Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint, Coastal observation point in Depoe Bay, United States.
Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint is a coastal overlook along Highway 101 in Oregon, where rocky basalt formations extend out into the ocean. Several observation platforms give visitors a direct view of the waves and the open shoreline.
The bay was first called Brigg's Landing after a settler family. On May 18, 1910, the 175-foot schooner J. Marhoffer caught fire and ran aground there; its fuel tanks exploded and debris landed up to a mile inland. The engine boiler remains in the bay and is visible at extreme low tides.
During winter months, visitors gather here to watch gray whales moving along the coast on their yearly migration. Volunteer whale watchers sometimes stand at the overlooks to help people spot the animals.
The viewpoint sits right off Highway 101 and is easy to reach by car, with parking available on site. A visit is possible at any hour of daylight, though calm weather gives the clearest view out to sea.
The waters around the bay attract albatrosses and shearwaters, seabirds that are rarely spotted along most stretches of the coast. Birdwatchers travel here on purpose to see these species, making it a known stop on the Oregon birding circuit.
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