Ride a small Zodiac with a naturalist captain for close views of gray whales and local marine life off Depoe Bay
90 Minutes
Up to 6 people
Whale tour, Lifejackets, Museum
Board a 6-passenger Zodiac and head onto the Pacific to search for gray whales and local marine life with a naturalist captain. Watch a short educational film before departure to help you spot behaviors and learn about the resident whales of Depoe Bay.
Children must be 5 years or older due to seating restrictions. Ocean conditions are usually better earlier in the day, and trips may be canceled if conditions are unsafe.
Please arrive early to allow time for parking. The Depoe Bay Bridge preservation project during spring and summer may affect parking near the museum.
There is no storage on the boat, so anything you bring (including backpacks) must stay on your lap or in your hands during the trip.
Change or cancel up to 24 hours before check-in or start. Cancellations less than 24 hours are charged in full. If the trip is canceled due to unsafe ocean conditions, you can reschedule or receive a refund.
A: Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time to ensure an on-time start.
A: Yes, all participants must read and sign a waiver before arriving for the tour.
A: We recommend bringing a jacket or rain gear, hat, sunglasses, gloves, and a camera. Please note that there is no onboard storage, so all items must be kept with you.
234 U.S. 101, Depoe Bay, OR 97341. Please arrive at least 30 minutes early for check-in.
Step inside Ripley's Believe It or Not! World of Adventure on Newport's historic Bayfront and prepare to have your sense of reality gently upended. From shrunken heads to life-size wax figures to mind-bending optical illusions, every gallery turn reveals something stranger than the last. Ripley's Believe It or Not! World of Adventure draws curious visitors of all ages into a world where the improbable is simply Tuesday.
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