Whale watching oregon depoe bay is known world wide as the whale watching capital and dockside charters offers premier whale watching excursions. Whales counted off us pacific coast current results. The video above is from gray whale sightings along the oregon coast last june. Whale watching is a yearround activity on the oregon coast with gray whales by far the most commonly seen. If you want to stay indoors, everything is provided, just make sure to bring some comfortable shoes if you are going. The counts do not include three kinds of cetaceans that live close to shore.
Spring watching begins in late march as the gray whales travel north on their way. Dead sperm whale washes ashore, will not be moved the 36foot whale had been dead for quite some time, according to the seaside aquarium. Go whale watching on the oregon coast remotely with live. These include the mighty gray whale, the aweinspiring killer whale, and the charming and intelligent bottlenose dolphin. Whale watching on the oregon coast visit garibaldi, oregon. For best view of these 35 ton, 45 feet long whales look for calm sea weather forcast, and make sure to view. Plan a relaxing getaway to our beautiful location featuring luxurious suites. Watch the sea ice crack in greenland or enjoy spring along the north american west coast. Find cheap deals and discount rates among them that best fit your budget. Conditions saturday were too rough to get out whale watching. There are about 80 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises with 10 of those in the waters off oregons coast. Grey whales migrating south down the oregon coast december through early february timeframe.
Join us as we search for gray whales and other wildlife from high above the oregon coast. We deliver fun, narrated ocean, bay, and river cruises with friendly naturalist guides aboard the 65. Best time to see oregon whales whales tail charters. They go south at the end of december, and north again in march. Watch whales at the oregon coast from march 2431 across oregon, or oregon parks and recreation officials will host whale watching events at. Mar 02, 2017 the trip down oregon coast highway hwy 101 was made at a leisurely pace, as we stopped frequently to scan the ocean for whale spouts at picturesque spots like roads end state recreation site, just north of lincoln city.
Whatever your pleasure, come play on oregon s north. Those looking for oregon coast camping will find much to love. There are no organized whale watching services such as guided tours, or. After enjoying warm winters off the coast of baja, mexico, gray whales make their way to feeding grounds near alaska during spring, often with. Gray whale migration is in full swing on the west coast. Join us with oohs and aahs aboard our one and twohour whale watching trips. However there are a few whales who stay in the area during the summer, instead of going on to alaska, and i have seen them from the beach yachats area and offshore sailing out of n. The north head lighthouse, which overlooks the ocean rather than the river, is another ideal place.
Middecember to february, march to june oregon features sprawling coastlines that beckon to whalewatchers. Orca whales killer of whales killer whale off depoe bay, oregon an odontoceti toothed mammal known as the orca or killer whale is largest member of the dolphin family, but mistakenly called one of the great whales because of its size, they are found in all oceans of the world in transient, resident, and offshore family. The locals and tourist alike go to the headlands, the bluffs and beaches to see the great mammoth beasts that cruise the waters along this california coast. On the northern coast of oregon, there are multiple high points that make good viewing locations for migrating whales. Depoe bay has the distinction of being the smallest harbor in the world, but is also the place where many, many boats heading for oregon coast whale watching depart. The dates of whale watching week in 2020 are march 2129 and dec. As the yearly mass migration of gray whales along the oregon coast toward baja, mexico begins again, the oregon state parks department has kicked off their whale watch week with a livestream of the proceedings from depoe bay. Near garibaldi, some of the best locations to see whales include the north jetty near barview, bayocean spit, cape meares state scenic viewpoint, and cape lookout state park. Swim with dolphins in mexico, caribbean and jamaica at dolphin discovery up to 40% off. O ne of the best things about the pacific coast at this time of year. If youre planning on going whale watching in the northern part of california, from marin county to the oregon border, this guide includes all the best places to go, when to go, and how to see some of the worlds biggest creatures as they swim just off the california coast. Our whale watching excursions are a great opportunity to get out, see the incredible oregon coast for a perspective and then observe the whales in their natural environment.
If you had to pick a mascot for the oregon coast, you might choose the gray whale. Oregon whale watching oregon coast whale watching trips. Depoe bay is your destination for all gray whales on the oregon coast. The land around whale cove on the central oregon coast is now a protected part of the oregon islands national wildlife refuge thanks to a partnership between the property owner and federal, state, and nonprofit organizations. Swimming north from march though may, the gray whales are a sight to be seen, and the event is one of the most underrated experiences you can have along the washington coast. Whales, dolphins and porpoises oregon department of fish. Gray whales will once again migrate past the pacific northwest this spring, bringing some 25,000 whales to the oregon coast. These gray whales move about and feed off the oregon coast during the summer and fall months. Look for everything from grey whales to tiny plankton. You dont even have to get in a boat to go whalewatching instead, some of the best cetaceanspotting in the country can be done from terra firmaespecially in northern california and central oregon, where coastal bluffs provide stellar vantage points for the whale spouts, those. Find hotels near whale watching center, oregon coast expedia. Grey whales then head north in late february to early june. Washington and oregon are among the best places in the world for whale watching. During whale watching weeks, trained volunteers are there to answer questions and provide information that can enhance your whale watching experience check out their website.
Gray, humpback and sperm whales can be observed at any time along the south oregon and northern california coast, but the most active time is during the winter and spring migrations, from november through early april. Take a hike during whalespotting week on oregon coast. However grey whales are seen feeding off the oregon coastline every month of the year. The trip down oregon coast highway hwy 101 was made at a leisurely pace, as we stopped frequently to scan the ocean for whale spouts at picturesque spots like roads end state recreation site, just north of lincoln city. A blue whale carcass that has been submerged off the oregon coast for. Any location with an ocean view may yield whale sightings, and morning light with the sun at your back is best. Gray whales have returned to the oregon coast for their annual spring migration, but it will be empty shores they pass going north. Whale watching on the lost coast and at shelter cove,california is a big activity. Any location with an ocean view may yield whale sightings, and morning light with the sun at your.
Whales counted off us pacific coast by liz osborn scientists have published results of the most comprehensive survey to date of whales, dolphins and porpoises off the united states west coast. Oregon parks whale watching center in depoe bay will be open from 10 a. Click on the park name on the map or park descriptions to see more information. Whale watching in oregon from newport begins at depoe bay, which is actually located just north of newport. The dockside charters whale watching fleet features 50 foot delta charter boats that are clean and comfortable, united. Dec 17, 2017 its possible to see gray whales off the oregon coast yearround, but one of two peak periods occurs in late march, when some 20,000 whales travel north to their summer home in alaska. Near garibaldi, some of the best locations to see whales include the north jetty near barview, bayocean spit, cape meares. The coronavirus outbreak in oregon had already forced the oregon. Enjoy the incredible scenery of our bay, river, and coastline featuring the largest fishing fleet on the oregon coast, our historic. Sunday the conditions are forecast to be significantly improved and getting even better through the week. California grey whales are commonly seen off the oregon coast in their travel from alaska to baja their trips peak in december going south and march going north. To download the full whaleplanner as a graphic, please just click this link and. Gray whale migration coming back to the oregon coast this winter. Oregon coast whale watching every year thousands of gray whales take the journey back and fourth between alaska and mexico and they pass by just outside the oregon coast.
Port townsend and san juan island whalewatching tour from puget sound express up to 51% off. We also found several private rv resorts along hwy 101 between tillamook and depoe bay. While youll meet orcas and gray whales only on the west coast, belugas, blue. Best whale watching depoe bay oregon tradewinds charters. Its possible to see gray whales off the oregon coast yearround, but one of two peak periods occurs in late march, when some 20,000 whales travel north to their summer home in alaska. Port townsend and san juan island whale watching tour from puget sound express up to 51% off. Boardman scenic corridor, to the foggy hills of astoria, there is seemingly every kind of coastal vibe between the borders of california and washington. Winter migration peaks in late december while the spring migration peaks in march. During past spring whale watch weeks, more than 1,800 great grays have been spotted along the oregon coast, drawing more than 20,000 visitors. Gray whales are traveling north on their way to the summer. However there are a few whales who stay in the area during the summer, instead of going on to alaska, and i have seen them from the beach yachats area and offshore sailing out of newport. Tiffany boothe with the whale watch center in depoe bay. Internet downloads of all time, it simply blew chunks of the whale all over. Kalaloch is among the best places in the world to watch one of natures biggest attractions.
Nov 21, 2017 if you had to pick a mascot for the oregon coast, you might choose the gray whale. Regions north coast oregon coast visitors association. Altogether the survey tallied 21 species off the coast of california, oregon and washington. December to early february is the time to find gray whales migrating south along the oregon coastline. The whale watching spoken here program places volunteers at 24 whale watching sites, ready to help visitors see and learn about migrating and resident gray whales. They are right next to shore feeding within 12 mile and stay off depoe bay for months at a time. Northbound pods pass from march through may and cruise closer in, just beyond the surfline. Where to watch thousands of migrating gray whales this weekend. Ecola state park offers hiking trails with great views over the ocean and of terrible tilly, the iconic lighthouse directly off the coast.
Oregon coast whale watching charter boats run whale. In the winter we watch nearly 20,000 gray whales from middecember through midjanuary as they travel south to the warm lagoons of baja mexico, the. Because of depoe bays closeness to the ocean in fact, less than a minute by boat from our dock, youll be sighting whales in no time. As the summer begins, any of the north american coasts are a great option. Lucky visitors might spot humpback whales near the horizon. Click her for southern or northern oregon coast parks. The whaleplanner april a whale watching infographic whaletrips. Whale watching on the oregon coast the official guide to. Watch whales at the oregon coast from march 2431 across. Whale watching spoken here interpretive center in depoe bay is an enclosed building, but if you want to brave the sea wall during the winter and spring months be prepared for oregon coast weather wet and windy. Thats because whale watching in olympic national park offers the unique opportunity to see majestic gray whales as they migrate from their breeding grounds in baja california up the coast to the bering strait, and back again.
Whale watching oregon coast opportunities onboard boats abound. The oregon parks and recreation whale watching center on depoe bay, about 160 kilometers southeast of portland, is a great place to see gray whales making their biyearly migrations between alaska and mexico. Depoe bay is the whale watching capital on the oregon coast. Each winter some 20,000 great grays swim along the shore south from alaskas bering sea to the warmwater.
We offer whale watching and sea life cruises daily from march through october. Take a hike during whalespotting week on oregon coast the. Mar 19, 2018 watch whales at the oregon coast from march 2431 across oregon, or oregon parks and recreation officials will host whale watching events at 24 locations along the coast during spring whale. This is a place for whale watchers to join and share sightings of whales on the oregon coast. And while the migration is expected to go on as usual this year, things. May 23, 2016 december to early february is the time to find gray whales migrating south along the oregon coastline. Every year thousands of gray whales take the journey back and fourth between alaska and mexico and they pass by just outside the oregon coast. Find oregon coast hotel deals and specials at whale cove inn. Spring whale watch week returns to the oregon coast march 2129. You dont even have to get in a boat to go whalewatching instead, some of the best cetaceanspotting in the country can be done from terra firmaespecially in northern california and central oregon, where coastal bluffs provide stellar vantage points for the whale spouts, those minigeysers that explode from the sea. There are no organized whale watching services such as guided tours, or charter boats. Theyre usually in a hurry to get to their calving grounds in baja, mexico, but you can find them five miles offshore, sometimes in large pods, in a parade of water spouts and surfacing gray backs. How to go whale watching at the oregon coast on your own.
Dead whale shuts down central oregon coast beach two. Dubbed as the whale watching capital of the oregon coast, depoe bay has whale watching almost year. Browse expedia s selection of 934 hotels and places to stay closest to whale watching center. Theyre usually in a hurry to get to their calving grounds in baja, mexico, but you can find them five miles offshore, sometimes in large pods. The cove is located at approximately 44 deg 44 min n latitude. If you love spotting whales, one of the best opportunities to. Whale watching kalaloch lodge at olympic national park. While many of the organized events for whale watching occur in late march and early april, a trip to the coast through the month of may could have you yelling thar she. Also whale excrement jump starts the food chain by excreting tons of iron and nitrogen into the environment and since whales excrete at the surface, this whale pump shifts nutrients from deeper in the water column to the surface. Oregon state parks celebrates the migration twice per year during whale watch weeks in late december and late march. These whales do not make the trip to alaska and make the oregon coast their feeding area. Whale cove is a small cove, approximately onethird of a mile 0. Carcass of giant blue whale brought to surface for study oregon. These are the approximately 200 whales that remain in oregons coastal.
Whale watching is not difficult, but a few tips make it easier. Save on popular hotels near whale watching center, oregon coast. Or maybe its a confectioners shop, a craft brewery, gallery or a long stroll on a sandy beach. These magnificent animals usually migrate five to fifteen miles off the coast and are. Download our whale watching brochure to learn out about whale swimming. Where to watch the gray whale spring migration on the oregon coast. Thousands of gray whales migrate north along the oregon coast. These whales are also known as the pacific coast feeding group. The spring whale watch week is just around the corner, where more than 25000 gray whales are expected to migrate north along the oregon.