Do you want to learn how?
Seeing one of the largest creatures on earth offshore is an incredible experience. But half of the joy of whale watching is sharing it with others. Through the Oregon Whale Watch program, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) places trained volunteers at overlooks along the Oregon coast to assist visitors in spotting gray whales during their two major annual migrations in the winter and spring. You could be one of them, helping people to see whales for the first time.
Annual Volunteer Whale Watch Registration for Winter 2026 and Spring 2027 is now open
The window for Volunteer registration for both Winter and Spring will be from 10/7/2026 to 12/1/2026. Spring Registration will reopen 1/1/2027 through 3/1/2027
This year our annual registration program has been moved to a new platform called Get Connected. As you go through the registration process the annual requirements to be completed are the Volunteer Service Agreement, Oregon State Discrimination and Harassment module, and a background check. Please keep in mind that the background check can take up to 1-2 weeks to be completed. Upon completion of these requirements, you will then be able to sign up for a Whale Watch location.
If you are interested in registering for the Oregon Whale Watch Program, please click here and create an account .
To assist in the registration process we have a step-by-step Volunteer Guide to navigate getting signed up.
If you need assistance with the registration process or have any questions, please contact us by email at Whale.watching@oprd.oregon.gov
Or by phone, please call 541-888-3778 Ext. 221