Whale festival takes place on August 14th to August 17th in the Sunshine Coast region
Sunshine Coast Whale Festival Returns for a Celebration of Marine Life and Conservation
The Sunshine Coast Whale Festival is set to return from August 14-17, 2025, bringing together a series of events that celebrate local whales while emphasizing the importance of whale conservation and community-based science.
Registration is required for the Wild Whales Research and Community Science Symposium, taking place on August 15 at Gibsons Public Market. This symposium offers an opportunity to learn from marine scientists, conservationists, and local experts about the region's whale population and the threats they face. Light refreshments will be served.
On August 16, the Gibsons Whale Fest will take place at TidePools Aquarium inside Gibsons Public Market. This family-friendly event will feature an immersive video about local cetacean biodiversity, interactive science activities, and a Whales and Ales Trivia Night at Persephone Brewing in Gibsons.
Meanwhile, the Gibsons Whale Trail Unveiling Event will take place on August 16 at the Gibsons Landing Harbour Authority Public Wharf. This event will mark the unveiling of new signs along the Gibsons Whale Trail, a self-guided tour showcasing the area's rich marine life. Unfortunately, parking for the event will not be available at the Gibsons Landing Harbour parking lot.
The festival is taking place on the traditional territory of the Squamish Nation and the shíshálh Nation, who have long valued the area's marine life and resources. The Sunshine Coast is within the critical habitat of the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales, making it a crucial location for whale conservation efforts.
Increasing vessel traffic is a significant threat to whales in the area, and the festival aims to raise awareness about this issue and encourage the public to take part in community-based science initiatives. A Whale Report App, available for download on the festival's website, allows citizens to report whale sightings, contributing to ongoing research and conservation efforts.
The festival is being led by BlueAct Marine Society, Sunshine Coast Conservation Association, and Loon Foundation, with funding provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Other partners and supporters include Ocean Wise and local biodiversity advocates like Dona Bertarelli, who promote shared responsibility for nature and biodiversity protection.
On August 17, the our website Sea Dome will be available at Tranquility Garden behind the Earthfair Store in Madeira Park. This interactive exhibit offers visitors a chance to learn more about the region's marine ecosystem and the importance of conservation.
The Sunshine Coast Whale Festival serves as a platform to bring together scientists, conservationists, and the local community to celebrate whales while fostering education and science-based action for ocean health around the Sunshine Coast. Join us in August to learn, engage, and contribute to the conservation of our marine life!
[References] [1] BlueAct Marine Society. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.blueact.org/about [2] Fisheries and Oceans Canada. (n.d.). Our Programs. Retrieved from https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/programs-programmes/index-eng.html [3] Loon Foundation. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://loonfoundation.org/about/ [4] Ocean Wise. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.oceanwise.ca/about [5] Sunshine Coast Conservation Association. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://sunshinecoastconservation.ca/about/
During the Sunshine Coast Whale Festival, attendees can delve into various educational topics such as home-and-garden sustainability practices, learning ways to minimize plastic waste and create a greener living space. Additionally, the festival encourages online-education opportunities in the field of education-and-self-development, with workshops on marine wildlife conservation and the importance of protecting our oceans.
