Central Oregon Coast
Depoe Bay, Oregon
City
Whale watching from the world's smallest harbor
Depoe Bay is a small city built around a narrow harbor entrance, known for whale watching, a spouting horn and charter fishing.
History & Local Character
The town grew around its small harbor and the Oregon Coast Highway. The harbor is often described as the smallest navigable harbor in the world.
Housing & Real Estate
Housing includes homes on the hills above the harbor and oceanfront properties, with high prices and limited inventory.
Restaurants & Shopping
US 101 has a row of seafood restaurants, cafes and candy shops overlooking the harbor and ocean.
Schools & Education
Depoe Bay students attend Lincoln County School District schools, with an elementary school in town.
Parks & Recreation
Depoe Bay's sea wall, Boiler Bay and Whale Cove offer whale watching and tide pooling, and Devils Punchbowl is a short drive south.
Transportation & Accessibility
US 101 runs through town, with Lincoln County Transit service to Lincoln City and Newport.
Local Businesses
Seafood restaurantsCharter fishingCandy shopsCoastal lodging
No businesses are listed in Depoe Bay yet. Add your business to be the first.
Nearby Attractions
- Depoe Bay Harbor
- Boiler Bay
- Whale Cove
- Devils Punchbowl
Advantages & Considerations
Advantages
- Excellent whale watching
- Compact, walkable downtown
- Charter fishing
Considerations
- Very limited services
- High housing costs
- Tsunami evacuation planning is essential
Frequently Asked Questions
When can you see whales at Depoe Bay?
Gray whales pass the coast on migration in winter and spring, and a resident group feeds offshore in summer. The Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center is a good vantage point.