Gray Whale Watching on the Oregon Coast

As the weather cools every winter, more than 20,000 Gray whales migrate south to the warmer waters off of Baja Mexico. In the spring, they will migrate back up north to Alaska, passing along the Oregon coastline again to the delight of whale watchers. If timed right and the skies are clear, getting a glance at whales passing by can be a breathtaking experience. Approximately 30 whales migrate along the Oregon coast every hour during peak southbound migrations, and about six pass by each hour during the northbound migration.

Although Gray whales are generally about five miles off of the shore, they can be identified from afar by their spouts as they rise to the surface. Since these spouts shoot up around 12-feet high, they are easy to identify on a clear day and can be viewed even closer with the use of binoculars. If you’re lucky, you may even see a Gray whale launch out of the water to perform a breach!

Read on for elevated vantage points perfect for Oregon coast whale watching.

You should be able to see whales all along the North Coast during migrations, but there are three key destinations to be aware of that are staffed by volunteers during Whale Watch Weeks in late December and late March. This includes Fort Stevens State Park, Ecola State Park, and the Neahkahnie Mountain Historic Marker off of Highway 101. Especially from Neahkahnie Mountain (one of the highest points on the Oregon coast), visitors have expansive views of the ocean which makes it an excellent vantage point for spotting Gray whales as they migrate.

But even from grassy dunes by the beach or from beachfront balconies, you should be able to find whales if you are looking for them during their travels. Even during non-migration seasons in the summer and fall, approximately 200 whales reside in the waters off of the Oregon coast to feed.

Is there whale watching on the Oregon coast?

Yes! The Oregon coast is a premiere destination for whale watching, with an abundance of Gray whales traveling up and down the coastline every year.

When is whale watching season on the Oregon coast?

Whale watching is best during key migration times for Gray whales. You can catch them heading south along the Oregon coast from mid-December to mid-January. The same whales can be seen returning along the Oregon coast in late March until June as they make their way north.

What to wear whale watching at the Oregon coast?

If you are whale watching on the North Coast during the winter months, bring plenty of warm clothes and rain gear to keep you comfortable as you view whales passing by from the shores. Weather in the spring is generally more pleasant but unpredictable, so bring layers to account for sun, wind, and rain.

Where to go whale watching on the Oregon coast?

While the entire Oregon coast has many whale watching destinations to choose from, there are a few key spots on the North Coast. This includes Fort Stevens State Park in Astoria, Ecola State Park between Seaside and Cannon Beach, and the Neahkahnie Mountain Historic Marker off of Highway 101. Cape Lookout State Park also offers impressive viewpoints that can be great for catching a glimpse of the whales.