Whale watchers love to visit the Oregon coast to spot these gentle giants, and can usually spot whales year-round in the Depoe Bay area. This time of year is a great time to see whales all along the coast as they migrate south, and Whale Watching Week in Oregon is coming up, so you’ll definitely want to plan a visit. Let’s take a look at this majestic display of nature and find out where the best places for whale watching in Oregon are.

Every year, around 20,000 gray whales migrate from the waters off the Alaska coast down to the warmer climate of Baja, Mexico. During their 6,000-mile journey, they swim right along the Oregon coast.
Robert Harding Picture Libr. Ltd./ Collection Mix: Subjects via Getty Images
So, when is Oregon whale watching week? From mid-December to mid-January, it's pretty easy to spot whales along the coast, especially if you have binoculars.
jmerriam7/flickr
While you'll be able to see the whales for most of the four-week period, during Whale Watch Week, the numbers of whales are at their peak. There's nothing like seeing the largest mammals on earth in their natural habitat soaring out of the water.
To spot whales, watch for their spouts. The whales spout three to five times before heading back into the depths to feed for another five to ten minutes.
OCVA/flickr
Whales have two lungs, each about the size of a refrigerator. When they spout, they're releasing the air from their lungs at about 100 miles per hour. The mist spouts high above the waves, and that's the first sign you'll see.

Related Stories

Straddling The Oregon-Washington Border, Government Island, Oregon Is One Of The Most Unique Places You'll Ever Visit

Straddling The Oregon-Washington Border, Government Island, Oregon Is One Of The Most Unique Places You'll Ever Visit

 7 Oregon Swimming Holes That Will Make Your Summer Epic

7 Oregon Swimming Holes That Will Make Your Summer Epic

 One Of Oregon's Coolest Aqua Parks, Wings And Waves Waterpark Is A Thrilling Adventure

One Of Oregon's Coolest Aqua Parks, Wings And Waves Waterpark Is A Thrilling Adventure
If the whale is fairly close to shore, you might spot his back as he comes to the surface. If you're really lucky, you might see him breach (come up out of the water), but that's rare.
Bill Baer/500px Collection/via Getty Images
It's much more common to spot the whale's fluke (or tail) as he dives back down into deeper water.
Missing35mm/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Depoe Bay is a great place to see whales, and its Visitor Center is staffed with park rangers and volunteers who are happy to provide you with plenty of info about gray whales and other resident wildlife.
Nita D/Tripadvisor
During the winter, the center is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but it's also open for Whale Watch Week.
While they're down in the warm waters of Baja, Mexico, female whales give birth to their calves. Then in March, they make the return journey to Alaska.
Leighton Lum/500px Plus Collection/via Getty Images
The volunteer organization Whale Watching Spoken Here has 24 locations along the coast where volunteers will be on hand during Whale Watching Week to educate visitors and help them sight the whales.

Get an aerial view of whales rising to the surface:

Ready to learn more about the 20,000 gray whales that will be traveling along the coast this winter? Oregon State Parks keep the most current info. So get ready to head to the coast and see a true natural wonder. If you want to get up close to these amazing creatures, go on a whale-watching excursion.

Do you have great stories or photos of the whales you’ve spotted along the Oregon coast? If so, we’d love to see them in the comments!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Wonderful Attractions in Oregon

William Suphan | April 05, 2023

What are some hidden gem attractions in Oregon?

Some of the hidden gem attractions in Oregon include:

  • The Pillars of Rome. These amazing rock formations in Malheur County look like something from another planet.
  • Tree to Tree Adventure Park. Come here to walk along suspension bridges high up in the trees and do some ziplining.
  • Steens Mountain. This beautiful area is where you can watch wild horses roaming about the countryside.
  • Pendleton Underground. This is an entire underground city that is over 100 years old and is full of history.

Discover more about these and other hidden gem attractions in Oregon. 

What are the best lesser-known attractions in Oregon?

The best lesser-known attractions in Oregon include:

  • Toketee Falls. This stupendous waterfall on the Umpqua River is set into basalt cliffs and is surrounded by tall, lush trees.
  • The Oregon Garden. This is a collection of over 20 specialty gardens that cover an entire 80 acres and is simply stunning.
  • Opal Creek. This creek is filled with turquoise waters and has several lovely waterfalls and swimming holes.
  • Terwilliger Hot Springs. These hot springs in the Willamette National Forest are a wonderful place to soak and relax.

Learn more about the best lesser-known attractions in Oregon. 

What are the most amazing historical landmarks in Oregon?

The most amazing historical landmarks in Oregon include:

  • Fort Astoria. Also known as Fort George, this fort was built in 1811 and was the main trading post for the Pacific Fur Company.
  • End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. This is the location of the end of the Oregon Trail in Oregon City.
  • The Peter Iredale Shipwreck. The remaining bits of the massive ship called the Peter Iredale can be found on the beach near Hammond.
  • Kam Wah Chung Heritage Site. This is a museum showing a Chinese apothecary that was originally built in the 1870s. 

Find out more about the most amazing historical landmarks in Oregon. 

Related Articles

Explore Oregon

Featured Addresses
Depoe Bay, OR 97341, USA