The annual whale migrations are one of our favorite things to see on the Oregon Coast. Every year from mid-December through January, around 18,000 whales make their way south from Alaska down the coast to Baja, Mexico, where the warm waters are perfect for giving birth to their babies. They make the return trip with their calves from late March to June.
It’s a long-standing tradition on the Oregon Coast to watch for the whales as they make their journeys past our beaches, and many communities host whale-watching events. This spring, Oregon’s state parks along the coast are all closed due to COVID-19. Luckily, you can still see the migrating whales on a special live feed. Check it out:
Attending Whale Watching Week events is a bi-annual tradition for many Oregonians. Typically, Oregon’s state parks host events with rangers on hand to provide plenty of education and tips for viewing the whales.
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Depoe Bay is one of the best places to see whales up close. You’ll spot resident whales who hang out here year-round, as well as those passing through. The Whale Watching Center has lots of educational resources on hand, and even has binoculars you can use.
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Depoe Bay isn’t the only place to see the whales, though. Starting in late March, migrating whales (often traveling with their calves) can be viewed all along the coast.
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The first sign of a whale is usually its spout. As the whale comes close to the surface, it exhales a spout of warm air through its blowhole. You can see the fine mist appear right above the water.
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If you’re close enough (of have a pair of binoculars), you can often see the whale’s back…
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…before it dives back into the depths. Fluking, as seen here, is common. The whale lifts it tail out of the water as it dives.
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Whale watching is a great way to spend the day, but the spring migration festivities in 2020 have been affected by the social distancing measures necessary to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
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Luckily, the Oregon State Parks live feed on YouTube.com lets you spot whales without leaving your home! Visit the page, then scroll down to the “Uploads” section, where you’ll find all the live streams throughout Whale Watching Week. The video shown below is from day one of Whale Watching Week, March 21, 2020.
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Do you have fond memories of seeing the whales during the migration? Share them with our readers in the comments!
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