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hose living on the Oregon coast
have a front-row seat for one of the most spectacular events of the natural
world—the migration of gray whales. Each year, thousands of these gentle giants
make a roughly 10,000-mile round-trip south from Alaska's Bering and Chukchi
seas to the lagoons around Baja California, where they mate and give birth
before returning north.
Held at the height of the winter and spring migrations, Whale Watch Week
gives landlubbers an opportunity to learn about these aquatic denizens without
getting their feet wet. Trained volunteers are on hand at 30 coastal locations
during the week, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., to answer questions. An average of 29
whales per hour cruise along the coast during the winter and observers can
usually see columns of water spouting 15 feet high as far as five miles out.
"Closer in, you'll be able to see flukes as the whales dive, complex
acrobatics with partial leaps out of the water, and spy hops when the whales
peek above the water," says Mike Rivers, volunteer coordinator for the Oregon
Parks and Recreation Department's Whale Watching Program. And best of all, it's
free.
Inn at Spanish Head, Lincoln City IndoorDuring the last spring migration, 287 whales were spotted form the 10th floor of the inn.
Boiler Bay State Park, north of Depoe Bay OutdoorTune your car radio to 1610 AM at this site to pick up broadcasts about whales.
Depoe Bay Sea Wall, Depoe Bay OutdoorDepoe Bay is the self-proclaimed "Whale Watching Capital of the Oregon Coast."