December 11, 2023 2:50 a.m.  

Winter Whale Watch Week returns to the to the Oregon coast from Wednesday December 27th through Sunday December 31st.

It is hosted by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and includes 15 sites.

An OPRD release said every year thousands of gray whales migrate south through Oregon’s waters at the end of December and visitors are invited to see their journey.

Trained volunteers will help visitors spot whales, share information and answer questions from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. daily. A map of the volunteer-staffed sites is available at: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=things-to-do.whale-watching

An estimated 24, 500 gray whales swam past Oregon’s shores last winter, according to the most recent population estimates from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The journey is part of their annual trip south to the calving lagoons near Baja, Mexico. The end of December is the peak time to see their migration south.

The Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Visitors to the center can enjoy interactive whale exhibits and take in panoramic ocean views. Binoculars are provided. Rangers from Oregon State Parks will also be on hand to answer questions about whales.

For more information on coast parks and campgrounds, go to: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/