Whale Festival on the Sunshine Coast takes place from August 14th through August 17th
The Sunshine Coast is set to host a four-day festival from August 14-17, 2025, celebrating the local marine life, particularly whales. The event, led by the BlueAct Marine Society, Sunshine Coast Conservation Association, and Loon Foundation, aims to bring together community members and raise awareness about the threats these marine mammals face.
The festival will feature a variety of activities promoting awareness and conservation of whales and marine life in the area. Educational and research initiatives include presentations by marine researchers, as well as conservation efforts led by these organizations. Visitors can expect opportunities to learn about whale behavior, threats to their habitat, and ongoing local marine conservation projects.
The festival will also include exhibits, community engagement activities, and possibly whale-watching excursions or immersive experiences like live whale songs integrated with cultural elements. While specific detailed programs from the three organizations are not yet available, similar regional whale festivals typically involve public education on marine ecosystems, promoting sustainable practices, and supporting ongoing research and local conservation efforts through workshops, talks, and stalls.
Gibsons will be the main hub for several events. The Gibsons Whale Fest will take place at TidePools Aquarium inside Gibsons Public Market on August 16 from 10AM - 4PM. The Wild Whales Research and Community Science Symposium will take place at Gibsons Public Market on August 15 from 5:30PM - 8 PM.
The festival will culminate with the Gibsons Whale Trail Unveiling Event at the Gibsons Landing Harbour Authority Public Wharf on August 16 from 11AM - 11:45AM.
Community members are encouraged to take part in community-based science initiatives, such as downloading the Whale Report App and reporting whale sightings.
The Sunshine Coast is a critical habitat for Southern Resident Killer Whales, and Northern Resident Killer Whales use the area for beach rubbing, particularly in the winter months.
The festival will take place on the traditional territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw and the shíshálh Nation. Funding for the Sunshine Coast Whale Festival is generously provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
In addition to the main festival, a Whales and Ales Trivia Night event will take place on August 14 at Persephone Brewing in Gibsons. The festival will extend to Madeira Park with the Sea Dome event at Tranquility Garden behind the Earthfair Store on August 17 from 1PM- 5PM.
Other marine mammals frequently seen in the Sunshine Coast include killer whales, humpback whales, harbor porpoises, and Pacific white-sided dolphins. The festival is a unique opportunity to learn, engage, and contribute to the conservation of these remarkable creatures.
The Sunshine Coast Whale Festival, taking place on August 14-17, 2025, not only focuses on celebrating marine life but also aims to educate visitors about various marine mammals, including whales, as part of a broader lifestyle commitment to home-and-garden sustainability and conservation. The festival will feature not only whale-watching excursions and educational presentations but also community engagement activities like the Whales and Ales Trivia Night and the Sea Dome event at Tranquility Garden in Madeira Park, encouraging active participation in whale conservation preserving the local habitat for creatures such as Southern Resident Killer Whales.
