Sitka WhaleFest

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Sitka WhaleFest Sitka WhaleFest is a festival to celebrate marine life through science education, community and storytelling!

Sitka WhaleFest raises awareness, educates, and creates enthusiasm for the marine environment. Our goal is to bring a deeper understanding of the marine environment to a diverse and inclusive audience in a way that all participants feel welcome and engaged. Through a community-based festival we celebrate the marine world and our connection to it. We seek to convey that science is not just for scientists; it is a part of our everyday lives. The core of the festival, is a unique science symposium for all that blends local knowledge and scientific inquiry of our oceans. Surrounded by community and cultural activities, the weekend events include science presentations, marine wildlife cruises in beautiful Sitka Sound, a marine-themed artisan market, music, local foods, art show, interactive student sessions, and a fun run/walk. Come to Sitka WhaleFest and celebrate this unique tradition with our community!

đŸ›¶Kayaking to Kaasda HĂ©en 🌊Enjoy a small group paddle along the shore of Sitka National Historical Park down to the mouth...
10/12/2026

đŸ›¶Kayaking to Kaasda HĂ©en 🌊

Enjoy a small group paddle along the shore of Sitka National Historical Park down to the mouth of Kaasda HĂ©en (Indian River). You will spot marine wildlife, learn paddling techniques, and talk about the cultural, ecological, and geomorphic history of the shoreline and river mouth.

Life jackets and safety equipment will be provided. Raingear and rubber boots required

Friday, Nov 6th, 8:30 am to 11:30 am at the Science Center Mill Building

Purchase tickets at SitkaWhaleFest.org

Brush up on your illustration skills at WhaleFestDust off your pen and paper and get ready to stretch your artistic and ...
10/06/2026

Brush up on your illustration skills at WhaleFest

Dust off your pen and paper and get ready to stretch your artistic and scientific observation skills!
What will you see when you lean in a little closer? Explore the world of scientific illustration and discover how important it is when learning about something new.

* Norm Campbell, a highly skilled local artist will take you through the basics of rendering an object on paper.

At the end of the class you will have a new set of skills in observing the natural world with both your artistic and scientific future endeavors.

Two separate classes | Space is limited
* $50 per person, all supplies provided

Saturday, Nov 7th, 9:00 am to 11:30 am
Sunday, Nov 8th, 9:00 am to 11:30 am

Purchase tickets at SitkaWhaleFest.org

10/03/2026

Are you looking to get involved with this year’s Sitka WhaleFest?

Join us to learn about all the amazing volunteer opportunities and where your skills fit in. There are many ways to help and be a part of WhaleFest’s 30th anniversary.

Join us Thursday, October 8th, 5:30 pm at the Sitka Sound Science Center to learn more.

09/30/2026

🐋 Speaker Spotlight 🐋

   1:00 to 1:45 pm | Flip Nicklin | “Among Giants: A (photographer’s) life with whales” – My story of photographing whales and whale or researchers for National Geographic Magazine. An improbable 50 year life with whales.

Get your tickets at SitkaWhaleFest.org

Snorkel & Sauna tickets are live!Explore the eelgrass beds as a snorkeler in the cool waters of the eastern channel of S...
09/24/2026

Snorkel & Sauna tickets are live!

Explore the eelgrass beds as a snorkeler in the cool waters of the eastern channel of Sitka Sound.  Participants will be fitted completely with wetsuits and other gear needed for this experience.  Follow this bracing activity with coffee and pastries and a sauna!

Space is limited, get your tickets at SitkaWhaleFest.org

Thursday, Nov 5th, 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the Science Center Mill Building

09/03/2026

Hannah Myers, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She focuses on reducing incidental human-caused mortality of marine mammals and on basic ecological research to inform conservation and management. In Alaska, her work includes a collaborative project with the Amendment 80 trawl fleet in the Bering Sea to understand killer whale behavior around trawl vessels and modify nets to reduce killer whale bycatch risk; as well as co-leading a long-term killer whale monitoring program in Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords, where she focuses on bioacoustics. She teaches marine policy at UAF.

08/25/2026

We’re so excited to welcome Ed Lyman to our 30th WhaleFest.

Join us in learning more about his work on marine mammal entanglement in the Pacific.

Sitka WhaleFest tickets are live now.
Visit SitkaWhaleFest.org to get yours today.

07/09/2026

The 30th Annual Sitka WhaleFest will be
November 5th – 9th, 2026

This year’s theme is Generations of Giants: 30 Years of Whales, Wisdom, and What Follows.

Join us to celebrate three decades of Sitka WhaleFest, the people that shaped it, and the next generation.

Check SitkaWhaleFest.org for tickets and updates as we get closer.

Address

834 Lincoln Street
Sitka, AK
99835

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