Heceta Head Lighthouse in Lane County is once again among 15 designated viewing spots for Winter Whale Watch Week, providing visitors with the opportunity to witness gray whales migrating along the Oregon coast. This year’s event took place Dec. 27–31.
If Lane Torch readers missed the Christmas break opportunity to see whales, Spring Whale Watch Week is March 22–30 — during Spring Break. This recurring pair of events is a great opportunity for students to get volunteer experience during winter and spring break. This helps meet some of the requirements for various programs on campus or just create a more robust resume.
Former Eugene resident and dedicated Whale Watch volunteer Pat Blue Heron shared her insights on the migration, which occurs twice a year. “This is the winter migration. Right now, gray whales are traveling from Alaska to Baja to give birth and mate,” Blue Heron explained. “We’re at the peak of that migration. The northern migration, back to Alaska, peaks during spring break.”
Blue Heron, who has been volunteering with the program for 31 years, recalled how she first got involved. “I heard an announcement on KLCC radio shortly after I moved to Eugene in 1992, and it caught my attention,” she said.
Her passion for wildlife extends beyond whales — she also participates in the Christmas Bird Count with the Oregon Birding Association further showcasing her love for nature and conservation.
Winter Whale Watch Week is part of a larger initiative by Oregon State Parks to spotlight gray whale migrations year-round. During the winter nearly 20,000 gray whales travel south to Baja’s warm lagoons while the spring migration sees many — often accompanied by calves — return to Alaska. Summer and fall offer additional opportunities to view resident whales feeding close to shore particularly in hotspots like Depoe Bay.
According to the Oregon The Whale Watching program, it was established in 1978 and was inspired by researchers who identified peak migration periods in the winter and spring. Renamed “Oregon Whale Watch” in the 1980s, it has since expanded into a well-organized onshore whale-watching program.
Its success is attributed to prime coastal locations, thriving gray whale populations, and the commitment of more than 300 dedicated volunteers. Over the decades, the program has attracted tens of thousands of visitors, making Winter Whale Watch Week a beloved tradition for many families and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
Spring Whale Watch Week will take place from March 22–30. To learn more about the event or volunteer opportunities, visit orwhalewatch.org.
