That soaring white spray – is it spindrift or spout? You’ll have to look closely to see. December to early February is the time to find Gray Whales migrating south along the Oregon coastline. They’re usually in a hurry to get to their calving grounds in Baja, Mexico, but you can find them five miles offshore, sometimes in large pods, in a parade of water spouts and surfacing gray backs.
Near Garibaldi, some of the best locations to see whales include the North Jetty near Barview, Bayocean Spit, Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint, and Cape Lookout State Park. In addition, local charter boat companies will take you out for up-close experiences if ocean conditions allow. So don your raincoats, boots, and binoculars, and come out to witness a true miracle of mammal migration. And don’t fret, if you miss them now, you can also find Gray Whales on their return North, beginning in March. They’ll raise their spray to salute you.