Whale photo courtesy Whale Watch Center(Depoe Bay, Oregon) – March 22 through 29 brings the big whale watch week for the Oregon coast, as thousands of whales begin making their way north on a massive exodus from the waters off Mexico. Many have given birth down south, so there could be plenty of baby whales to gawk at, conditions willing.Hosted by Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department, the spring Whale Watch Week coincides with spring break and features volunteers perched at dozens of high spots along the Oregon coast, helping tourists and science buffs spot the gargantuan creatures on their journey northward. 
Morris Grover, head of the Whale Watch Center, searches for whales in Newport at the spring 2007 whale watch week
Whale watch lookout above ManzanitaThe Whale Watch Center in Depoe Bay has reported already seeing a few northbound grays, as of February 26. 
Also spotted in the last month were seven Orca whales – which often hit the central Oregon coast in sizable numbers in late May to feed on the newborns of the gray whales.Volunteers are in places all over the coast, from Brookings up to southern Washington.On the south central coast you’ll find them at Cape Perpetua Overlook (near Yachats); Cape Perpetua Interpretive Center (near Yachats); Cook's Chasm Turnout (near Yachats); Sea Lion Caves Turnout (north of Florence); large Highway 101 turnout south of tunnel (north of Florence). 541-765-3407. www.whalespoken.org.
One of the turnouts near Florence where volunteers will be situated. Heceta Head Lighthouse is in the backgroundOn the central coast, you’ll find them at the Inn at Spanish Head Lobby on 10th floor (Lincoln City); Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint (just north of Depoe Bay); The Whale Watching Center/Depoe Bay Sea Wall; Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint (between Newport and Depoe Bay); Cape Foulweather (just north of Newport); Devil's Punchbowl State Natural Area (just north of Newport); Yaquina Head Lighthouse (Newport); Don A. Davis City Kiosk (Newport’s Nye Beach); and Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site (Newport).
Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach. All rooms are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones w/ data ports. Oceanfronts have queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and private deck. Both types sleep up to four people. Others are appointed for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. Elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite has two bedrooms, kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. Some rooms pet friendly. 523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.comIn Tillamook County you’ll find them at Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint; Cape Lookout State Park (2.5 mile hike to site at tip of the Cape); Cape Kiwanda (Pacific City).
Orcas have already been seen this year (photo Tiffany Boothe, Seaside Aquarium) In the Manzanita area, you’ll find them at Neahkahnie Mountain Historic Marker Turnout on Highway 101. On the north Oregon coast, you’ll find them at Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Ilwaco, Washington; Ecola State Park (Cannon Beach). 541-765-3407. www.whalespoken.org.
During Whale Watch Week, the Hatfield will feature mammal classes, films, whale tales and various displays. This happens March 22 – 29. Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 Marine Science Dr., Newport, Oregon. 10 a.m. Admission by suggested donation. 541-867-0100. http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu.The central Oregon coast town of Newport is the ticket to some of the best seats in the house for that week. Newport has three official whale watching sites, a few others close by, a plethora of whale watch vantage points and cruises, and two aquarium centers with loads of whale information. 
Whale Watch Center in Depoe BayVisitors can make Newport their base of operations with ready access to three Whale Watching Spoken Here sites: Don Davis State Park, in the historic Nye Beach neighborhood, Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site and Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. The latter two each have their own lighthouse, while the Yaquina Head area has tide pools and an interpretive center. Four other official sites are a short drive away: the state’s Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay, the Depoe Bay Sea Wall, Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint, Cape Foulweather and the Devil's Punchbowl State Natural Area. All are just a few miles to the north. 
Visitors can learn even more with a healthy dose of fun by heading to Newport’s Hatfield Marine Science Center, which offers storytelling, interpretive programs and other events during the Whale Watch Weeks. While they’re there, they can meet the resident giant pacific octopus, Reuben, learn at the touch pool, shop the marine-centric bookstore or take a walk on the estuary trail (hmsc.oregonstate.edu/visitor).
For most people, however, seeing a spout from a distance only whets their appetite for more. Visitors can see a whale up close by simply purchasing a spot on the deck of a charter boat. They come in all shapes and sizes in Newport, which is home to the largest charter and fishing fleet on the Oregon coast. Weather permitting, these seasoned captains can get visitors closer to nature than they’ve ever been before — and nothing compares to the shine on a whale’s fluke, massive and jaw-dropping, 100 feet away.
Inn at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms. Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly. Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. http://www.atcannonbeach.com/.
The Ocean Lodge. There will not be another property built like this in Cannon Beach in our lifetimes. Rare, premiere ocean front location; handsome, dramatic architecture and tasteful, fun (nostalgic) beach interiors. Overlooks Haystack Rock. 100 percent smoke free. Imaginative special occasion packages. Massive wood burning lobby fireplace. Library w/ fireplace, stocked with impressive book collection. Pet and family friendly. Lavish continental buffet breakfast. In-room fireplaces, mini-kitchens. Jacuzzi tubs in select rooms. DVD players, complimentary movies. Morning paper. Warm cookies. 888-777-4047. 503-436-2241. 2864 Pacific Street. Cannon Beach, Oregon. http://www.theoceanlodge.com/
Arch Cape Property Services. Dozens of homes in that dreamy, rugged stretch between Cannon Beach and Manzanita known as Arch Cape. Oceanfront and ocean view , or just a short walk from the sea.
All homes are immaculate and smoke free; some pet friendly (with a fee). Some with broadband, indoor or outdoor hot tubs, fireplaces, decks, and fire pits or barbecues. Call about tempting winter specials that go until March (not valid holidays, however). http://www.archcaperentals.com/ 866-436-1607.
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ASTORIAWhere the Columbia meets the Pacific, Land of Lewis & Clark and loads of atmosphere & history
SEASIDE
The Promenade, Tillamook Head, family fun & broad, sandy beaches
CANNON BEACHA mysterious lighthouse, upscale yet earthy, a huge monolith, fine eateries & an art mecca
NEHALEM BAY
Manzanita's beaches, Nehalem and Wheeler's quirky beauty; laid back Rockaway
TILLAMOOK BAY
Garibaldi, Barview, Bay City, Tillamook & an oceanfront ghost town
THREE CAPES LOOP
The hidden secret of the coast: Cape Meares, a lighthouse, Oceanside, Netarts and Pacific City
DEPOE BAYA spouting horn downtown, freaky hidden cliffs and whales, whales, whales
NEWPORTTime-tripping Nye Beach, a bustling bayfront, marine science-central and two lighthouses
YACHATS
Constantly dramatic wave action, a mix of the rugged & upscale
FLORENCE
A lighthouse, ancient bayfront and miles and miles of fluffy dunes
Photo Tiffany Boothe, Seaside AquariumMorris Grover, with the Whale Watch Center in Depoe Bay, says these are smaller and more shark-like in appearance than what are nicknamed the “friendly” whales, which visit here from the San Juan Islands and live on salmon.
“We see them in our waters every spring, usually arriving about April 15,” Grover said. “But some have already been spotted during the previous whale watch week. They are here to intercept the baby gray whales, as that is the time they usually arrive along the coast. They are usually here for a few weeks.”In 2006, the killer whales lingered until the middle of July. 
Sea lions lounging without fear near Orcas cruising around (photo Tiffany Boothe, Seaside Aquarium) Grover said they sometimes can be seen coming into Yaquina Bay in Newport when they can’t find baby whales, attracted by the proliferation of seals and sea lions in the bay. Some years, they have also been known to linger at the edges of the bay’s jetties. One sighting in recent years was of a killer whale chasing a seal all the way through Yaquina Bay, almost as far east as Toledo. 
Cape Foulweather, a favorite whale watching spotOne theory about why the killer whales have been more frequent in these waters in recent decades is that the sardine population has recently begun to recover from over fishing in the 30’s. Grover said sardines come up through this region in what are nicknamed “bait balls,” where their numbers are so condensed they form a wall of fish, partially out of an instinct to protect their young. Staff at the Whale Watch Center in Depoe Bay can see them at times: they appear as a large, dark mass in the ocean.Orcas here have been seen swimming around them with great frequency, forcing them to coalesce together even closer. Then, the whales will simply start to swim through them with their mouths open, sucking down this wall of fish in a kind of underwater all-you-can-eat buffet.
Yaquina Bay: every once in a while the Orcas wander into the bay at Newport.What staff there noted was that the orcas were swimming around the sea lions, but they weren’t disturbed by the presence of their usual predators. Grover thinks this was because either the whales were full and were not interested in the swimming sea lions, or they were trying to fool them into complacency so they could make a meal of them later on.Boothe also noted the sea lions didn’t seem to be scared by the killer whales swimming around them.
