“The Whale Watching Capital of the World”
Whalefest Monterey 2025
Save the date! April 12 & 13, 2025
Whalefest Monterey is a free, family-friendly event organized by a California non-profit (EIN 35-2863458). It offers a blend of education and entertainment, featuring engaging activities, live music, and numerous interactive marine exhibits and research boats. Local and national organizations participate to raise awareness about the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
15th Annual Whalefest Monterey to be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 12 and 13, 2025 on and around Old Fisherman’s Wharf and the Custom House Plaza – Monterey State Historic Park
“The Monterey Bay Whale Watching Capital of the World”
Save the date for the 15th Annual Whalefest Monterey to be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 12 and 13, 2025 from 10 am - 5 pm each day.
This "edutaining" free family friendly event will be held at and around Old Fisherman’s Wharf and the Custom House Plaza - Monterey State Historic Park. It includes fun and educational activities for all ages, musicians, and dozens of interactive marine-related interactive exhibits by numerous local and national organizations. In addition, we plan to have several research and rescue boats available for public tours.
Whalefest Monterey benefits many local and national marine organizations dedicated to explore educate, inspire, and to empower the public to protect the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS).
The always fascinating Symposium with world-renowned marine experts will be held on Sunday in the theatre at the Monterey History & Art Stanton Center, 5 Custom House Plaza. The interactive marine-themed exhibits on the Plaza will be back for both days and will have something interesting for all ages (see list below). An array of live music and engaging activities such as Gyotaku, Origami, Scrimshaw, and the “almost famous” Abalone Races and more will be available on both April 12th and 13th on Old Fisherman’s Wharf.
Be sure to check out the prior Symposium presentations from past years at www.whalefest.org and the Whalefest YouTube channel.
Whalefest Monterey will feature many educational and engaging displays from local, regional and national non-profits, including many of these past participants:
American Cetacean Society • California Coastal Commission • California Department of Fish and Wildlife • California Killer Whale Project • California State Parks • Camp SEA Lab • Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve • California Department of Fish and Game • Sustainable Monterey • Hericane Rowing / World’s Toughest Row • Hi’ilani ‘O Ke Kai OCC • Hopkins Marine Station at Stanford University • Marine Life Studies • Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) • Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust • Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) • Monterey Museum of Art • Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club • Monterey Public Library • Monterey Waterkeeper • Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History • Paul Watson Foundation • Santa Catalina Middle School • Save Our Shores • Save the Whales • Sea Otter Savvy • Seafloor Science ROV • Surfrider Foundation • U.S. Coast Guard Monterey • Ventana Wildlife Society • Western Flyer Foundation
Note: Subject to change and new exhibitors are added every year!
Whale watchers come from around the world to view hundreds of whales, orcas, otters, dolphins and pelicans who come to feast on a “krill and anchovy buffet” in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Throughout the year, this Whale Watching Capital of the World offers sightings of 15 species of whales, 10 species of dolphins, 2 species of porpoise, 6 species of pinnipeds and 1 species of Fissiped (sea otter).
Whalefest Monterey is supported by many outstanding sponsors including the Arts Council for Monterey County, thanks to support from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, the City of Monterey, Fisherman’s Wharf Association, Monterey State Historic Park, Marine Life Studies, Monterey Bay Aquarium, National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation, and numerous business sponsors.
As a free event, Whalefest relies on sponsorships and donations to bring this unique event to the public. Sponsorships are available for the 15th Annual Whalefest Monterey on April 12-13, 2025. Please contact Mary Alice Cerrito Fettis at maryalicefettis@gmail.com for more details.
About NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
Serving as the trustee for 14 national marine sanctuaries and two marine national monuments, NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary System encompasses more than 600,000 square miles of protected marine and Great Lakes waters. Few places on the planet can compete with the diversity of the system, which protects America's most iconic natural and cultural marine resources. The system works with diverse partners and stakeholders to promote responsible, sustainable ocean uses that ensure the health of our most valued ocean places. A healthy ocean is the basis for thriving recreation, tourism and commercial activities that drive coastal economies. Backed by one of the nation's strongest pieces of ocean conservation legislation, the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, sanctuaries seek to preserve the extraordinary scenic beauty, biodiversity, historical connections and economic productivity of our most precious underwater parks.
For more information go to www.montereywharf.com or www.whalefest.org or call 831-238-0777 or email whalefestmonterey@gmail.com
Enjoy live talks from marine experts at the Symposium
[NOTE: Items below from previous events, watch for updated info for 2025 posted soon]
New! Symposium held at the Stanton Center on Sunday only, April 13th, and Interactive Exhibits on Saturday and Sunday, April 12th and 13th, on Custom House Plaza.
Enjoy local musicians, accompanied by whales!
Sat & Sun 10am-5pm by Fisherman’s Wharf
Celtic Roads • Halau Hula Hi’ilani ‘O Ke Kai • David Holodiloff • HOLYSEA • Jonah and the Whalewatchers • Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band • Michael Martinez • Monterey High School Jazz Band • Nicholas Fettis and His "Orca"stra • Pacific Pop 'n' Jazz • Saxophonia • Stu Heydon • Thom Cuneo & The WharfSide Stompers • Wave Tones
A warm welcome to this year’s marine exhibitors:
American Cetacean Society • Beaver Brigade SLO • California Coastal Commission • California Department of Fish and Wildlife • California Killer Whale Project • California State Parks • Camp SEA Lab • Citizens Climate Lobby Monterey Chapter • Community Builders for Monterey County • Dolphin Project • Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve • California Department of Fish and Game • Sustainable Monterey • Hericane Rowing / World’s Toughest Row • Hi’ilani ‘O Ke Kai OCC • Hopkins Marine Station at Stanford University • Marine Life Studies • Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) • Monterey Chapter Dolphin Project • Mission Science Workshop • Monterey Bay Eco Tours • Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust • Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) • Monterey Museum of Art • Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club • Monterey Public Library • Monterey Waterkeeper • Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History • Paul Watson Foundation • O’Neill Sea Odyssey • Santa Catalina Middle School • Save Our Shores • Save the Whales • Sea Otter Savvy • Seafloor Science ROV • Sprout Up (Monda Elementary School Santa Cruz) • Surfrider Foundation • U.S. Coast Guard Monterey • Ventana Wildlife Society • Western Flyer Foundation
The 14th Annual Whalefest Monterey is set for April 13 & 14, 2024 at Old Fisherman’s Wharf and Custom House Plaza – Monterey State Historic Park.
A notable change this year includes a marine science-oriented Symposium at the Stanton Center on Sunday, April 13th, and interactive marine-themed exhibits on Custom House Plaza on Saturday, April 12th, among many other engaging activities for all ages.
The 2-day Whalefest Monterey event is held at and around Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Custom House Plaza – Monterey State Historic Park. GPS to 201 Washington Street in Monterey, CA. Whalefest Monterey features a Symposium with world-renowned marine experts at the Stanton Center, 5 Custom House Plaza, and just steps away from the Wharf.
Beyond the family-friendly activities, Whalefest Monterey carries a deeper mission. The event supports local and national marine organizations dedicated to educating, inspiring, and empowering the public to protect the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS).
About NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries: Serving as the trustee for 14 national marine sanctuaries and two marine national monuments, NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary System encompasses more than 600,000 square miles of protected marine and Great Lakes waters. Few places on the planet can compete with the diversity of the system, which protects America’s most iconic natural and cultural marine resources. The system works with diverse partners and stakeholders to promote responsible, sustainable ocean uses that ensure the health of our most valued ocean places. A healthy ocean is the basis for thriving recreation, tourism and commercial activities that drive coastal economies. Backed by one of the nation’s strongest pieces of ocean conservation legislation, the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, sanctuaries seek to preserve the extraordinary scenic beauty, biodiversity, historical connections. and economic productivity of our most precious underwater parks.
For more information, go to noaa.gov/sanctuaries, whalefest.org or call 831-238-0777.
Whalefest in the Press
Whalefest 2023 was honored with Certificates of Recognition by the State of California Senate and Assembly, represented by Senator John Laird and Assemblywoman Dawn Addis.
“ California Senator John Laird present Whalefest Monterey’s Chairperson Mary Alice Fettis with a Certificate of appreciation while Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson and a few of the Whalefest ambassadors in sea creature costumes look on. “
“Whalefest Chairperson Mary Alice Fettis shows off the certificates of appreciation from Senator Laird AND another one from Assemblywoman Dawn Addams”
“Music bands, singers and dancers provided entertainment both days.”
“Save the Whales brought “Dee”, a 43 ft inflatable model of a humpback whale” along for people of all ages to enter and examine her organs.”
“Some three dozen exhibits by non-profits offered many opportunities to learn more about the oceans in general, and Monterey Bay in particular, including all its inhabitants.”
“The Symposium provided an opportunity to learn from renowned marine science researchers about their latest projects and findings.”
“The aftermath of the almost world-famous abalone races left some people puzzled—they R-A-C-E?”
“Meanwhile kids learned how to make stencils using fish and some paint using the ancient Japanese art of Gyutaku.”
“Marine Life Studies organized a beach and street cleanup for Sunday.”
“Sunny or cloudy skies didn’t matter—Whalefest Monterey offered a rare opportunity to visit active marine research vessels.”
Credits: Photos courtesy Dot Findlater and Wendy Brickman
We need your support now more than ever. Your contribution is the catalyst that makes a difference. Thank you!
Your continued support is vital to our research, education outreach programs and conservation efforts. Whalefest Monterey is a California Non-Profit Corporation, EIN 35-2863458