“Proof that Great Things Come in Small Packages.”

Depoe Bay is tiny, a fact that locals seem to take particular pride in. It promotes itself on signs as having “”The World’s Smallest Natural Harbor”” – which, carved by the sea out of volcanic rock and at only 6 acres, is very small indeed. Truly, if the local speed limit on HWY 101 allowed for higher speeds, one could easily imagine missing the town itself in a long blink. But that would be a terrible shame, and a waste, because block for city block, Depoe Bay has an awful lot to offer the interested and fun-seeking traveler.

Every Town Has a Little Background to Tell…

In the later half of the 1800s there was a Native American of the Tututni tribe known as “”Charlie”” who worked at the military train depot near Toledo, Oregon. Because of his occupation, and upon being given a land allotment in 1894 (as part of the Dawes Act of 1887) in the same area where the town is now located, he was given the official name of Charles “”Charley”” Depot. Later, the family changed the spelling of the family name to “”DePoe”” – whereby, as the area developed and grew, the town that came into being around the tiny bay became known as Depoe Bay.

Small…But With Some Mighty Big Friends…

Depoe Bay is widely known (and deservedly promoted) as “”the whale watching capital of the Oregon coast.”” Depoe Bay is blessed to have a resident pod of grey whales which makes its very home here 10 months out of the year. Visitors from all over come to “”whale watch”” from many shoreline observation posts or to take one of the many hired charters out for a closer look. The Depoe Bay Whale Center is one of Oregon’s newer State Parks and the home of the acclaimed “”Whale Watching Spoken Here”” program. The center is dedicated to sharing information about whales and helping visitors to understand and appreciate these amazing creatures.

Walking The Wall…The Sea Wall…

A huge sea wall runs the length of the downtown area allowing visitors to shop or dine always within view of the ocean. Depoe bay has the distinction of being the only town on the entire coast with this amenity. You can walk (or use a wheelchair) from one end of downtown to the other and never be more than a few feet (horizontally) from the rocky tideline.

Dining and Accommodations

Large-hearted hospitality abounds in here in the wide range of lodging. Choose from plush resort hotels, charming motels, B&B’s, timeshare condos and RV parks. Many are ocean-front with spectacular ocean views. As a diminutive tourist-oriented fishing village, Depoe Bay is brimming with colorful stores, gift shops and galleries with maritime collectibles, fine art, apparel and famous salt water taffy. Depoe Bay’s many casual cafes and fine restaurants feature every cuisine, most with our bountiful fresh sea-food as the theme. Enjoy generous buffets – which are the local favorites – or sample haute cuisine and award-winning regional wines.