Albatross

Although this doesn’t pertain to whales I thought I’d mention something about these magnificent creatures. These birds would always follow the ship when I worked on Oregon State University Research Ship “Wecoma”. If you have not seen an albatross they can be a spectacular site, they are master gliders with the wind. These birds have the longest wingspan of any bird, up to 11 feet.

The wandering albatross is the biggest of some two dozen different species. Albatrosses use their wingspans to ride the ocean winds and glide for hours without rest. They can also float on the sea’s surface, though this makes them vulnerable to predators.

These birds can live up to 50 years of age, they are rarely seen on land and gather only to breed, at which time they form large colonies on remote islands. Young albatrosses can fly within three to ten months, depending on the species, but then leave the land behind for five to ten years until they themselves reach sexual maturity.

Albatrosses drink salt water, as do some other sea birds and feed mainly on squid or fish, they are very familiar to mariners who go to sea because they sometimes follow ships looking for handouts. Albatrosses have a special place in maritime lore and superstition, being followed by an albatross is generally considered an omen of good luck.

The Whales Tail operates out of Dockside Charters which is located on the east side of the bay in the center of the harbor next to the Coast Guard Station. We have put our thoughts and ideas together, forming the premise, that ocean charters should be a more personal experience. Be honest and caring, making safety, comfort and satisfaction of our customer’s our first priority. We offer whale watching, scenic tours, to personal charters to fit all your needs. We have built our business on satisfied, repeat customers, give us a try and you’ll see why.

Experience the excitement of seeing gray whales “up close and personal” and other wildlife on one of our whale watching trips aboard the Whales Tail. We depart from picturesque Depoe Bay, Oregon which is only minutes from the beautiful Pacific Ocean. This is a thrilling and exciting ride for people who enjoy being out on the ocean or first timers who just want to experience being out on the ocean and have an enjoyable ride, additionally our whale watching trips are fun and informative.

For more information on whales and our whale watching trips visit: Whale Watching on the Whales Tail


Whales Tail (Dockside Charters)
270 Coast Guard Pl.
Depoe Bay, Oregon 97341

Phone: 541-765-2545
Toll Free: 1-800-733-8915

Whale Watching in Depoe Bay, Oregon

Experience the excitement of seeing gray whales “up close and personal” and other wildlife on one of our whale watching trips aboard the Whales Tail. We depart from picturesque Depoe Bay, Oregon which is only minutes from the beautiful Pacific Ocean. This is a thrilling and exciting ride for people who enjoy being out on the ocean or first timers who just want to experience being out on the ocean and have an enjoyable ride, additionally our whale watching trips are fun and informative.

One of the features the Whales Tail offers is a unique vantage point that gives you 360° viewing for observing Oregon’s resident gray whales as they feed along the coast of Depoe Bay. Don’t be surprised if you notice the whales watching you as intently as you watch them. We try to provide you with a once in a lifetime experience that is not to be missed along with some great memories. This trip is a little more personal where we can take the time to talk and get to know our customers, you can’t beat a ride on the Whales Tail.

Visit our website at: www.whalestaildepoebay.com

Whales Tail (Dockside Charters)
270 Coast Guard Pl.
Depoe Bay, Oregon 97341

Phone:541-765-2545
Toll Free:1-800-733-8915

Whale Watching in Depoe Bay, Oregon

Visit our website at: http://www.whalestaildepoebay.com/


The Whales Tail operates out of Dockside Charters which is located on the east side of the Bay in the center of the harbor next to the Coast Guard Station. We have put our thoughts and ideas together, forming the premise, that ocean charters should be a more personal experience. Be honest and caring, making safety, comfort and satisfaction of our customer’s our first priority. Whether you're heading out on one of our whale watching trips or just got back from a trip, you are always welcome to stop by to relax and say hi, the coffee is always on, and free. We have built our business on satisfied, repeat customers, give us a try and you’ll see why.


The Whales Tail is a 26' zodiac style boat that carries up to 6 people. It was the first and original zodiac style whale watching boat on the Oregon Coast, designed specifically to give passengers the best sightseeing and whale watching experiences.


One of the features the Whales Tail offers is a unique vantage point that gives you 360° viewing for observing Oregon's resident gray whales as they feed along the coast of Depoe Bay. Don't be surprised if you notice the whales watching you as intently as you watch them. We try to provide you with a once in a lifetime experience that is not to be missed along with some great memories.


For more on whale watching visit: http://depoebaywhales.wordpress.com/


Whales Tail (Dockside Charters)
270 Coast Guard Pl.
Depoe Bay, Oregon 97341


Phone:541-765-2545
Toll Free:1-800-733-8915

Gray Whales and How to Identify

For more on whale watching tours visit our website at  http://www.whalestaildepoebay.com/

Gray whales appear gray with splotches of different colored abrasions, scars and barnacles on their heads and backs. The barnacles are most prevelant on the areas of the skin that are exposed to air when the gray whale breathes. The gray whale can carry over 400 pounds of barnacles and whale lice. These parasites create yellow and white patches on the whales skin.

Grays have a narrow jaw and there are 2-5 pleats on their throat to help their mouth to open and expand when they feed. Like other baleen whales, they also have 2 blow holes. Having 2 blowholes, instead of the usual 1 in most whales, allows the gray to have a varied blow. The gray will spout every 20-30 seconds and can be as high as 10-13 feet into the air. They can also produce spouts that are low and wide. Some people say their blows are heart shaped.

Grays do not have a dorsal fin, but instead a small hump with a series of knobs. They have large paddle shaped flippers and broad flukes that are 25% (one-fourth) of their total body length.

Gray whale baleen is very coarse, with 20 bristles per inch. In comparison, Sei whales have over 100 per inch. They have 300 plates of yellow-colored baleen hanging from their upper jaw.

Gray whales are medium sized as compared to other whales. Adult females are always larger than males. Full grown gray whales range from 36-50 feet (10-15m) long and weigh 16-45 tons.

How long do Gray Whales live?
The average life span is 40-50 years, with some reaching 70 years.

The only predators of gray whales are orcas (killer whales) and humans. The scarring on the gray's skin reflects the battles with the orcas. Some grays flee into shallow water while others have beached or stranded themselves to escape orcas pursuing them.

How do they communicate?
While not being know for a wide variety of sounds, the ones they make are fairly simple. Gray whale calls involve moans, rumbles and growls, with the most common being knocking sounds. These sounds range from 100 Hz to 2000 Hz, with the majority between 300 and 900 Hz. To the human ear, this is very low sounding. Low sounds travel much farther than higher pitched sounds, and allow the whale to communicate for distances over a mile or more. Gray whale sounds are much quieter than other baleen whales. Their most vocal time is during breeding season.

For more information on whale watching visit: http://depoebaywhales.wordpress.com/

Whales Tail (Dockside Charters)
270 Coast Guard Pl.
Depoe Bay, Oregon 97341

Phone:541-765-2545
Toll Free:1-800-733-8915

Whale Watching Tours Depoe Bay, Oregon

Cape Foulweather Gift Shop

At this time of the year the Whales Tail is conducting winter maintenance, we have found this to be the best time of the year for this work to be competed due to the unstable weather conditions. We are currently installing a new engine, updating our safety equipment and working on a new web site for the coming season. We will be available for trips March through October. If you have any questions you can e-mail at whalestail115@yahoo.com, we look forward to seeing you in the future.

Experience the excitement of seeing gray whales “up close and personal” and other wildlife on one of our whale watching trips aboard the Whales Tail. We depart from picturesque Depoe Bay, Oregon which is only minutes from the beautiful Pacific Ocean. This is a thrilling and exciting ride for people who enjoy being out on the ocean or first timers who just want to experience being out on the ocean and have an enjoyable ride, additionally our whale watching trips are fun and informative.


The Whales Tail is a 26' zodiac style boat that carries up to 6 people. It was the first and original zodiac style whale watching boat on the Oregon Coast, designed specifically for Dockside Charters to give passengers the utmost in sightseeing and whale watching experiences. We have all the latest safety features and have been inspected.


One of the features the Whales Tail offers is a unique vantage point that gives you 360° viewing for observing Oregon's resident gray whales as they feed along the coast of Depoe Bay. Don't be surprised if you notice the whales watching you as intently as you watch them. We try to provide you with a once in a lifetime experience that is not to be missed along with some great memories.


Dockside Charters is located on the east side of the Bay in the center of the harbor next to the Coast Guard Station. We at Dockside Charters have put our thoughts and ideas together, forming the premise, that ocean charters should be a more personal experience. Be honest and caring, making safety, comfort and satisfaction of our customer’s our first priority. You will find our office relaxing and comfortable, our office staff friendly, knowledgeable and helpful, with easy access to our boats. Whether you're heading out on one of our whale watching trips or just got back from a trip, you are always welcome to stop by to relax and say hi, the coffee is always on, and free. We have built our business on satisfied, repeat customers, give us a try and you’ll see why.


We have a New Web Site that is currently under construction, I'll post the address when it's competed.


Available: March through October


Daily Trip Times
8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm, 3:30pm, 5:00pm


Rates
1hr. $25.00
1 1/2 hr. $35.00


Dockside Charters (Whales Tail)
270 Coast Guard Pl.
Depoe Bay, Oregon 97341


Phone: 541-765-2545
Toll Free: 1-800-733-8915

Whale Watching Summer 2010 on the Whales Tail

I would like to take this time to thank everybody for going whale watching on the Whales Tail and to wish all a Happy Holiday. We have made a movie with some of our favorite whale watching pictures, I hope you enjoyed your trip and will join us in the future on the Whales Tail. Hope this brings back some fond memories, enjoy.

We have a new website that is under construction, I will post the address when available.

Dockside Charters

270 Coast Guard Pl.
Depoe Bay, Oregon 97341

Phone: 541-765-2545
Toll Free: 1-800-733-8915

Gray Whale Southern Migration

The Gray Whale Southern Migration
Pregnant females are the first to migrate, followed by mature adults of both sexes and then by juveniles. Whales travel at a rate of up to three to five miles per hour during the southbound migration. It takes them about three weeks to get to Mexico.

Gray whales eat very little while migrating and while in calving areas. Many whales may go without food for three to five months.

The animals travel south to the three major breeding and calving lagoons on the west coast of Baja California, Mexico: Laguna Ojo de Libre, adjacent to Laguna San Ignacio; Guerrero Negro Lagoon and Magdalena Bay

The Whales Tail is a 26' zodiac style boat that carries up to 6 people. It was the first and original zodiac style whale watching boat on the Oregon Coast, designed specifically for Dockside Charters to give passengers the utmost in sightseeing and whale watching experiences.

One of the features the Whales Tail offers is a unique vantage point that gives you 360° viewing and puts you "up close and personal" for observing Oregon's resident gray whales as they feed along the coast of Depoe Bay. Don't be surprised if you notice the whales watching you as intently as you watch them. We try to provide you with a once in a lifetime experience that is not to be missed along with some great memories.

Dockside Charters
270 Coast Guard Pl.
Depoe Bay, Oregon 97341

Phone:541-765-2545
Toll Free:1-800-733-8915