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Big Sur
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Pacific Grove
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- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
- Point Pinos Lighthouse
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Monterey
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Parks
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- Andrew Molera State Park
- Cachagua Community Park
- El Estero Park
- Elkhorn Slough
- Fort Ord National Monument
- Fremont Peak State Park
- Garland Ranch Regional Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Laguna Seca Recreation Area
- Lake San Antonio
- Limekiln State Park
- Locke-Paddon Community Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Pinnacles National Park
- Point Lobos State Reserve
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Royal Oaks Park
- Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
- San Lorenzo Park
- Toro Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
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Beaches
- Undiscovered Beaches
- Asilomar State Beach
- Big Sur Beaches
- Carmel Beach
- Carmel River State Beach
- Fort Ord Dunes State Park
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Marina State Beach
- Monterey Beaches
- Monterey State Beach
- Moss Landing State Beach
- Pebble Beach Beaches
- Salinas River State Beach
- Zmudowski State Beach
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Events
- This Weekend
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Sporting Events
- Monterey Car Week & Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
- Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey (INDYCAR)
- California International Airshow Salinas
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Spartan Race
- MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest
- California Rodeo Salinas
- Sports Car Championship
- Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach
- TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational
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Destinations
-
Monterey
- Hotels
- Things to Do
- Monterey County on a Budget
- Itinerary: Midweek Monterey Getaway
- Monterey Beaches
- Cannery Row
- Old Fisherman's Wharf
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Historic Monterey
- Monterey Wine Tasting Rooms
- Monterey State Beach
- El Estero Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
- Guided Tours
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Travel Like a Monterey Expert
-
Big Sur
- Travel Like a Big Sur Expert
- Hotels
- Camping & Hiking
- Big Sur Beaches
- Arts & Culture
- Bixby Bridge
- Big Sur Itinerary
- Big Sur Live Webcam
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- McWay Falls
- Limekiln State Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Restaurants
- Spas
- Pebble Beach
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
-
Pacific Grove
- Hotels
- 48 Hours in Pacific Grove
- Good Old Days Festival
- Feast of Lanterns
- Butterfly Parade
- Asilomar State Beach
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
- Point Pinos Lighthouse
- Things to Do
- Restaurants
- Travel Like a Pacific Grove Expert
- Carmel Valley
- Marina
- Seaside
- Salinas
- Moss Landing
- Sand City
- Castroville
- Spreckels
- South County
-
Monterey
- Lodging
-
Things to Do
- Top Ways to Grab Life by the Moments
- Free Things to Do in Monterey County
- Attractions
-
Itineraries
- Now is the Moment Itineraries
- Highlights Itinerary
- Outdoors Itinerary
- Family Itinerary
- Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary
- Golf Itinerary
- History and Heritage Itinerary
- Road Trip Itinerary
- Romantic Itinerary
- Shopping Itinerary
- Spa Itineraries
- Steinbeck Itinerary
- Wine and Dine Itinerary
- Three Days in Monterey Wine Country
- Outdoor Activities
- Animals and Wildlife
-
Parks
- Top 10 Campsites
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Cachagua Community Park
- El Estero Park
- Elkhorn Slough
- Fort Ord National Monument
- Fremont Peak State Park
- Garland Ranch Regional Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Laguna Seca Recreation Area
- Lake San Antonio
- Limekiln State Park
- Locke-Paddon Community Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Pinnacles National Park
- Point Lobos State Reserve
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Royal Oaks Park
- Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
- San Lorenzo Park
- Toro Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
-
Beaches
- Undiscovered Beaches
- Asilomar State Beach
- Big Sur Beaches
- Carmel Beach
- Carmel River State Beach
- Fort Ord Dunes State Park
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Marina State Beach
- Monterey Beaches
- Monterey State Beach
- Moss Landing State Beach
- Pebble Beach Beaches
- Salinas River State Beach
- Zmudowski State Beach
- Arts and Culture
- Family Adventures
- Golf
- Guided Tours
- Literary Sites
- Romance
- Shopping
- Spas
- Nightlife and Entertainment
- Historic Attractions
-
Events
- This Weekend
- Annual Events
- Music Festivals
-
Sporting Events
- Monterey Car Week & Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
- Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey (INDYCAR)
- California International Airshow Salinas
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Spartan Race
- MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest
- California Rodeo Salinas
- Sports Car Championship
- Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach
- TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational
- Food & Drink Events
- Art Festivals
- Community Events
- Holiday Events
- Submit an Event
- Food & Drink
- Resources
Whalefest Monterey
- Phone (831) 238-0777
Details
- Location: Old Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, Monterey, CA
- Phone: (831) 238-0777
- Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
-
Description:
The 14th Annual Whalefest Monterey is set for April 13 and 14, 2024 at Old Fisherman’s Wharf and the 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.
At a Glance:
What: 14th Annual Whalefest Monterey and Symposium
Where: 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.
When: Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14, 2024, from 10 am – 5 pm
Why: 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)
More Information:
Whalefest Monterey is an "edutaining" free family friendly event that includes fun and educational activities for all ages, musicians, and dozens of fascinating marine-related interactive exhibits by numerous local and national organizations. In addition, there will be several research and rescue boats available for public tours.
The event supports marine organizations dedicated to educating the public about the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS).
New this year: The Symposium with marine research and environment conscious experts will move to the Stanton Center on Sunday, April 14th. We welcome Dan Haifley from the Board of Directors for the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation and former Director of the Sea Odyssey of Santa Cruz as our MC for the Symposium. Interactive marine-themed exhibits will be available on Saturday, April 13th. Live music and activities like Gyotaku, Scrimshaw, and the “almost famous” Abalone Races will be featured on both April 13th and 14th on Old Fisherman’s Wharf.
According to Mary Alice Cerrito Fettis, Director of Whalefest Monterey, "We are excited to provide attendees with the opportunity to delve into all the exhibits on Saturday and subsequently engage in the Symposium on Sunday this year! This ensures that participants can experience the full spectrum of the event, all while enjoying the exceptional live music by local musicians and participating in special activities on both days."
Whalefest Monterey isn't just an event; it's an immersive experience for families. Dive into a sea of knowledge with educational activities catering to all ages. Enjoy the fun of an array of live music and dance. Explore marine-related interactive exhibits presented by both local and national organizations. Take an up-close look at research and rescue boats, open for public tours, creating an engaging atmosphere for all attendees for both days. Learn cutting-edge information from a variety of marine experts.
Check out the prior Symposium presentations from 2023 and earlier at Whalefest.org and on the Whalefest YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=whalefest+monterey
Interactive Marine-themed Displays (Saturday, April 13th):
Whalefest Monterey will feature many educational and engaging interactive displays from local, regional and national non-profits. Here is a partial list as of January 2024 with more to come:
American Cetacean Society
Bamboo Reef Dive Center - new
Beaver Brigade SLO – new
California Coastal Commission
California Killer Whale Project
California State Parks
Camp SEA Lab
Citizens Climate Lobby Monterey Chapter
Dolphin Project - new
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
Girl Scouts CA Central Coast – new
Hi'Ilani O Ke Kei OCC
Marine Life Studies
Marine Mammal Center
MBARI - new
Monterey Bay Eco Tours - new
Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary MBNMS
Monterey Museum of Art - new
Monterey Public Library
Monterey Waterkeeper
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Paul Watson Foundation - new
Protect Monterey Bay
O'Neill Sea Odyssey
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.)
Search & Research Vessels for Tours
Current’ Sea
Fulmar
Western Flyer
(Subject to change.)
Live Entertainment (More to come.)
Celtic Roads
Hālau Hula Hi’ilani ‘O Ke KaiDavid 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
Support:
Whalefest Monterey is supported annually by many outstanding sponsors including the Arts Council for Monterey County, thanks to support from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors; Fisherman’s Wharf Association, Monterey State Historic Park, Marine Life Studies, National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation, Save the Whales, and numerous business sponsors including Monterey County Bank, Nicora Law Offices, Pebble Beach Company, Bay Federal Credit Union, Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Wecker Group.
Media sponsors include KSBW TV Action News 8, Central Coast ABC, Estrella TV Costa Central, Coast Weekly, Foolish Times, Monterey Bay Parent, KMBY, KAZU, Monterey Herald and the Shagbag Radio Show.
A variety of sponsorships are available to help support the costs of holding this community event. Please contact Mary Alice Cerrito Fettis at maryalicefettis@gmail.com for more details.
Whale Watching:
Whale watchers come from around the world to view hundreds of whales, orcas, 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). Whale watching trips are available (for a fee), weather permitting, from four whale watching organizations on the Wharf.
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 info@montereywharf.com
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