Because of the unusually rich kelp and algae beds in port orford bay, california grays hang out here anytime during the year, and are usually most active here in the late summer july through sept. I vividly remember taking an extended tour and being out on a boat with my wife. Gray whales migrate close to the coastline making it great for viewing from the shore or better yet from a whale watching excursion boat. Trained volunteers stationed at thirty locations on or near the oregon coast provide information and assist spotting whales. Gray whales were almost driven to extinction in the 1850s.
Start with the cruise onboard a custombuilt boat for spotting marine life. Whale spotted from the whale watch center at depoe bay, oregon. Northbound pods pass from march through may and cruise closer in, just beyond the surfline. We will ride on the black pearl, a rigid inflatable and nearly unsinkable vessel like the coast guard rescue boats you see all over the oregon coast. Whale watching tour oregon tours ecotours of oregon.
These are the approximately 200 whales that remain in oregons coastal waters. 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. Whaletrips oregon the best tips for whale watching in. Port townsend and san juan island whale watching tour from puget sound express up to 51% off. Every trip is led by a certified marine naturalist whose knowledge and passion for vancouver islands marine wildlife is unequaled in the industry, and every vessel in our fleet is equipped with hydrophones to bring the underwater experience to light. There are an estimated 200 whales that consider the waters of the oregon coast home between june and october. Also, if one hour is not enough time, for the whale and marine life enthusiast. Look for everything from grey whales to tiny plankton. Oregon whale watching tours whales tail charters depoe bay. They go south at the end of december, and north again in march. Mar 19, 2017 whale watching tour combines a scenic coast tour with the excitement of seeing 40ton gray whales up close on the pacific ocean.
Whaletrips oregon the best tips for whale watching in oregon. Theres no lack of things to see and do on the oregon coast. This is a place for whale watchers to join and share sightings of whales on the oregon coast. Between the months of december and may, gray whales make an appearance off of the coast of oregon.
Tours are also launched at port townsend eastern entrance to the puget sound, anacortes on fidalgo island, port angeles at the south 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. This was a great addition to our vacation on the oregon coast. Learn about the whales of the world, and the natural and local history of oregon. Comet and eagle eye are exnavy seal boats, sea star is an ex coast guard boat and kida girl is jimmy buffets tender boat which he used with his yacht. One hour of fun and excitement on a personal scenic tour of the beautiful oregon coast. Today there are about 23,000 gray whales about the same population that existed prior to hunting. When you join san juan safaris on a whale watching tour, youll have a great chance to observe orca whales in their natural environment. In original service only from 1871 to 1874 before the commissioning of the nearby brighter yaquina head light eliminated its necessity. The oregon parks and recreation department has started the whale watching spoken here program with volunteers manning the 26 stations along the coast for two weeks in order to give the visitors as much information about the whales as possible.
We also found several private rv resorts along hwy 101 between tillamook and depoe bay. Northbound pods cruise closer in from march through may, just beyond the surfline. Because small craft advisories can occur unexpectedly and ecotours of oregon places the highest priority on safety, on rare occasions we are only able do the sightseeing parts of the tour. The best whalewatching spots are port orford heads, cape blanco and battle rock park. In washington, whale watching boils down to the waters around vancouver island. Depoe bay, home to the states whale watching center, boat tours, and whaleinspired shops and cafes, may be the gray capital of the west coast. Sub sea tours is a family owned business since the turn of the millennium. If you have time and binoculars, also visit one of the state parks where you can view whales.
Middecember to february, march to june oregon features sprawling coastlines that beckon to whalewatchers. In addition, local charter boat companies will take you out for upclose experiences if ocean conditions allow. Here are a few spots known to be good for whale watching on the washington coast. On each trip, approximately 18,000 gray whales pass close to the oregon coast. Apr 22, 2010 if you cant make it during whale week, come a few months later. Download our whale watching brochure to learn out about whale swimming. Yaquina bay lighthouse was built in 1871 and is the second oldest standing lighthouse structure on the oregon coast. In 1993 they were removed from the endangered species list, but they are still protected. Whale watching in oregon offers a chance for whale lovers to get out onto the open sea and look spend some time with. Whalewatching overlooking oregons spectacular south coast. Sunday the conditions are forecast to be significantly improved and getting even better through the week. A miraculous and rugged, basaltrimmed bay, boiler bay is a great place to watch wild surf action on the rocky spurs. Walking is not as easy as it used to be, and setting out to enjoy a walk measured in miles is no longer an option. Po box 552, depoe bay, oregon 97341 541 7652545 or 800 7338915 oregons premier charter fishing service.
Our trips are fun, informative and interactive, our captains are devoted to making your oregon coast whale watching tour an experience of a lifetime. I highly recommend a whale watching tour with whales tail at depoe bay while on your oregon coast vacation. The best whale watching spots are port orford heads, cape blanco and battle rock park. Port orford offers great whale watching during the year. Our coast guard inspected vessels travel farther and faster than other tours, allowing you the best chance to see whales and other wildlife. Conditions saturday were too rough to get out whale watching. Heceta beach starts at the north jetty of the siuslaw river and goes north for 3 miles of sandy beach, where it crosses sutton creek and turns into baker beach which. So don your raincoats, boots, and binoculars, and come out to witness a true miracle of mammal migration. Orca spirits three hour whale watching tours run daily from april through october.
Many of our charter boat members run whale watching trips contact them directly for schedules and rates. Whale watching is a yearround activity on the oregon coast with gray whales by far the most commonly seen. Whales tail charters is dedicated to ensuring that your time spent whale watching with us is the highlight of your oregon vacation. For nearly 50 years offering worldwide adventure cruises, exotic vacations, expeditions including wildlife tours, whale watching, and other ecotourism. Gary and kit at whales tail are great people to deal with and their customer service is superb. Tiffany boothe with the whale watch center in depoe bay. Oregon coast whale watching the oregon coast visitors guide. A beautiful view of newport and the lighthouse from the ocean. They were protected in 1946 by the international whaling comission.
The california gray whales pass the oregon coast from december till may. Our 34 hour classic whale watching tours depart from friday harbor, just steps from the ferry landing. Our boats provide passengers with the adventure of a lifetime through excellent customer service, seamanship, first class vessels, and highest possible safety standards. Any location with an ocean view may yield whale sightings, and morning light with the sun at your back is best. Middecember to february, march to june oregon features sprawling coastlines that beckon to whale watchers. 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. Cruise on the pacific ocean in a sturdy boat with a professional crew, looking for gray whales as they migrate along the coast of north america. Additionally, volunteers from whale watching spoken here will be at 24. This whale watching tour is seasonal the best season is june through october. Dolphins, seals and seabirds are often spotted during this whalewatching tour and the crew provides informative commentary about the marine animals and environment. All the boats have comfortable seating of 6 16 seats. Whale watch boat tours oregon coast forum tripadvisor.
We can also see whales in migration in late decemberearly january and from aprilmay. Swim with dolphins in mexico, caribbean and jamaica at dolphin discovery up to 40% off. 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. As well as having good whale sightings mostly gray whales we enjoy views of the beautiful oregon coast you can get no other way other than from the deck of a boat. Whale watching trips oregon fishing charters columbia. To help you plan your trip, here is a 2day winter whale watching itinerary. While there are a number of different places to find whale watching oregon coast boats, the seaside town of newport is probably the busiest. Whale research ecoexcursions where learning meets the sea. Thinking about heading to oregons adventure coast this holiday season. Washington coast whale watching beachcombers nw blog. Oregon whale watching oregon coast whale watching trips. Nearly 50 whales spend the spring and summer in the area. Last new years day at depoe bay, we sat at our hotel room window for an hour watching a pod of transient orcas feast on sea lions. There is also a whale watching centre in depoe bay.
To take advantage of the california gray whales 12,000mile migratory route from a gold beach standpoint, southbound migrating whales move past the oregon coast dec. Port townsend and san juan island whalewatching tour from puget sound express up to 51% off. Where to go whale watching in the western usa visit the usa. Each winter some 20,000 great grays swim along the shore south from alaskas bering sea to. Po box 552, depoe bay, oregon 97341 541 7652545 or 800 7338915 oregon s premier charter fishing service. The whale watching spoken here interpretive center is in depoe bay on the central oregon coast, off highway 101. Join us for an exciting and thrilling ride to see gray whales and other marine life.
Nov 21, 2017 if you had to pick a mascot for the oregon coast, you might choose the gray whale. Whale watching in oregon offers a chance for whale lovers to get out onto the open sea and look spend some time with other whale watching enthusiasts. 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. Whale watching brookings whale watching spoken here whale watching spoken here is a volunteer gray whale watching program during peak migration times coinciding with winter and spring breaks. Whale watching trips oregon fishing charters columbia river. For more information or to book please call numbers below. Whales tail charters offers oregon whale watching tours in depoe bay. This splendid panoramic viewpoint presents a good opportunity to see migrating and resident gray whales. The gray whale makes the longest journey traveling 1014 thousand miles round trip from feeding grounds to breeding lagoons. Kevin, rose marie, shawna, mario and adam have been sharing their love of the water with visitors, friends and locals of morro bay for the last 20 years. Dolphins, seals and seabirds are often spotted during this whalewatching tour and the crew provides informative. Join us for a great boat tour out of the unique dolley dock in port orford where we will see all kinds of wildlife, unique south coast geology, and the amazing redfish rocks marine research reserve.
Migrations take them from the bering sea where they spend their summers to baja california, mexico in winter months, this is a round trip of 10,000 miles per year. On the trip down, these giant mammals head south on a direct course, move quickly, and mostly stay about 5 miles offshore. A lot of tour operators offer both classic and kayak tours there. The annual migration of the gray whales actually covers a course stretching from alaska to baja, but it is in the winter and early spring that oregon coast whale watching is best. 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. Whale watching on the oregon coast visit garibaldi, oregon. Whale watching bandon whale watching spoken here whale watching spoken here is a volunteer gray whale watching program during peak migration times coinciding with winter and spring breaks. This is an excellent tour that checks many items off the list 1 viewing whales 2. Oregon coast whale watching charter boats run whale.
We deliver fun, narrated ocean, bay, and river cruises with friendly. Riding the rails on the oregon coast scenic railroad august 5, 2016. Glide along the spit, and then look for humpback whales at play during their annual pilgrimage to the coast of australia. There are also tour guides and activity books you can download to use during. Select from several whale watching cruise times daily and year round. And dont fret, if you miss them now, you can also find gray whales on their return. A twoday oregon coast whale watching trip itinerary oregons. Trained volunteers stationed at thirty locations on or near the oregon coast provide information and. Whale watching is a yearround activity on the oregon coast with gray whales by.
One and a half, or two hour excursions, depending on. If you cant make it during whale week, come a few months later. Here you can learn about depoe bays resident gray whales and experience transiting the worlds smallest navigable harbor. In addition, we are conveniently located to major oregon coast attractions such as the sea lion caves, heceta head lighthouse, the oregon coast aquarium, and three rivers casino. Each winter some 20,000 great grays swim along the shore south from alaskas bering sea to the warmwater. Oregon coast whale watching charter boat and air services are also available for modest fees at many locations for even closer experiences of gray whales and other sea life. Gary and kit at whales tail are great people to deal with and their customer service is. Dockside charters has one hour whale watching excursions scheduled daily, weather permitting. Grey whales migrating south down the oregon coast december through early february timeframe. Visit surfers paradise and take a whalewatching cruise on the pacific during this day trip from brisbane. Any operating at the end of march in the newportdepoe bay area. These fast, maneuverable boats are extremely safe since they are the boats that are deployed to save the bigger sinking boats.
If you had to pick a mascot for the oregon coast, you might choose the gray whale. Join us at whale s tail charters in depoe bay for an exciting and thrilling ride to see gray whales and other marine life. We offer whale watching and sea life cruises daily from march through october. Besides hiking and camping, whale watching is one of the most popular activities. Killer orca whale watching seattle to san juan islands. Whale watching along the oregon coast spotting a breaching gray whale or orca while whale watching on the oregon coast is an absolute rush and is something youll never forget. Things to do whales watch vacation rentals florence oregon. Even though the peak travel time is in march, migrating whales can be spotted off our coast well into the summer months.