March 16, 2020 3:05 a.m.
The Spring Whale Watch Week event returns to the Oregon coast March 21st to the 29th to celebrate the more than 25,000 gray whales that are expected to migrate north past the state over the next few months.
A release from the Oregon Parks and Recreation District said trained volunteers will be stationed from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each day at some of the best whale watching sites on the coast, ready to help visitors spot the whales, and to answer questions about the animals. A map of the whale watching sites is available online on the official whale watch webpage: https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=thingstodo.dsp_whaleWatching.
The release said due to lower volunteer turnout this year, not all sites will be staffed by volunteers or park rangers.
Whale spotters can also visit the newly-renovated Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay which will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. The center features interactive exhibits and panoramic ocean views.
In light of the evolving COVID-19 situation, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is prioritizing visitor health and will not provide shared binoculars at viewing sites. Visitors are encouraged to stay home if they are feeling ill.