DEPOE BAY, Ore. — Gray whales continue to surface with tail-slapping and playful spouts off Depoe Bay, captivating tourists to the Oregon Coast’s whale watching capital as the season winds down.

On a recent crisp October morning, a pod drew cheers from a packed charter boat and a nearby kayaker, their blows misting the Pacific horizon. The applause could be heard from Government Point, a state park where visitors gather to watch whales and seabirds from a prominent state wayside.

To get closer, tours from operators like Dockside Charters (541-765-2545), Tradewinds Charters (541-765-2345) or Whale Research Eco Excursions (541-912-6734,) run daily through month’s end, blending education and awe before whales head south for winter.

With over 18,000 grays passing annually and scores of local resident whales, Depoe Bay is renowned for prime whale sightings and other astonishing marine life, all set amid a rugged coast geography.