Depoe Bay: Enjoy Navigating the 'Whale Watching Capital of The World’
The town of Depoe Bay, OR is more popularly known as the world’s smallest navigable harbor and stretches across the Pacific Ocean. It is also nicknamed as the 'whale watching capital of the world’ with a lot of oceanography studies are being done, mostly by researchers from the Oregon State University. It was named after Charles Depot, a Siletz Indian who originally owned the land by virtue of the Dawes Act of 1887.
Best Time to Visit
Summer is the season when Depoe Bay, Oregon get usually crowded, and hotel rates are quite expensive.In particular, the Labor Day, the Fourth of July, and the Memorial Day are three major summer holidays that draw vast tourist hordes. Not surprisingly, room rates of Depoe Bay, OR hotels during these times are the costliest. If you’re after the most spectacular times for whale watching, get to the town during the last week of December to the first week of January when the winter migration moves whales from Alaska to the southern direction ofwarmer waters. Another great time to watch whale is during the spring migration from late March to early June.
What to Do & Area Attractions
Among the best places to watch whales in Depoe Bay is the Whale Watching Center with park rangers providing educational talks about the animals. If this is on the top of your bucket list, consider staying in Clarion Inn Surfrider Resort, which is within walking distance to the center. It is also near Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area and Beverly Beach State Park which are great places for sight-seeing and other outdoor activities. Whale Pointe At Dope Bay is another favorite as it is also near Devils Punch Bowl State Natural Area and Flying Dutchman winery.