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City in Oregon, United States
Photo: EncMstr, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Depoe Bay is a town on the Central Oregon Coast, famous as the smallest navigable harbor in the world, and as the "whale watching capital of the world." Lots of research goes on, mostly connected to Oregon State University's oceanography department.
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See the rugged bay from the parking/ picnic area on the rocky cliffs. The bay is named for a 1910 shipwreck, and the ships boiler can be seen at extreme low tide. This is a good place to watch for resident grey whales year round, as well as ocean-going birds.
A cliff-rimmed beach where a creek flows into the ocean. Good place to tide pool or bird watch. There's also both wind-sheltered and covered picnic structures. Inland, wooden footbridges lead you through the Sitka spruce, western hemlock, shore pine and alder forest.
Zodiac (rigid-hull inflatable boats) tours. Run by Carrie Newell (Gray whale expert who has worked with the Cousteau family). Previous day or earlyAM if weather questionable, for schedules and dock number. Trips available throughout the day during the season (through mid-October.)
Wooden boats, sightseeing, fishing, one daily (early AM) Zodiac (rubber raft) tour. Check early AM for schedules/availability (as of 07-03-09).
52 spaces with 25 pull throughs. Cable TV, Recreation room, and laundry.
Depoe Bay is relatively easy to get to. If you are coming from the south on Hwy 101, continue past Newport for 27 miles.
Read in the guideDrive (slowly) if you must, but the best way to see everything is to walk. There is plenty of parking.
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Salem · Regional · SLE
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