KEZI

FLORENCE, Ore. — It’s one of the biggest weeks on the Oregon Coast–and it’s happening right now. It’s Whale Watching Week.

Wildlife enthusiasts are coming from all over the country to see the gray whales on their annual southward migration to Baja, Mexico.

About 18,000 to 20,000 whales are expected to pass by the Oregon Coast.

The foggy weather made it a little hard to see Thursday, but watchers did manage to glimpse three whales.

“We’re glad that it’s not a La Nina year, it’s actually dry so it gives us a better possibility of actually spotting the whales.” said volunteer Cheryl Haskell.

“I think it will be exciting when I see one, just something I’ve always wanted to do never had a chance to and now I do so I’m here watching for the whales,” said first-time whale watcher Randall Willis.

There are 26 designated whale watching areas all over the Oregon Coast, and there are guides on hand from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily through Sunday to answer any questions.