You can spot whales nearly year-round on the Oregon Coast. Gray Whales migrate along the Oregon Coast twice a year, once in spring as they are headed north and in winter when headed south. There are about 200 whales that only migrate as far north as Oregon and can be seen nearly year-round until they return to their breeding waters off Mexico where they stay between December and February.

During the non-migratory times, the best place to spot whales is along the Central Oregon Coast between Lincoln City and Newport. Depoe Bay is one of the best places to see whales during the non-migratory times. Oregon State Parks operates the oceanfront Whale Watch Center in Depoe Bay where parks personnel assist visitors in spotting whales and offer interpretive information. Another good bet is The Lookout at the Otter Crest State Scenic Viewpoint, another facility operated by Oregon State Parks. The towns of Depoe Bay and Newport also offer whale watching boat excursions.

During the annual migrations, Oregon State Parks coordinates Whale Watch Weeks in late December and late March when the number of migrating whales is typically at its peak. Of the migratory periods, the Spring migration offers the best opportunity to spot whales as the trip is taken at a leisurely pace and the whales travel closer to shore. A few whales migrating north will be seen into the summer including slow traveling mothers with newborn calves.