Whalefest Monterey

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Whalefest Monterey Whalefest Monterey is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2024. EIN 35-2863458. Presentations are posted on Whalefest Monterey’s YouTube Channel.

Whalefest April 10 & 11, 2027
🐋Free community event: Marine | Art | Science | History
🐋Inspiring, educating, and empowering the public to protect and explore our Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Whalefest Monterey is an annual two-day free event on Old Fisherman’s Wharf and Custom House Plaza that draws from science, art and history to inspire, educate, and promote awareness of whales and the importance of marine ecosystems among attendees of all ages. It features exhibits from dozens of local and national non-profit organizations related to marine science, sustainability of land and sea, and the environment. Over the years, Whalefest Monterey has received national and international coverage from the media. The event is highly respected by marine scientists and thousands of attendees who want to learn about and protect our oceans. All activities and programs are financed through grants, sponsorships and individual donations, and produced by a small army of dedicated volunteers. We thank you for considering supporting our Whalefest Monterey program, which each year includes the following:

THE SYMPOSIUM:
Whalefest Monterey features a Symposium where world-renowned scientists share their latest marine science research with the general public. Symposium speakers also cover other topics, such as the history of the local fishing culture. ART, HISTORY & MUSIC ACTIVIES:
Whalefest Monterey includes demonstrations of the ancient Japanese art of Gyotaku (a traditional method of printing images of fish), whale origami, and the Portuguese whalers’ art of scrimshaw, all of which played an important role in Monterey history. In addition, there are local history walks and the “world famous” abalone races. We usually have several research and Coast Guard vessels on display, and some are open for tours. The event also features an outstanding array of live music and dance; most notable is the “Orca-stra” which combines original music by Nicholas Fettis on keyboards with locally recorded humpback whale songs – a true meeting of art and science!

The ocean gives us beautiful organic beach art and waves of music. Come learn more about Monterey Bay at Whalefest on A...
10/17/2026

The ocean gives us beautiful organic beach art and waves of music.

Come learn more about Monterey Bay at Whalefest on April 10 & 11, 2027.

📍Del Monte Beach, Monterey Bay
{📸 N Asaro|

10/11/2026

The Beauty of the Ocean is remarkable. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is like no other. Come learn more at Whalefest Monterey in April 2027

Have you seen all the Seaweed? Seaweed and kelp washing up on Monterey beaches this week is a natural seasonal occurren...
10/10/2026

Have you seen all the Seaweed? Seaweed and kelp washing up on Monterey beaches this week is a natural seasonal occurrence.

Each fall, shifting ocean conditions along the California coast bring visible changes to our shoreline. Right now, several major oceanographic events involving seaweed are happening simultaneously in Monterey — a reminder of how dynamic and interconnected our coastal ecosystem truly is.

Interesting fun fact: A massive planetary-scale "Kelvin wave" driven by a strong El Niño season has reached our California coast. This subsurface phenomenon expands warmer water and temporarily raises background sea levels by 6 to 12 inches across the region - WOW!

📍 Del Monte Beach / Seaside State Beach.

{📸 N Asaro}

Join the Surfrider Foundation Monterey Chapter on Saturday, Oct 10th, at the Laguna Grande Park Cleanup. {Source: City ...
10/10/2026

Join the Surfrider Foundation Monterey Chapter on Saturday, Oct 10th, at the Laguna Grande Park Cleanup.

{Source: City of Monterey Newsletter}

Our very own Whalefest 2027 music director, Arthur Wu, is taking the stage at Colton Hall on October 10th, joined by the...
10/07/2026

Our very own Whalefest 2027 music director, Arthur Wu, is taking the stage at Colton Hall on October 10th, joined by the incredible Michael Martinez, for an enchanting evening of music. It’s going to be magical. Don’t miss it. 🎼🎙️🎶

🐳 California tops U.S. in whale entanglements, NOAA report finds. Check out this reporting on KSBW and an interview wit...
10/07/2026

🐳 California tops U.S. in whale entanglements, NOAA report finds. Check out this reporting on KSBW and an interview with Geoff from Oceana, who was one of this year's Whalefest Symposium speakers and moderated a panel discussion that brought together leaders in the crab industry. If you came to Whalefest this year, Ocean had a display on the new whale safe crab pots. 🐳

NOAA Fisheries reported 76 confirmed whale entanglements across the U.S. in 2025, with California leading the nation and scientists urging the use of new fishing technology to reduce risks.

10/07/2026

Historic Boat Tours at Old Fisherman’s Wharf! Join us Sunday, October 11th during the 181st Wharf Birthday Party for a special opportunity to see the General Pershing historic boat! The General Pershing will be on site from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the California Dock, to the left of Rockfish Harbor Grill. Come celebrate the Wharf’s 181st birthday and also enjoy a fascinating piece of Monterey’s maritime history!
🎉 Sunday, October 11th
⚓ 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
📍 California Dock at Old Fisherman's Wharf


Our very own Whalefest's Volunteer Coordinator Extraordinaire, Dot Findlater - Casting Director of Rosemary and Thyme Hi...
10/07/2026

Our very own Whalefest's Volunteer Coordinator Extraordinaire, Dot Findlater - Casting Director of Rosemary and Thyme High Teas. We adore Dot!

Ready for a fancy and proper cup of tea - reach out to Dot. 🫖💙🍵

Fancy a proper cup of tea? ☕️
Join me for an afternoon of good tea, lovely company, and all the little things that make afternoon tea such a treat.
I’ll be serving our traditional afternoon tea with dainty finger sandwiches, sweet treats, freshly baked scones with strawberry jam and Devonshire cream, and, of course, lashings of our Special Gold Blend Tea.
Come thirsty, bring someone you enjoy spending time with, and leave the rushing about to us. I’ll put the kettle on. 🫖
A Proper Autumn Tea
Sunday, October 18, 2026
3:00–4:30 PM
Casa Serrano
412 Pacific Street, Monterey
Sunday street parking is free
$90 per person — gratuity included
Traditional scones and mini cranberry scones will also be available to take home, if there are any left!
Reserve your place:
www.rosemaryandthymehighteas.com/event-store/p/a-proper-autumn-tea
See you for tea,
Dot 🌿

10/07/2026

Address

PO Box 903
Monterey, CA
93942

Telephone

(831) 238-0777

Website

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