Shipwreck Point

Gray Whale Near Shipwreck Point

XXX, Juan de Fuca Byway Assn.
Orca near Shipwreck Point

XXX, courtesy Juan de Fuca Byway Assn
Looking South

The Whale Trail

Shipwreck Point is a 3-mile stretch of beach along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, approximately xxx miles west of Port Angeles, and xx mile east of Neah Bay.

The landscape of the Strait of Juan de Fuca was carved out by ice-age glaciers 13,000 years ago. The retreat of the glaciers created deep fjords which provide abundant food and habitat for many species of marine mammals.

By the mid-1900’s, commercial whaling had pushed many great whales to the edge of extinction. Through decades of conservation efforts, species like gray whales have rebounded. Others are endangered, and need our help to recover.

Where the Whales Are

Shipwreck Point is a great place to spot gray whales, and occasional passing orcas.

Local citizens and visitors to this coastline enjoy watching marine mammals all year long. Access the beach from the path near the Whale Tail sign. Look towards the kelp beds, and out across the Strait. If the water is calm, you might hear whales before you see them.

Keep an eye out for sea otters, too, especially in the kelp beds just offshore.

Once extinct in Washington, a small population of sea otters was reintroduced to nearby La Push in 1969.
Their numbers have rebounded to over 1,000, and their territories have expanded up the Strait.

Look for one or dozens of the big otters floating on their backs near the kelp.