Whale Fest 2026 Events

Photo: Jodi Frediani

Join Us in March and April for special events and exhibits
celebrating Whale Fest and the Gray Whale Migration Challenge.

Full Listing of Events and Activities

  • Open Daily from 11 am – 3 pm

    Extended hours March 14, 15, 21 & 22 (10 am – 4 pm)

    Crow’s Nest Interpretive Center
    Noyo Headlands South Trail

    Free

    Visit our headlands facility to view marine mammal exhibits, in addition to the tidepool aquarium, and a deck from which to watch for passing whales.

  • Researcher Diane Alps joins us to kick off the Gray Whale Migration Challenge speaker series.

    Zoom program with watch party option at the Noyo Center Marine Field Station in Noyo Harbor.

    Information and Zoom Registration

  • Researcher Alisa Schulman-Janiger joins us for Part 2 of the Gray Whale Migration Challenge speaker series.

    Zoom program and watch party option at the Noyo Center Marine Field Station in Noyo Harbor.

    Information and Zoom Registration

  • Guided Whale Walk

    March 14, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 PM

    Noyo Headlands Coastal Trail
    South Headlands Parking Lot Trailhead
    End of West Cypress St. in Fort Bragg
    Google Map

    Join the Noyo Center for Marine Science for a Whale Walk, an easy, family-friendly coastal walk of approximately 1.6 miles round-trip along the Noyo Headlands Coastal Trail. During the walk, participants will learn about gray whale migration, including how to spot whales from shore, what researchers study along the migration route, and why these coastal waters are important to gray whales.

    More Information

  • Whale Watching with Noyo Center Naturalists
    Sunday, March 15, 2026
    $50 per person
    For reservations contact Anchor Charters by phone:
    707-964-4550
    More Information

    Hop aboard the Kraken for a whale watching excursion with Noyo Center Naturalists, and stay for an optional behind the scenes Bone Room Tour with members of our collections team at the Noyo Center Marine Field Station.

  • Educational Tours for Schools: Blubber, Baleen & Bones at the Noyo Center Marine Field Station in Noyo Harbor.
    March 16–20 by RESERVATION
    Cost is $150 per tour (Scholarships are available; Contact Reesha Katcher at reesha@noyocenter.org to find out more.

    The Field Station will host an intensive week of hands-on marine science tours designed for school groups and youth programs. One-and-a-half-hour tours for school groups will be offered 3–4 times daily (9–10:30, 10:45–12:15, 12:30–2, and 2:15–3:45).

    Each tour includes a guided visit to the bone room, a blubber glove activity to explore insulation and adaptation, an interactive whale migration activity, and short boat rides on the river, weather permitting. Programs will be led by the Noyo Center education team with support from trained volunteers and interns.

  • Book Signing:
    Wild Monterey Bay
    with Author and Photographer Jodi Frediani

    Saturday, March 21, 2026
    12:00–3:00 PM
    Discovery Center
    338 N. Main St. in Fort Bragg

    Join us for a special Wild Monterey Bay book signing with Jodi Frediani at the Discovery Center.

  • Noyo Center Talks Science

    The Magic of Monterey Bay
    March 21, 2026 

    Guest Presenter: Jodi Frediani 
    Part 3: Whale Migration Challenge speaker series.

    Social Hour 5–6 PM • Talk 6–6:45 PM + Q&A
    This presentation will also be on ZOOM

    Noyo Center Marine Field Station
    32430 N. Harbor Dr. in Fort Bragg

    Information and Zoom Registration

  • Whales on Wheels: Bike Ride Info

    Sunday, March 22 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

    Noyo Headlands Coastal Trail
    South Headlands Parking Lot Trailhead
    End of West Cypress St. in Fort Bragg
    Google Map

    Suggested donation: $10

    Join the Noyo Center for Marine Science for Whales on Wheels, an 12-mile out-and-back, family-friendly bike ride along the coastal trail from Noyo Headlands to the MacKerricher State Park Visitor Center and back. The ride will be led by Noyo Center volunteer naturalists who will share insights about whale migration, local marine life, and what’s happening offshore and at the Noyo Center this year.

  • Guided Whale Walk

    March 22, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 PM

    Noyo Headlands Coastal Trail
    South Headlands Parking Lot Trailhead
    End of West Cypress St. in Fort Bragg
    Google Map

    Join the Noyo Center for Marine Science for a Whale Walk, an easy, family-friendly coastal walk of approximately 1.6 miles round-trip along the Noyo Headlands Coastal Trail. During the walk, participants will learn about gray whale migration, including how to spot whales from shore, what researchers study along the migration route, and why these coastal waters are important to gray whales.

    More Information

  • Crow’s Nest Interpretive Center, Noyo Headlands South Trail

    Sunday, March 22
    10 am – 2 pm
    Free
    More information

    Join Scott and Tree Mercer, founders of Mendonoma Whale and Seal Study, for gray whale counting from the deck of the Crow’s Nest and learn more about their important research.

  • Ocean Acoustics with Jeff Jacobsen

    Sunday, March 22, 2026
    1:00 – 4:00 pm

    Whale acoustics expert Jeff Jacobsen will share recordings of humpback songs from excursions off the Mendocino Coast.

    More Information

    Location: Discovery Center Museum - 338 N. Main Street, Fort Bragg

  • Get Down with the Locals (and the Locals Who Study Them)
    A Community Cetacean Lovers’ Social

    LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM

    Thursday, March 26, 2026
    5–7 PM
    Noyo Center Marine Field Station
    32430 N. Harbor Dr. in Fort Bragg

    $10 donation requested

  • Whale Tails: Meet & Make Info

    Saturday, March 28 • 12–4 PM
    Discovery Center
    338 N. Main St. in Fort Bragg

    $10–$25 per print (materials included)

    Drop in for a hands-on art and science experience celebrating local humpback whales. Learn how scientists identify individual whales by their flukes and why every humpback tail is unique, then create your own whale fluke print to take home.

  • Location: Crow’s Nest Interpretive Center
    Noyo Headlands Trail: MORE INFORMATION
    Saturday, April 11, 2026
    7-8:30 AM
    Free to attend

    Tribal members, whale scientists, local ocean lovers, and whale enthusiasts gather to greet and thank the whales for being our neighbors, and to recommit to being good neighbors and stewards of our shared environment. This gathering welcomes the whales as they return along our coast from their breeding grounds in Mexico.

  • Saturday, April 11, 2026
    12–3 PM
    Xa Kako Dile / Fortunate Farms
    15401 CA-1, Caspar, CA 95420
    MORE INFORMATION

    Free (Donations and pot luck contributions appreciated; bring your own plate, bowl and silverware)

    Join us at Xa Kako Dile to welcome the return of the whales and celebrate the community that comes together to understand and protect them. This shared community potluck honors the cultural diversity of our region—bring a dish that reflects your heritage or a place you love.

    During the gathering, connect with neighbors, and learn more about our whale-themed programs, collaborations and ongoing work.

    Co-hosted by Noyo Center for Marine Science, Indigenous Community Initiatives, Xa Kako Dile, Noyo High School and Flockworks.

Your support helps with the costs associated with these events.
Please consider a donation today.

Full Calendar of Events