Depoe Bay takes “on the water” to a new level: a huge sea wall runs the length of the downtown area and gives the (correct) impression that the ocean is always only a few steps away.
Known as the “whale watching capital of the Oregon Coast”, Depoe Bay seems to draw whales to its horizon like clockwork every March through December. The town anticipates those migrations, with a Whale Watch Center, shore observation decks, and charter boats for an up-close view. Depoe Bay’s harbor is noteworthy for being the smallest natural navigable harbor in the world. During storms and turbulent seas, the area’s distinctive geological features result in a phenomena called a “spouting horn” where, much like a whale, the sea itself spouts a massive spray of water into the air above Main Street.