With the ocean minutes from Depoe Bay [1]’s port, catching a salmon or seeing a whale is possible as soon as you leave the harbor. Most charter operators here offer both fishing and whale-watching excursions. Bottom-fishing trips average $70 for a five-hour run, salmon fishing (available only when salmon season is open) about $125 for a seven- or eight-hour day; whale-watching excursions run $15–25 per person per hour.
Dockside Charters (541/765-2545 or 800/733-8915, www.docksidedepoebay.com [2]) offers 1.5-hour whale-watching trips aboard its 50-foot excursion boat for $20 per adult and one-hour trips on Zodiacs for $25 per adult.
Tradewinds Charters (541/765-2345 or 800/445-8730, www.tradewindscharters.com [3]) hosts one- and two-hour trips December–May. Rates run $18–30 per adult on its fleet of 30–52-foot boats and 18-foot Zodiac. A 12-hour tuna charter costs $225.
If you’re itching to actually get into the water and catch a few waves, the beach at Otter Rock, a few miles south of Depoe Bay [1], is a good place to surf. Park in the Devil’s Punchbowl lot and walk down to the beach, which is relatively protected and has a large area where beginners tend to hang out. (There’s also a section that gets bigger waves and better surfers.)
Stop by Otter Rock Surf Shop (104 NE U.S. 101, 541/765-2776) for rental equipment or lessons.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/central-coast/depoe-bay
[2] http://www.docksidedepoebay.com
[3] http://www.tradewindscharters.com