Depoe Bay to Whale Cove - L3 - T2653

Full Name:: Nick Marshall

Narrative:: On this paddle, we will explore the Depoe Bay area and hopefully see some whales.
We will meet at 8:45am and launch at 9:15am from the Depoe Bay Public Boat Ramp. We will be off the water by 1:30pm at the latest.

This is an L3 Paddle, Participants should be comfortable entering and exiting a surf zone.

We will start by paddling to the north side of Depoe Bay, where there are some interesting rock features and beaches. We will explore this area for about an hour. Next, we will paddle south 2.5 miles to Whale Cove, where we will stop for an early lunch. The beach in Whale Cove is only publicly accessible by kayak (the stairs to the beach lead to private property). After lunch, we will explore Whale Cove before paddling 2.5 miles back to Depoe Bay.

Total distance: about 6 miles

Participants should be comfortable in choppy water and mild surf.

Required equipment: Immersion Protection, Helmet, VHF Radio (fully charged)

"Local practice requires vessels to make a broadcast on VHF channel 80 indicating their intention prior to leaving or entering the bay. The Coast Guard Station monitors VHF FM Channel 80."
https://www.cityofdepoebay.org/harbor/page/crossing-depoe-bay-bar

Suggested equipment: camera

Other details

1) There is a $10 launch fee

2) There is often a bar restriction at Depoe Bay
https://www.weather.gov/pqr/allbars
Based on the current forecast, I think there will be no restriction, but the forecast could change

3) If there is a bar restriction, then the backup plan is to launch from Fogarty Creek Beach

4) There is a small afternoon tidal exchange, which is ideal
https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions.html?id=9435827&units=standard&bdate=20260809&edate=20260809&timezone=LST/LDT&clock=12hour&datum=MLLW&interval=hilo&action=dailychart

5) WillyWeather Forecast
https://www.willyweather.com/graphs.html?graph=outlook:1,location:111187,series=order:0,id:sunrisesunset,type:forecast,series=order:1,id:swell-height,type:forecast,series=order:2,id:tides,type:forecast,series=order:3,id:wind,type:forecast,series=order:4,id:swell-period,type:forecast

6) NOAA Marine Forecast
https://marine.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=44.810&lon=-124.100

7) Surf Forecast
https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Boiler-Bay/forecasts/latest/six_day

Meeting Time:: 8:45:00 AM
Launch Time:: 9:15:00 AM
Type of activity:: Paddle Trip
Put in::https://maps.app.goo.gl/SyR6QLsMMpHSSfJ4A
Take out::https://maps.app.goo.gl/SyR6QLsMMpHSSfJ4A
Route Alternative for bad weather:: Launch from Fogarty Creek Beach
Required equipment:: Helmet
Minimum Immersion protection:: Farmer John
Primary Organizer:: Nick Marshall
Co-Organizer(s):: Steve Blackwood
Has organizer paddled here before?: Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before?: Yes
Organizer's first aid and CPR current?: Yes
First Aid /CPR Person::
Maximum number of paddlers:: 10
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy:: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature:: 65
Estimated Water Temperature:: 55
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch):: 4 hours
Tide times & heights:: 2026/08/09 Sun 04:05 AM -1.08 L
2026/08/09 Sun 10:58 AM 5.89 H
2026/08/09 Sun 3:36 PM 3.64 L
2026/08/09 Sun 9:41 PM 8.72 H
Current information::
Hazards::
Wind strength:: Level 3: 12-16 knots (19 mph)
Waves, Swell, Breaking Waves: Level 4: Waves up 6', Breaking Waves up to 4'
Sea state:: Level 3: Waves to paddle tops; numerous whitecaps, waves becoming longer
Landing types:: Level 3: Bad footing, rocky shores, or surf up to 1.5'
Currents:: Level 1: None or mild (less than 1 knot)
Total distance:: Level 1: Up to 6 miles
Open crossing:: Level 3: 1 to 2 miles
Paddling Environment::
Overall rating:: Level 3
Rating Comments::
Location::https://maps.app.goo.gl/SyR6QLsMMpHSSfJ4A
Photos (Optional)::
COVID-19 Status of Trip:: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station::https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions.html?id=9435827&units=standard&bdate=20260809&edate=20260809&timezone=LST/LDT&clock=12hour&datum=MLLW&interval=hilo&action=dailychart

Link to map of route (Optional):
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