Why Now Could Be a Great Week for Spotting Killer Whales on Oregon Coast - Video

Published 05/28/25 at 7:45 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Depoe Bay, Oregon) – If you'll excuse the pun, the last few days have been “killer” for spotting orcas along Oregon's nearshore waters. (File photo: Killer whale OCX043 photographed with three other whales 175km west of Bandon, Oregon, September 9, 2021. Robert L. Pitman, Oregon State University )

Sightings around the Oregon coast essentially blew up over the holiday weekend, which could be due to more people out there as much as any other factor. Sunday, May 25 was prime for the money shot, with the Oregon Coast Killer Whale Monitoring Program noting a few on either side of that day, as well as today, May 28.

What it translates to is that this is definitely a good week to head out to the beaches. Any minute now it could simply stop.

Donate to the killer whale research group

Where to go? That's impossible to predict. However, the most sightings take place around Depoe Bay for some reason, so simply hanging out there may increase your chances. Newport has also been not bad, and some were seen recently in Bandon, off Coos Bay and a few incidents around Tillamook Bay

Earlier this year in Florence: Jaklyn Larsen Photography

Get yourself added to the group – run by Canadian researcher Josh McInnes as well as a few other local coasties – and they often get info in real time. Stay tuned to that while you're out there and it may give you a clue where the orcas are heading next.

None of this is guaranteed, either. Orcas move in mysterious ways.

Nearly ten sightings were documented Sunday alone on the page, mostly around Depoe Bay's Cape Foulweather, Whale Cove, Boiler Bay and North Point.

Mike Peeples snagged some incredible video of them off Newport. See the video here.

Photo Dockside Charters from earlier this year

Recent sightings go back to May 22 and 23, which included Bandon and Depoe Bay. Those earlir spottings were ID'd by McInnes but it's unknown if they've ID'd the current bunch (although it could be the same group).

Orcas Return to Central Oregon Coast on Mother's Day - with a Baby Killer Whale

“The T049Bs are well-known springtime visitors along the Oregon coast,” McInnes said.

What are they doing here?

File photo Jaklyn Larsen Photography

Don't necessarily look for the gruesome drama of the baby gray whale kill from two years ago. That, it turns out, was more of a practice run for the killer whale pod, and they didn't eat most of the calf. They're here generally because of pupping season for harbor seals, trying to catch the buffet of baby seals being born. Dozens Watch and Document Orcas Attack, Kill Baby Whale on Oregon Coast: More Videos 

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