With such perfect conditions this season, nature-lovers ought to book their Lincoln City beach vacation rentals today and catch the exciting whale watching down in Depoe Bay. This quaint bay on the Central Oregon coast is known as “the whale watching capital” and is only a short drive from all of our beach vacation rentals. Lincoln City and its 7½ miles of beautiful beaches and countless amenities are perfectly positioned for whale watchers heading out for their morning expeditions. Whale-watching excursions leave from Depoe Bay every day when weather permits for roughly 10 months out of the year, and spring brings clearer and calmer days to see more whales. Keep reading to learn more about the whale-watching possibilities along Oregon’s majestic coastline this spring.
Spring Brings Whales in Mid-Migration
The beautiful Pacific Gray Whale is the most commonly spotted on the Central Oregon Coast. The whale-watching season typically runs from December to October, but there are two parts of the season. From December to May, Pacific Gray Wales in the midst of their migration are constantly passing through the Oregon Coast. Most whales spotted in the spring are on the northern end of their migration path, but there are also some heading south. By mid to late May, however, you can also catch the approximately 20 “resident whales” that return every year to Depoe Bay.
Pacific Gray Whales tend to stay around Depoe Bay for extended periods when they are in the midst of their northern migration. This is because their migration is so long – all the way from the Bering Sea between Asia and North America down to Mexico’s Baja Peninsula and Sea of Cortez before heading north again. As they head down, many of the cows (female whales) are pregnant. The cows eat very little in order to reach their destination in the warm lagoons of Baja to give birth, as their calves are not born with enough blubber to survive in cold waters. On the way back up north for summer, though, the emaciated female cows will stop and stay for a while to fill up their bellies and regain their blubber in Depoe Bay.
Stay and Play after a Whale-Watching Day
Whether you choose one of our large coastal houses or cozy beach condo rentals, Lincoln City, Oregon will put you in a perfect position to see your share of migrating or resident whales. And why not extend your stay after whale-watching day? There are countless attractions that bring visitors to Lincoln City, Depoe Bay and the surrounding areas throughout the year. The coast alone can offer days of activities from long walks and pleasant picnics to kite festivals and chili cook-offs to crabbing and clamming clinics so you can catch your own dinner and cook it up in the gourmet kitchen of your beach rental home. If culinary delights are your thing, you’ll also find a wide range of restaurants, wine bars and even fun cooking classes with acclaimed chefs that include a delicious meal at the end. The Lincoln City Cultural Center and Culinary Center are great places to start.
Just don’t wait too long to book your rental home and plan your whale-watching day, then discover all the other activities to round out your stay. Lincoln City and Depoe Bay are home to some of the most beautiful natural spaces and creatures along the Oregon Coast. Whales are just the beginning – and what a beginning they are!
