About Whale Watching Center
Perched on a seawall with expansive ocean views and a large viewing deck, the Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay offers visitors a prime location to observe marine life. Park staff and volunteers provide assistance with spotting whales and other animals, and the center features binoculars for public use and educational displays on whale behavior and migration patterns.
Gray whales migrate past the center in large numbers during winter (mid-December to mid-January) as they travel south to Baja Mexico, and again in spring (late March to June) as they return north with calves. From June to mid-November, resident whales—including humpbacks, orcas, dolphins, porpoises, and occasionally blue whales—frequent the area to feed, with 5 to 15 whales commonly seen daily. The center is open seasonally from March through December, with hours from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, though operations may vary due to volunteer availability or weather.