The Pacific Northwest is certainly no stranger to mythical creatures and odd sightings. From our reports of UFOs to our frequent Sasquatch sightings, Washington is a perfect place for those who expect the unexpected. But even most lifelong Washingtonians don’t know about Cadborosaurus, a “sea dinosaur” creature that has been spotted along our coast.
The Cadborosaurus is a sea serpent in the folklore of regions of the Pacific Coast. Its name comes from Cadboro Bay in British Columbia and the Greek root word “saurus” that means reptile.
Dominique Pellettier / Flickr The Cadborosaurus has been spotted many times off the coast of Washington.
The Cadborosaurus is described as having a long neck and a head like a horse, with a body that could easily be over 20 feet long.
Boorman / Wikipedia It apparently has vertical coils or humps in tandem behind its horse-like head and long neck. Some have claimed that these sightings are merely that of Conger eels, sea lions, or other elongated creatures. But no known creature matches the characteristics found in over 200 sightings collected over a century.
The list of sightings along the Washington coast is quite lengthy.
verifax / Flickr In the 1930s, it was spotted at Neah Bay at the tip of the Olympic Peninsula.
In 1934, near Waldron Island in the San Juan Islands, a sea critter swallowed a duck that had been shot by hunters. Several locals spotted the animal in the area a few days later.
Patrick McNally / Flickr Over the next couple of decades, there were several more possible sightings in the San Juan Islands area.
The Strait of Juan de Fuca was also a hot spot for Cadborosaurus sightings.
Keith Ewing / Flickr In 1953, two women from Klamath Falls saw one while on a vacation to Port Townsend. One of the women was a trained biologist, so her detailed description was pretty credible.
The last known sighting of this mysterious creature was in 1991… but that doesn’t mean there won’t be others.
andrea / Flickr Is this a case of mistaken identity, or does the Cadborosaurus actually exist?
The Cadborosaurus is one of several mysterious creatures that may or may not have a home in Washington. After all, you can pay a group of guides to take you Bigfoot hunting here.
Dominique Pellettier / Flickr
The Cadborosaurus has been spotted many times off the coast of Washington.
Boorman / Wikipedia
It apparently has vertical coils or humps in tandem behind its horse-like head and long neck. Some have claimed that these sightings are merely that of Conger eels, sea lions, or other elongated creatures. But no known creature matches the characteristics found in over 200 sightings collected over a century.
verifax / Flickr
In the 1930s, it was spotted at Neah Bay at the tip of the Olympic Peninsula.
Patrick McNally / Flickr
Over the next couple of decades, there were several more possible sightings in the San Juan Islands area.
Keith Ewing / Flickr
In 1953, two women from Klamath Falls saw one while on a vacation to Port Townsend. One of the women was a trained biologist, so her detailed description was pretty credible.
andrea / Flickr
Is this a case of mistaken identity, or does the Cadborosaurus actually exist?
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