Whale Watching Oregon Coast Style
Heading to the Oregon Coast and looking forward to a wonderful whale watching experience?
Many of our vacationers at our Oregon Coast vacation rentals want to know, when is whale watching season on the coast?
Luckily for visitors, whale watching in Oregon is a year around event!
Even better, Oregon Coast whale watching is something you can do safely during the current Oregon Coast Coronavirus epidemic.
When is whale migration along the Oregon Coast?
Gray whales migrate from the Alaska Bering and Chukchi feeding grounds from mid-December through January, on the way to their breeding grounds in Mexico. Then from late March to June the whales head north, back to Alaska. Approximately 18,000 gray whales pass by the Oregon Coast during their migrations.
On the trip down the whales head south and usually appear about five miles offshore. If you're lucky, you'll be looking for whales when as many as 30 whales pass by per hour.
On their return path the gray whales take their time and are typically found closer to shore, around 1/2 mile offshore.
Whales like to spend their summer vacations as the Oregon Coast, too!
Approximately 200 of the whales stay off the coast of Oregon before continuing up to the Alaska area, typically between June and November. There are about 60 whales seen frequently and have been identified by visitors and experts alike. 40 of these regular whales make their summer home in the area around Newport and Lincoln City.
Oregon Coast visitors can take advantage of the Whale Watching Spoken Here.
Whale Watching Spoken Here was created in 1978 by Don Giles of the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. Don Giles grabbed his best whale watching binoculars and created a program that helps fans of whale watching along the Oregon Coast.
The Whale Watching Spoken Here is a program where three times a year over 300 volunteers are located at 26 sites along the west coast between Ilwaco, Washington and Crescent City, California.
The first week is the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. The next week takes place during the last week of March. The third week takes place during the last week of August.
Where are Whale Watching Spoken Here locations?
You may find a Oregon Whale Watching Map here.
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Ilwaco, Washington
Ecola State Park
Neahkahnie Mountain
Oswald West State Park
Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint
Cape Lookout State Park
Cape Kiwanda
Inn at Spanish Head
Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint
The Whale Watching Center
Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint
Cape Foulweather
Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Don Davis City Park
Cape Perpetua Interpretive Center
Cook’s Chasm Turnout
Sea Lion Caves Turnout
Umpqua Lighthouse
Shore Acres State Park
Face Rock Wayside State Scenic Viewpoint
Cape Blanco Lighthouse
Battle Rock Wayfinding Point
Cape Sebastian
Cape Ferrelo
Harris Beach State Park, Brookings, Oregon
9th Street Beach, Crescent City, California
Not surprisingly, our favorite Whale Watching Spoken Here is from the wonderful lookout at Neahkahnie Mountain, Oswald West State Park, and Ecola State Park Whale Watching near Cannon Beach.
Looking for Whale Watch Vacation Rentals?
Besides our own oceanfront Manzanita rentals which all have terrific views for spotting whales frolicking in the Pacific Ocean - and less than 3 minutes from the Whale Watching Spoken Here site on Neahkahnie Mountain - heck out these Oregon Coast vacation rentals perfect for whale watching:
Or this Depot Bay Vacation Rental with expansive views
How about this pet friendly Newport Vacation Rental?
Happy Oregon Whale Watching Everyone ~
Thank you for reading our blog about life around our Manzanita area, and the incredible Oregon Coast!
Interested in learning more about our oceanfront Manzanita Rentals perfect for whale watching? Contact us for information about our beachfront vacation rentals on beautiful Manzanita Beach, Oregon.
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