Ride a 13-passenger Zodiac with a naturalist captain to look for gray whales
90 Minutes
Up to 13 people
Naturalist captain, whale search
Board a 13-passenger Zodiac boat in Depoe Bay and head onto the Pacific Ocean to search for whales and other local marine life. Learn about gray whales and what to watch for with a naturalist captain.
This boat requires going up and down 3 flights of stairs. If anyone in your party cannot do stairs safely, book a 6-passenger tour for dock pickup.
Change or cancel up to 24 hours before check-in or trip start time. Cancel less than 24 hours in advance and you’ll be charged the full cost. If your trip is canceled due to unsafe ocean conditions, you can reschedule or get a refund.
No. To board this 13-passenger boat, you must go up and down 3 flights of stairs. If anyone in your party cannot do stairs safely, book a 6-passenger tour instead so you can use a dock pickup.
Bring a jacket or rain gear, a hat, sunglasses, gloves, and a camera or cell phone.
Yes, but there is no place to secure anything on the boat. Whatever you bring (including backpacks) stays in your lap or in your hands for the entire trip.
234 SE Highway 101, Depoe Bay, OR 97341
Carrie Newell is the heart of this operation, and her background as a retired professor and marine biologist makes a genuine difference out on the water. Rather than just pointing at fins, she shares real research, whale family histories, and ecosystem insights that reviewers consistently describe as the highlight of their entire trip. Her dogs Koda and Kilo tag along too, which adds a fun, personal touch to the whole outing. Captain Andrew also earns strong praise, so you're in good hands regardless of who leads your trip. Sightings are frequent and sometimes spectacular, with multiple whales visible at once being a common experience. One family even got to name a newly spotted whale during their tour. The pre-trip video gets a minor mention as less engaging, but nobody seems to leave disappointed overall. If you're deciding between whale watching options in Depoe Bay, the depth of knowledge here is what sets this crew apart. Carrie clearly knows these waters and these animals personally, and that passion is contagious. The small group sizes help too, keeping things intimate and interactive rather than feeling like a crowded tourist shuttle.
Wonderful tour! Didn’t care for the video before tour started but we saw 4 whales, seals with their babies, Carie was very informative and answered any questions! Would definitely book again!
heather granger
May 18, 2026
Wonderful tour! Didn’t care for the video before tour started but we saw 4 whales, seals with their babies, Carie was very informative and answered any questions! Would definitely book again!
heather granger
May 18, 2026