Oregon Whale Numbers Stunning This Last Month

Published 10/18/2012

(Depoe Bay, Oregon) – Some stunning numbers of whales sightings have been reported in the last month, thanks to that cozy and cajoling run of great weather the Oregon coast experienced much of the time. Even some humpback whales were reported by officials. Above: Rocky Creek near Depoe Bay, where plenty of whales have been seen.

Those working the front windows of the Whale Watch Center in Depoe Bay have provided some stellar numbers, not just from their vantage point in the bay but from visitors and locals roaming the area.

Those calm and sunny conditions provided the show in two important ways. One: whales can be seen much easier on mellow seas with little wave height. Two: those quiet seas were also responsible for allowing more of the plankton and other food to grow in greater abundance – the stuff that whales feed on.

September 16 had six whale sightings with other whale reports from around Boiler Bay as well.

The next two days the center was closed, but on September 19 the center saw four whales.

A whopping nine whales were seen on September 20, ten whales were recorded lingering throughout most of September 21 and another whopping ten were seen on September 22. That day, one was seen breaching.

September 23 had another massive ten whales spotted, but others were seen elsewhere nearby.

“Whales were sited at Rocky Creek Wayside all day,” the center said. “A gray whale came into the bay in the early afternoon.”

The next two days the center was closed.

Another five were spotted on September 26 and seven were seen the next day, September 27. On the 27th, the whale all apparently left Depoe Bay for Boiler Bay.

September 28 saw pretty rough seas so no whales were seen. But September 29 cleared up and three were seen by the Whale Watch Center in the morning, with reports also coming in from around Boiler Bay. The Coast Guard started escorting boats in by the afternoon when heavy seas kicked in.

Sunday, September 30 provided five whale sightings. The center said a few whales were in the bay in the morning with some more sightings in Boiler Bay.

“Nice tail fluke of gray whale just north of the half-mile buoy.” the center added.

The center was closed for the next two days, but on October 3 one whale was seen. Reports came in of other whales seen at Boiler Bay and Rocky Creek just north and south of town.

October 4, they spotted three gray whales, as well as some nice reports of whales around Cape Foulweather.

October 5 provided four whale spottings, as well as around Boiler Bay. They did not stay long, the center said.

October 6 had three Gray whales being spotted out front of the center, but more were seen that day by others around Whale Cove and Boiler Bay.

October 7 was a stunner, it seems. The center saw eight whales in its area, and they stayed quite a while. But there's more.

“Carrie Newell spotted a humpback whale in the afternoon.” the center said. Newell, who runs a whale watch tour and the Shark and Whale Museum in the area, spotted the humpback out at sea.

The center was closed for the next two days, but on October 10 they saw whales and one humpback inside the half-mile buoy.

October 11 had seven whale sightings, October 12 saw two whales, and October 13 was a bit quiet with just one.

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