawater around it. Thor’s Well, as the natural wonder is known, is not actually bottomless; it is, however, very dangerous. A huge gaping sinkhole that never fills up even as it lies in the middle of the sea. Some call it a ‘sinkhole’, some have named it ‘the gate to hell’, while it is the ‘drainpipe of the Pacific’.

Thor’s Well is an old sea cave that has collapsed, creating almost a “drainage pipe” to the ocean. It’s a seemingly bottomless hole that thrashes and sprays water as the waves crash in and out. It’s quite a spectacular sight when the wave hits Thor’s Well! The water jets out and then gets swallowed back down the hole again.

It’s best to view Thor’s Well at high tide or when there’s a storm coming through for a real show. For a safer visit, high tide on a calm day would be best. Always make sure to assess the weather and the waves along the coast for a moment before heading straight to the rocks.

For those seeking adventure and exploring places shrouded by mysteries, there’s the unsolved mystery of Thor’s Well in Oregon; a phenomenon that people have no explanation for. It’s a popular saying in Oregon, “Don’t go too close to Thor’s Well or it will eat you up!”

According to some researchers, the Well probably started out as a sea cave dug out by the waves, before the roof eventually collapsed and created openings at the bottom and top through which the ocean sprays. The huge hole is likely only around 20 feet (six meters) deep, but it still manages to produce amazing sights. 

The site is most spectacular at high tide, or during storms when water washes violently over the rocks and funnels into the hole. During these sudden torrents, unsuspecting visitors to the site run the risk of being swept right into the maelstrom. Regardless of the risks, photographers and nature lovers continue to flock to the stunning fountain to see the aggressive waters that live up to their godly namesake’s stormy personality. The best time to visit Thor’s Well is one hour before the high tide to see it without water and then observe how the formation fills up.