Depoe Bay, Oregon: Whale Watching next to the World’s Smallest Harbor

Through a narrow, rocky chasm along Oregon’s coast, you can find the world’s smallest navigable harbor; it’s just 6 acres wide. The town that contains this harbor is Depoe Bay, and it’s tiny too, with fewer than 1,500 residents. A natural sea wall protects the little town, and its main shopping streets closely follow the coastline, with nice views of the Pacific nearly everywhere you look.

There are a number of natural phenomena drawing visitors to Depoe Bay. One is the Spouting Horn—a natural underwater cave that transforms incoming waves into a powerful spray that often soaks Highway 101, which runs through Depoe Bay. The area is also a destination for storm watchers who listen for gale warnings and then pull up and park along the seawall.

A pod of gray whales swims through the bay 10 months out of the year, making the area popular for whale-watching excursions. There’s even a state park, the Whale Watching Center, which sets up visitors to watch and understand whale migration. Close to 20,000 whales swim past the center before June annually.

Hotel at a Glance: 2.5-Star Depoe Bay Hotel

This 2.5-star Depoe Bay hotel rests right on the beach along the Pacific Ocean. And it’s not just the views that connect this resort to the ocean; the onsite restaurant celebrates the sea by serving locally caught seafood and oysters.

• Oceanfront dining: Almost every seat at the onsite restaurant overlooks the ocean.
• Relax in style: King and queen rooms offer balconies that overlook the Pacific, or in-room fireplaces. Select king rooms have jetted tubs, so you can unwind after a long day out by the ocean.
• Swim in the sunshine: Natural light pours into the indoor saltwater pool from windows overhead.
• Stay connected with free WiFi throughout the resort.