December 16, 2022 9:30 a.m.

For the first time since 2019, Oregon State Parks will host Whale Watch Week in person along the Oregon coast from December 28th through January 1st.

An OPRD release said every year thousands of Gray whales migrate south through Oregon’s waters at the end of December, and OPRD invites visitors to the coast to see their journey.

Trained volunteers will be stationed at most of the 17 sites to help visitors spot whales, share information and answer questions from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. daily. OPRD said that these sites are some of the best places to watch for whales on the Oregon coast.

Park Ranger Peter McBride said “We really enjoy getting folks out to the coast for Whale Watch Week. Its something that Oregon State Parks has been doing for more than 40 years now, and we’re really glad to be able to bring it back in person”.

A map of volunteer-staffed sites is available online: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=things-to-do.whale-watching

An estimated 19,000 Gray whales are expected to swim past Oregon’s shores over the next several weeks as part of their annual migration south to the warm calving lagoons near Baja, Mexico. The end of December is the peak time for their migration as roughly 30 whales pass by per hour.

The Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Visitors to the center can view interactive whale exhibits and take in the panoramic ocean views.

For a list of safety tips, go to: https://visittheoregoncoast.com/beach-safety/