"Dubbed as having the world’s smallest harbor, Depoe Bay has a unique and colorful history that has shaped the town into what it is today. This small but mighty hamlet has a lot to offer when it comes to outdoor adventures, wildlife watching, local restaurants, and of course its natural scenery. Discover the history of Depoe Bay and what makes it so unique by making this quaint part of the world your next stop along the Oregon Coast," the Whale Cove Inn says.

"Yes, we realize there are smaller harbors throughout the world, but the distinction people make is that Depoe Bay is home to the “smallest natural navigable harbor.” The harbor today covers approximately six acres, with a 50-foot wide channel opening – connecting to the Pacific Ocean. But what is claimed today as the world’s smallest harbor, used to be even smaller! Before it was expanded 56 years ago, its rocky and twisted entrance was even smaller at just 30 feet wide!

"Part of what makes the Depoe Bay Harbor so special is the historic Depoe Bay Bridge. Acting as the gateway to the “world’s smallest navigable harbor,” the bridge is an iconic landmark and is listed on the National Register of historic places."

"Depoe Bay is a city in Lincoln County, Oregon, United States, located on U.S. Route 101 on the Pacific Ocean. The population was 1,398 at the 2010 census. The bay of the same name is a 6-acre (2.4 ha) harbor that the city promotes as the world's smallest navigable harbor," the Wikipedia says.

"Depoe Bay was named for Siletz Indian Charles "Charley" Depoe (born Ki-sa Che-wes-cla) who was originally allotted the land in 1894 as part of the Dawes Act of 1887. One says he was given the name "Depot Charley" for working at the military depot near Toledo, Oregon. The family was later known as "DePoe" after his son, Robert DePoe attended the Carlisle Indian School. His original tribal affiliation was Josua/Tututni.

"As of the census of 2010, there were 1,398 people, 714 households, and 411 families living in the city. The population density was 772.4 inhabitants per square mile (298.2/km2). There were 1,158 housing units at an average density of 639.8 per square mile (247.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.9% White, 1.5% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 1.5% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.8% of the population."

"It's true, Depoe Bay is home to the world’s smallest harbor. Here are some quick fun facts about Depoe Bay and its beloved harbor:

#1 Recently, Depoe Bay was named the “Best Harbor in the U.S.” by U.S. Harbors and its followers.

#2 Small but mighty, the harbor covers only six acres.

#3 Depoe Bay features a large sea wall that spans the length of the downtown, providing visitors views of the ocean as they shop and dine. Depoe Bay is the only town along the Oregon Coast with this feature," the  Whale Cove Inn says.

"If you’ve traveled the central Oregon coast, you might remember the signs marking Depoe Bay’s claim to fame: the “World’s Smallest Harbor.” But now that harbor is getting even smaller because of accumulating silt," the Northwest Public Broadcasting says.

"Depoe Bay is home to a large charter fishing fleet. It’s also become a popular port for whale watching tours. However, the harbor does not record much in the way of commercial fish landings, nor does it handle maritime cargo, which are primary metrics the federal government weighs when allocating harbor maintenance funds.

"A Coast Guard lifesaving station on the harbor is well-positioned so its motor lifeboats can get out on any tide. But the senior officer for Coast Guard Station Depoe Bay nevertheless wrote a letter of support last month in favor of dredging."

"Depoe Bay bills itself as the smallest port in the world. Whether that is true or not, the point is well taken. The harbor is tiny and the entrance on the best of days is harrowing," the smalltownoregon.com says.

"When the surf is up a boat's captain has to time the waves just right or risk ending up on the rocks. In addition to the harbor Depoe Bay is famous for the Sea Hag Restaurant. I don't know if the owner, Gracie, is still there but it's fun to catch her playing music, spoon in hand, with glasses lined along the bar (Gracie passed about 2016).

"In any case the food is good coastal fare, the clam chowder is excellent and if you like oysters the oyster stew is great (a friend tells me)!"

"When I was young and my parents took me on a road trip down the Oregon Coast, I remember Depoe Bay as being a highlight of the journey. My father was amazed by the small port, and my mother lobbied for extra time in the stores that line US 101. So now, nearly 20 years later, I was anxiously awaiting my visit to this small town," the TakeMyTrip.com says.

"As you watch boats navigate under the 101 bridge, through a very narrow passage between two rock walls, it is quite amazing. There’s a viewing platform (where I stood to take the above picture) that allows a good view of the channel.

"You can also drive around to the backside of the tiny bay, for a different view. And that’s about it. After about a half hour, I left Depoe Bay, slightly disappointed. There wasn’t much activity in the port. I poked my head into a few stores, but most were packed with touristy junk (the made-in-China kind that I’m sure no one ever actually buys). So, I left."

"Fifteen miles from the world’s shortest river, along the Oregon Coast, lies the world’s smallest natural navigable harbor. And it used to be even smaller. Until it was expanded 45 years ago, its rocky, twisting entrance was just 30 feet wide, and at low tides the fishing boats at the docks tipped over and lay on their sides in just a few inches of water and mud.

"With roughly 1,400 residents, it’s one of the smallest hamlets on the coast, yet during the summer there are probably more tourists per square foot in Depoe Bay than in any other coastal town," the Offbeat Oregon History says.

"Depoe Bay is one of the coast’s youngest towns, having only gotten started in 1927 when the highway and bridge were built and lacking a post office until 1928. Yet until 1998 it was home to the oldest privately owned aquarium in the U.S."

"Known as the “whale watching capital of the Oregon Coast”, Depoe Bay seems to draw whales to its horizon like clockwork every March through December," the Oregon Coast Visitors Association says.

"The town anticipates those migrations, with a Whale Watch Center, shore observation decks, and charter boats for an up-close view. Depoe Bay’s harbor is noteworthy for being the smallest natural navigable harbor in the world.

"During storms and turbulent seas, the area’s distinctive geological features result in a phenomena called a “spouting horn” where, much like a whale, the sea itself spouts a massive spray of water into the air above Main Street."

"Depoe Bay is called the world's smallest harbor. The coast of Oregon is rocky, jagged, abrupt, and straight, compared to California and Washington," The Center for Land Use Interpretation says.



"Few deep natural harbors exist, and no major cities have developed on the coast."

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