9th Annual Whalefest Monterey

9th Annual Whalefest Monterey - Updates!

9th Annual Whalefest Monterey to be held on January 26 & 27, 2019 at Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, California

The Whale Watching Capital of the World™

December 2018. Monterey, CA. Save the Date! Monterey Old Fisherman's Wharf Association presents the 9^th Annual Whalefest Monterey™ to be held at and around Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, California, The Whale Watching Capital of the World™ on Saturday, January 26^th and Sunday, January 27^th, 2019 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

This free, fun and educational interactive family event for all ages celebrates the biodiversity of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and much more! The event, which features a 2-day Symposium with world-renowned marine experts and dozens of exhibit booths, benefits many local and national marine organizations that educate, inspire, and empower the public to protect the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Fun edutaining interactive exhibits at the upcoming 9th Annual Whalefest Monterey include over two dozen interactive marine related exhibits by numerous local organizations. Click here for details: WhalefestMonterey Exhibitors

Speakers at the 2-day Symposium during Whalefest Monterey represent The Monterey National Marine Sanctuary/NOAA, MBARI, Hopkins Marine Station, the Whale Entanglement Team and more. The Symposium will be held at the Wharf Theatre which sets up to 150 people per speaker and there will be about a dozen speakers Click here for details: Whalefest MontereySymposium Presenters

In addition, Whalefest brings the return of Dee, the 43-foot inflatable whale model people can go inside of and see its internal organs, and photo ops with costumed creatures roaming the area.

There will be four boats at the California Dock at Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf including the Fulmar (NOAA’s research ship), Current Sea (Marine Life Studies research and WET™ boat), the Coast Guard 43’ foot boat and The Pearl (Monterey Fire Boat).

Monterey Abalone Company will host Abalone Races in front of Big Fish Grill. Monterey Bay Whale Watching will host scrimshaw-making using soap. Chefs from the Wharf will conduct cooking demos in front of Abalonetti Bar and Grill. Discovery Whale Watching/J & M Fishing will host Gyutaku, the Japanese art of stenciling fish and an orca.

On the Causeway will be Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club boats, US Coast Guard 29’ foot boat, US Coast Guard Auxiliary exhibit, COASTIE, the Safety Boat, and the Science Seafloor ROV.

There will also be live musical entertainment at the head of the Wharf across from the Harbor House as well as an information and merchandise booth, with Whalefest Monterey T-shirts and aprons for donations.

There will be 8 roving Ambassadors dressed as sea creatures attended by surveyors escorting attendees from the Monterey Conference Center to Old Fisherman’s Wharf.

Weather permitting, whale watching tours, fishing, sailing and glass bottom boats will be operating from the Wharf (many at discounted rates), and Wharf restaurants will be serving lunch and dinner. Wharf shops will also be featuring marine-themed merchandise.

Special discount Hotel Rates: Stay for the weekend!

Special Whalefest Monterey discount room rates are available at some local Monterey Hotels, including the Portola Inn and Spa. Subject to availability, guests can reserve rooms for a discounted rate of $149 plus taxes per room per night January 25, 26 or 27, 2019 at this website: https://be.synxis.com/?Chain=18268&hotel=65712&arrive=1/25/2019&depart=1/28/2019&adult=2&child=0&promo=WHALEFEST

Also, there will be discount room rates at the Comfort Inn on both North Fremont and on Munras. Please call the hotel directly to arrange the discounted rate. Comfort Inn Monterey By the Sea, 1252 Munras Avenue: 831 372-2908. www.stayatmonterey.com and Comfort Inn Monterey Bay, 2050 North Fremont Street 831-373-3081 www.montereygetaway.com.

To receive an application to participate in the 9^th Annual Whalefest Monterey with an interactive marine-themed exhibit or for more information, email Antoinette Saylor at [email protected] or call (831) 649-6524.

For more information about Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf, go to www.montereywharf.com or call (831) 238-0777.

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

More details about additional exhibitors and speakers to come!