November 7 to 9, 2025, Sitka will become a gathering place for ocean lovers from around the world. Hosted by the Sitka Sound Science Center at 834 Lincoln Street, the festival celebrates its 29th year with a powerful theme: “Entwined,” a reminder that the ocean, the land, and the people who live between them are deeply connected.
What to Expect at Sitka WhaleFest 2025
For three days, Sitka transforms into a living classroom where science feels alive
You’ll walk into open symposium halls, chat with researchers over coffee, and even cruise through whale-rich waters all while soaking in the small-town charm that makes Sitka unforgettable.
Since its founding in 1997, Sitka WhaleFest has grown into one of Alaska’s most beloved marine science festivals, blending research, culture, and hands-on exploration.
Free and Open to the Public? Yes!
One of the best things about WhaleFest is that the Science Symposium is completely free no registration required.
Across three days, nine guest speakers will share groundbreaking research and inspiring stories about marine life, ocean conservation, and Alaska’s interconnected ecosystems.
Friday, November 7
- 12:45 p.m. Opening Remarks
- Michelle Johannsen: Through Many Lenses: Community-Based Science in Alaska
- Chloe Kotik: Killer Whales and Killer Contaminants
- Dawn Khaa x wáan Jackson: Restoration & Healing: Past, Present, Future for Kee x
Saturday, November 8
- Kim Raum-Suryan: Lose the Loop: 25 Years of Pinniped Entanglement Research
- Taylor White: Ways of Knowing Sea Otters, Abalone, and Community Connections
- Hannah Myers: Keeping Killer Whales Out of Trawl Nets Science and Fisheries Unite
Sunday, November 9
- Kristina Tirman: Marine Debris Cleanup: A Messy Way to Make Meaningful Connections
- Ed Lyman: Unraveling Large Whale Entanglements
- David Kanosh Yooḵis’kooḵéik: Our Knowledge Entwined Upon the Land and Sea
Every talk invites you to think differently about the ocean and your place in it.
Hands-On Experiences and Activities
WhaleFest is more than talks; it’s an invitation to dive into Alaska’s marine world. Whether you’re cruising Sitka Sound or sketching whales in an art class, there’s something for every kind of ocean lover.
Activity Schedule and Pricing
| Event | Date/Time | Price & Details |
| WhaleFest Run | Nov 8, 9–10 a.m. | $5 individual, $20 family (5+), $25 includes Sitka Sound Science Center merchandise |
| Marine Trivia Night | Nov 8, 7–9 p.m. | $20 per person (18+ only; under 21 must be with an adult) |
| Marine Mammal Necropsy Workshop | Nov 9, 8:30–11:30 a.m. | Adults only, limited space, $95 |
| Scientific Illustration Classes | Nov 8–9, 9–11:30 a.m. | $50 per session |
| Marine Wildlife Cruise (Sitka Sound) | Nov 8–9, 8:30–11:30 a.m. | $70 adults, $35 children (12 and under) |
| Kayaking to Kaasda Héen | Date TBA | $80 per ticket, limited space; bring raingear and boots |
🕐 Early bird discounts ended August 15, 2025, so most ticketed experiences now operate at regular pricing.
Meanwhile, the core symposium, student art show, and maritime marketplace remain free and open to everyone, no passes required.
Marketplace and Community Hub
If you love small-town festivals with heart, you’ll enjoy browsing the WhaleFest Marketplace, a blend of science, art, and storytelling.
Open Hours:
- Friday, Nov 7: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov 8: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov 9: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
With 20+ local vendors, you’ll find everything from ocean-inspired crafts to conservation exhibits, along with hands-on learning stations for families. It’s the perfect place to shop, learn, and connect.
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How WhaleFest Grew Into a Global Marine Event?
It’s hard to imagine that this world-class festival started as a small local gathering in 1997.
Since joining the Sitka Sound Science Center in 2012, WhaleFest has become an annual highlight for scientists and travelers alike.
In 2019, the Science Center recorded 14,500 visitors from May to September, a sign of Sitka’s growing reputation as Alaska’s coastal learning hub.
Even during the 2021 virtual edition, 27 students from Alaska’s RASOR program joined online.
Meanwhile, the Scientist in the Schools initiative has reached 1,601 students through 1,644 hours of direct learning, connecting classrooms with the ocean in unforgettable ways.
Why This Year’s Theme “Entwined” Matters?
If you live in Alaska, you already understand how everything here is connected: the forests, tides, people, and creatures that share the coastline.
This year’s theme, “Entwined,” celebrates those relationships. It’s about how the choices we make ripple outward, touching communities, species, and oceans across the globe.
As one speaker put it beautifully:
“In Sitka, the sea and land don’t compete; they complete each other.”
And that’s exactly what you’ll experience during this festival.
Also Read About: Alaska Bald Eagle Festival 2025: A Celebration of Nature and Numbers in Haines, Alaska
Why You’ll Love Sitka WhaleFest 2025
When you arrive in Sitka for WhaleFest, you’re not just attending an event; you’re becoming part of a story.
You’ll learn, laugh, explore, and leave with a deeper appreciation for how Alaska’s ocean shapes everything around it. You might spot a whale’s tail slicing through the water at dawn. You might meet a marine biologist who’s been studying orcas for 20 years.
And by the end of it all, you’ll feel exactly what “Entwined” really means.
