Congratulations to Depoe Bay!

Beautiful Depoe Bay, Oregon. (Photos courtesy of USHarbors.com)

The tide and weather site, US Harbors, recently announced the winners of their “Best Harbor” contest — and quaint PNW harbor Depoe Bay, Oregon took the top spot.

The annual contest, which draws from an audience of over 5 million people who use US Harbors, determines the community with the most passion about where they live, boat, and fish. This year, votes were submitted for 786 different harbors on both US coasts and the Great Lakes.

Here’s what US Harbors had to say about the winning harbor:

It was a very tight and enthusiastic race to the win among a handful of harbors, but in the end Depoe Bay, Oregon took the lead. The contest is ultimately about the passion we all feel for our coastal communities, and the way they enhance our lives.

Depoe Bay is a picturesque harbor of only 6 square acres, and claims to be the “smallest navigable harbor in the world”. It is both the whale-watching capital of Oregon, and home to a working fishing community.  Their Whale Watching Center allows visitors of all-ages to see the annual whale migration– a fun and educational experience.

Depoe Bay residents enthusiastically shared their love of their community, the “Whale Watching Capital of the Oregon Coast”, by voting, emailing and messaging us on social media, in droves. Thanks to the team at DiscoverDepoeBay.org for helping to spread the word about their beautiful harbor!

In response to the question “What do you love about Depoe Bay?”, Linda B. wrote “It’s small and so friendly. It’s just so peaceful.” Heather M. responded “Everything!” and dozens of entries mentioned their appreciation for the local Coast Guard station and Whale Watching Center.