The Sunshine Coast Whale Festival is on August 14th – August 17th
Join Ocean Wise, BlueAct Marine Society, the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association and the Loon Foundation to celebrate the whales of the Sunshine Coast!
This August, join the Sunshine Coast Whale Festival to celebrate whale biodiversity and learn more about research and conservation initiatives underway in the region to help protect these incredible marine mammals.
Led by Ocean Wise, BlueAct Marine Society, the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association and the Loon Foundation, the festival will see events for all ages taking place in Gibsons and Madeira Park all weekend long from August 14th – 17th.
The Sunshine Coast is within critical habitat of the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales, and is frequented by killer whales, humpback whales, harbour porpoises, and Pacific white-sided dolphins. Northern Resident Killer Whales use the area for beach rubbing, particularly in the winter months! However, there are also threats to whales in the area, including increasing vessel traffic. The festival aims to celebrate whales and bring together community, while also raising awareness to these threats and encouraging the public to take part in community-based science initiatives to help protect whales (including downloading the Ocean Wise Whale Report App and reporting whale sightings).
See event schedule below and on ocean.org.
August 14 | 6PM – 8:30 PM | Whales and Ales Trivia Night at Persephone Brewing
1053 Stewart Rd, Gibsons
Test your sea smarts at our ocean-themed trivia night. From deep-sea mysteries to whale songs and watery wonders, it’s a splash of fun. Plus, win fin-tastic prizes!
August 15 | 5:30PM – 8 PM | Wild Whales Research and Community Science Symposium at Gibsons Public Market
473 Gower Point Rd, Gibsons
Take a deep dive into the world of whales with leading whale experts for an inspiring evening of ocean science, storytelling, and discovery at Gibsons Public Market. Light refreshments will be served. Register here.
August 16 | 11AM – 11:45AM | The Gibsons Whale Trail Unveiling Event, at the Gibsons Landing Harbour Authority Public Wharf
611 School Road, Gibsons
Join us for the unveiling of the Gibsons Whale Trail Sign at the Gibsons Public Wharf! Gibsons Harbour is the newest location to be added to the Whale Trail, a network of over 100 sites to view marine mammals from shore. Featuring a welcome from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and a short introduction from Whale Trail founder and Author of Orca Rescue! The True Story of an Orphaned Orca Named Springer Donna Sandstrom. Please note there will be no parking at the Harbour parking lot; attendees must park up on the road or walk over to the event.
August 16 | 10AM – 4PM | Gibsons Whale Fest at TidePools Aquarium inside Gibsons Public Market
473 Gower Point Rd, Gibsons
Visit the Ocean Wise Sea Dome! Dive into the underwater world of whales in an immersive video featuring humpback whales, sperm whales, dolphins and more. Learn about local cetacean biodiversity and highlighting the research efforts and citizen science initiatives currently underway in the area to help protect and recover these iconic animals. Meet the locals at Tidepools Aquarium, with free admission from 10am-4pm sponsored by BC Ferries.
August 17 | 1PM– 5PM | Ocean Wise Sea Dome
Tranquility Garden behind the Earthfair Store, 12902 Madeira Park Rd., Madeira Park
Visit the Ocean Wise Sea Dome! Dive into the underwater world of whales in an immersive video featuring humpback whales, sperm whales, dolphins and more.
Funding for the Sunshine Coast Whale Festival is generously provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
These events take place on the traditional territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw and the shíshálh Nation.
Posted July 31, 2025 by Rosemary Newton
