“The Whale Watching Capital of the World”
Whalefest Monterey 2024
Save the date! April 13 & 14, 2024
Whalefest Monterey is an “edutaining” zero-cost, family-friendly event under Marine Life Studies 501(c)3, which includes fun activities, musicians, and dozens of interactive marine exhibits (and research boats) hosted by local and national organizations dedicated to educating the public about the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS).
Enjoy live talks from marine experts at the Symposium
New! Symposium held at the Stanton Center on Sunday only, April 14th, and Interactive Exhibits on Saturday only, April 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 14th, and interactive marine-themed exhibits on Custom House Plaza on Saturday, April 13th, 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 is an event under Marine Life Studies, a nonprofit 501(c)3.