Spotting a breaching Gray or Orca while whale watching on the Oregon coast is an absolute rush and is something you'll never forget.
I vividly remember taking an extended tour and being out on a boat with my wife. From the loud speaker, the captain explained exactly what we should be looking for and when and where we should be watching. The anticipation of actually seeing one of these mysterious beasts was almost as exciting as when we spotted them. All at once, a small pod of Orcas breached on our left-hand side (I don't know nautical directions; sorry), swam UNDER our boat and then came up and breached on the other side. What an incredible experience that was!
This popular activity along the Oregon Coast began back in the early 1970s, originating around 1953-55 along the Southern California coastline. The Oregon Coast is well-known for the activity of attempting to eyeball these awesome creatures. The annual event takes place when the Gray Whale's 6000 mile migration from the Bering Sea to the Baja's warm waters begins. The southbound migration of the whales runs from November through December and their northern trek goes from February through April.
There are many areas along the coastline that are known for spotting the large groups of mammals. According to Whale Watching Spoken Here, these are the prime places in Oregon to catch a glimpse, from North to South:
Ecola State Park
Neahkahnie Mountain Historic Marker Turnout on Highway 101
Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint
Cape Lookout State Park - 2.5 mile hike to site at tip of Cape
Inn at Spanish Head Lobby on 10th floor
Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint
Depoe Bay Sea Wall
The Whale Watching Center, Depoe Bay
Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint
Cape Foulweather
Devil's Punchbowl (Otter Rock) State Natural Area
Yaquina Head Lighthouse
Don A. Davis City Kiosk
Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site
( note Seal Rock State Recreation Site is no longer a whale watch site)
( note Yachats State Park is no longer a whale watch site)
Devil's Churn Viewpoint
Cape Perpetua Overlook
Cape Perpetua Interpretive Center
Cook's Chasm Turnout
Sea Lion Caves Turnout - large Highway 101 turnout south of tunnel
Umpqua Lighthouse, near Umpqua Lighthouse State Park
Shore Acres State Park
Face Rock Wayside State Scenic Viewpoint
Cape Blanco Lighthouse, near Cape Blanco State Park
Battle Rock Wayfinding Point, Port Orford
Cape Sebastian
Cape Ferrelo
Harris Beach State Park, Brookings, Oregon
Get helpful guides about viewing these awe-inspiring creaturesin PDF format in the Guide Books section
What To Be Looking For
The particular thing that you are watching for is called "spouting." As the whales surface to exhale, they will blow a plume of water from 6 to 10 feet in the air and this can be seen from quite a distance. Once they go back under, watch for the exposure of their backs and tails. Binoculars are a must if you plan to go whale watching.
There are also many places that you can charter a boat out to sea and look for whales. Most tours run from one to two hours. Check with the local chamber of commerce for boat charters or just ask a local!
Spotting a breaching Gray or Orca while whale watching on the Oregon coast is an absolute rush and is something you'll never forget.
they will blow a plume of water from 6 to 10 feet in the air and this can be seen from quite a distance. Once they go back under, watch for the exposure of their backs and tails. Binoculars are a must if you plan to go whale watching.