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Depoe Bay assumes the correct title of
the Whale Watching Capital of the Oregon Coast. A tall sea cliff bounds the entire city along the 101 next to the ocean. This elevated view allows easy spotting of the thousands of migrating whales along the coast in December and March. Depoe Bay even has its own resident pod of gray whales that hang out through the summer.
The ocean aesthetics of Depoe Bay cannot be overstated. Jaw-dropping views of big waves meeting volcanic rock shoreline entertain for hours on end. And public viewpoints and parks line the city from north to south. Plan to spend at least half the time of any visit simply staring from the city s edge out into the dynamic ocean expanse.
7 Tips For Whale Watching Along The Oregon Coast
Jan.11.2021
Twice a year, approximately 20,000 gray whales migrate along the Oregon Coast as they journey from feeding grounds to Alaska to breeding grounds in Baja California, Mexico, and then back to Alaska. Distance covered is about 1,300 miles, which ranks as the largest migration of any animal. The best viewing times are winter (mid-December through January) and late March to June, when the gray whales return north with their calves. Because of the large numbers of gray whales migrating, this article will focus on the gray whales. Here are my seven tips for gray whale watching along the Oregon Coast.
Our own Neskowin, Nestucca Sandlake Watersheds Council is recruiting water quality monitoring volunteers. No experience is necessary, training is provided. The assignment requires a commitment of three to five hours, once monthly and a vehicle to transport oneself to and from remote collection sites and to deliver water samples to the Watershed Council office in Pacific City. If you are interested in participating as a volunteer, or if you have additional questions, feel free to contact Caleb Mentzer, Outreach and Project Development Manager, at assistant@nestuccawaters.org or by phone at 541-513-2604.
Remember that whales are migrating this winter, as always, and can be viewed from shore most days if we know what to watch for. This year s winter whale watch week (traditionally the week between Christmas Day and New Year s Day along the Oregon Coast) will not include volunteer staff and the Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay is closed, all do to Covid-19 precautions. We re encourage
5 things to do this week: Newberg Nutcracker, Outdoor skate, and Jerry Joseph live stream
Updated Dec 30, 2020;
The year 2020 may be behind us, but pandemic restrictions remain. We’ve put together a list of upcoming events that includes both live and virtual things to do this week. Get out and roller skate or watch for sea life, or stay in and watch a concert or ballet.
Visitors peer out at the ocean from the stone shelter atop Cape Perpetua on the central Oregon coast. Whale watching season is in full swing. Oregonian file photo. Jamie Francis/The Oregonian
New Year’s Day whale watching