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How to Have a Whale of a Weekend in Depoe Bay, Oregon
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A resident pod of gray whales makes its summer home along the coast by Depoe Bay, Oregon. Some of the whales seem to hang out there year round. I have seen gray whales every time I have visited Depoe Bay, winter, spring, summer or fall. Orcas and the occasional humpback make cameos a few times a year, as well.
Here is your guide to a perfect whale themed weekend in Depoe Bay, with luxury or cheap and cheerful options:
Where to Stay in Depoe Bay:
Fancy:
If you’re up for romance or want to splurge, check yourselves into the Channel House. There should be fresh chocolate chip cookies waiting on your pillow when you arrive. Most of the rooms come with Jacuzzis on private decks, where you can relax and drink some wine as you spot whale spouts in the distance. For a truly thrilling experience, request a room on the corner of the building, looking over both the channel and the ocean. In order to get out of Depoe Bay Harbor, the world’s tiniest harbor, Coast Guard boats, whale watching boats and private crafts ride with the waves under the bridge, through the shallow, narrow channel and out into the open sea. The Channel House is across the channel from the Whale Watching Center, so you get the same spectacular view all to yourselves for the night. The fireplaces are lovely and the décor is not tacky. The slightly chilly receptionists won’t become your new best friends, but you’ll be tended to.
Cheap and Cheerful:
One thing you’ve got to love about camping in Oregon are the yurts. Beverly Beach State Park is 6.5 miles from Depoe Bay and has 21 yurts available. You’ll need to make a reservation well in advance if you plan on visiting during the summer. Bring your own sheets and marshmallows.
Where to Eat:
Fancy:
If you like your fine food to come with a view and don’t want to get in your car, go to Tidal Raves. Make sure you have a reservation if you’re going for dinner on the weekend. It’s perfectly acceptable and you can have a couple of glasses of wine then stumble back to the Channel House after dinner.
The Bay House in Lincoln City is even better, but you need to make a 15 minute drive north to get there. It’s a bit more expensive than Tidal Raves. Make sure to get there in time for sunset. The bay view is, again, incredible.
Cheap and Cheerful:
If you love kitsch, boy are you going to love Gracie’s Sea Hag. Gracie (of TV fame) herself will probably come out while you are dining on her bland, forgettable seaside cuisine and play the bottles for you.
If you don’t mind getting in your car, drive 15 minutes north to the Blackfish Café and order the fish and chips. They’re some of the best I’ve had. Locals agree – they’re some of the best on the coast.
Whale Related Activities:
I always stop by the Whale Watching Center as soon as I arrive in Depoe Bay to get the skinny on recent whale activity. The whale watch boats communicate with the Whale Watching Center, so you can find out how many whales are out there, and possibly see them from the center’s excellent vantage point. If it’s after 4 or 5 and they’re not open, you’ll still want to check out that day’s whale count, posted on their window.
I go whale watching with Dockside Charters when I’m in Depoe Bay. They offer a 1½ hour large boat tour option and also a zodiac boat tour for 1 to 2 hour options and leave throughout the day, if weather permits. Prices range from $20.00 to $45.00 depending on your druthers. This company errs on the side of caution when it comes to rough seas, so if there are white caps out, chances are, they won’t be running trips.
If the sea is too rough to go whale watching, the wonderful Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport is 20 minutes away, and the Sea Lion Caves are another 40 minutes south beyond that, making this a great place to have a whale of a weekend, rain or shine.
Channel House Inn
35 Ellingson Street
Depoe Bay, Oregon 97341
(541) 765.2140
http://www.channelhouse.com/
Beverly Beach State Park
US101, 7 miles N of Newport
198 NE 123rd Street, Newport, OR 97365
For information only, call (541) 265-9278 or (800) 551-6949.
To make reservations, call 1-800-452-5687.
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/images/pdf/beverly_full.pdf
Blackfish Café
2733 NW HWY 101
Lincoln City, OR 97367
(541) 996-1007
http://www.blackfishcafe.com/
Sea Hag Restaurant & Lounge
58 N. Highway 101
PO Box 1006
Depoe Bay, Oregon 97341
(541) 765-2734
http://www.theseahag.com/
Tidal Raves
279 NW U.S. 101
Depoe Bay, OR 97341
(541) 765-2995
The Bay House
5911 Southwest Highway 101
Lincoln City, Oregon 97367
Phone: (541) 996-3222
http://www.thebayhouse.org/
Whale Watching Center
119 SW Highway 101
Depoe Bay, OR 97341
Phone: (541) 765-3407
http://www.whalespoken.org
Dockside Charters
Depoe Bay Harbor
Depoe Bay, Oregon 97341
(541) 765-2545 or (800) 733-8915
http://www.docksidedepoebay.com/
Sea Lion Caves
91560 Hwy. 101 N.
Florence, OR 97439
(541) 547-3111
http://sealioncaves.com/
Oregon Coast Aquarium
2820 SE Ferry Slip Road
Newport, OR 97365
(541) 867-3474
http://www.aquarium.org
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