Gray whales are the most commonly viewed whale on the Oregon coast, and they are often viewed off the coast of Yachats from our three day-use state parks in town. Other favorite nearby spots to watch for whales include the following:
- Cape Perpetua Visitors Center (about 3 miles south of downtown Yachats)
- Cook’s Chasm Turnout (about 3.25 miles south of downtown Yachats)
- Sea Lion Caves Turnout – (15 miles south of Yachats)
About 200 Gray whales live along our coastline most of the year, but the big gray whale migrations occur from late March to June (heading north) and from mid-December through January (heading south).
Although closed in 2020/2021/2022 due to Covid-19, the interpretive Oregon Whale Watch week is usually held in Spring during greater Oregon Spring Break. In 2022, it will return in winter between Christmas and New Year’s, and in Summer from the last week in August to the first Monday of September. During these times whale watch interpreters are posted nearby at Cape Perpetua Visitors Center and Cook’s Chasm Lookout, just south of town.
For more information, please see the links and websites provided below and follow our Events page for updates.
