5th Annual Whalefest Monterey

January 24 & 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Old Fisherman’s Wharf

This free fun and educational, interactive family event for all ages celebrates the migration of the gray whales! The event also benefits many local and national marine organizations that educate, inspire, and empower the public to protect Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Among the highlights will be a symposium with lectures and documentaries related to ocean and marine life conservation presented at the Museum of Monterey at the Stanton Center (MoM) Auditorium and the Wharf Theatre, musical and theatrical performances with a maritime theme, and many educational displays by participating organizations. Thousands of attendees are expected again this year that range from local families and school children who want to learn more about our maritime environment to visitors from near and far who want to explore the annual whale migration. The event will also feature a science credit program for students from university level to schoolchildren.

Monterey, The Whale Watching Capital of the World^™

Whale watchers come from around the world to view hundreds of whales, orcas, dolphins and pelicans that continue 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).

Visitors to the Monterey Bay can enjoy viewing seven baleen whales that include blue whales, fin whales, sei whales, humpback whales, gray whales, minke whales and North Pacific right whales (rare). There are also eight toothed whales that include sperm whales, Baird’s beaked whales, Cuvier’s beaked whales, pygmy sperm whales, dwarf sperm whales, Stejneger’s beaked whales, Blainville’s beaked whales, and Hubb’s beaked whales.

The Monterey Bay also features 9 dolphin species including Orcas (killer whale), northern right whale dolphins, Pacific white-sided dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, short-beaked common dolphins, long-beaked common dolphins, striped dolphins, short fin pilot whales, and false killer whale (rare). There are two porpoise species including harbor porpoises and Dall’s porpoises.

There are also four Otariid Pinnipeds including Guadalupe fur seals, northern fur seals, California sea lions and northern sea lions (Steller sea lions) and two Phocid Pinnipeds, including harbor seals and northern elephant seals. (Source: Monterey Bay Marine Life Studies).

Discounted whale watching trips on the Monterey Bay will run all day from the Wharf, (weather permitting). There will also be an American Cetacean Society Benefit Whale Watching Cruise at 8:00 am on Sunday, January 25.

For more information about Whalefest Monterey, call (831) 238-0777 and check out the website at www.montereywharf.org.