Humpback Whales Cavorting Around N. Oregon Coast - Finding the Feeding Frenzy

Published 09/04/25 at 6:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Seaside, Oregon) – The yearly feeding frenzy has begun, and that means right now is a great time to hit north coast towns like Manzanita, Cannon Beach, Seaside and Astoria. The manic munching on little fishies has returned to the area, which means a lot of interesting sights. (All photos courtesy Tiffany Boothe / Seaside Aquarium. Above: humpback weaving between boats on the Columbia)

According to Seaside Aquarium:

“Humpbacks and pelicans have been busy feeding on the copious amounts of baitfish in the area. We have seen them off Neakahnie Mountain, Cannon Beach, Seaside, and even in the Columbia River.”

This phenomenon has become a near-annual event over the past decade, typically starting in late August or September. Some years have delivered remarkable scenes - like the time a dozen humpbacks were seen weaving between boats in the Columbia, easily visible from shore as they moved among the vessels.

Their presence isn’t limited to the river. Sightings have extended south to the Neahkahnie Overlooks as well as Cannon Beach. There, they are often seen near Haystack Rock. These coastal visits are tied to a feeding frenzy triggered by “baitballs” - dense schools of baitfish such as anchovies, herring, and schade. These fish are drawn to nutrient-rich waters flowing from the Columbia River and the Necanicum River at Seaside.

When conditions line up, typically in late summer, the whales follow.

The presence of humpbacks around this time of year is always accompanied by the frenetic presence of birds chomping on the same little fishies.

Tiffany Boothe of Seaside Aquarium caught a spectacular closeup of a pelican and other birds having a maritime buffet.

Boothe has documented many of these events since about 2014 – and it's possible they did not occur as often before then. It may be an unusual and rather late development for the Oregon and Washington coast.

“Typically Humpbacks in our area are seen feeding during the summer months five to fifteen miles off the coast, but venture closer to follow bait balls of small fish,” Boothe told Oregon Coast Beach Connection in recent years. “A small handful of individuals have been known to brave the Columbia River when smolt runs are prolific and can spend a few days or a few weeks within the lower reaches of the river consuming up to 3,000 pounds of krill and small fish per day. A few great locations to see the river-exploring whales include Hammond Marina and Cape Disappointment State Park.”

Where to look? Anywhere from Astoria to Manzanita, apparently. Even the south Washington coast's Long Beach area may be good.

Unlike orcas, however, there is no Facebook group watching out for humpback sightings – not like the Oregon Coast Killer Whale Monitoring Program, which passes on sightings with remarkable speed. You will simply have to keep your eyes open.

High vantage points help: like Neahkahnie, those just south of Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park and the riverfront at Astoria. How long they will be around is not known. MORE PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS BELOW

Hotels in Astoria - Where to eat - Astoria Maps and Virtual Tours

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