Photo Credit PacWhale Eco-Adventures

Celebrating Whales: World Whale Day 2025

Let’s Celebrate World Whale Day 2025! The Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) emerged from one man’s fascination with North Pacific humpback whales. When Greg Kaufman started the organization 45 years ago on Maui, he couldn’t have imagined how his vision would grow into a cornerstone of marine conservation, supported by science and powered by community action.

Through the years, the foundation’s crowning achievement has been the Maui Whale Festival, a month-long February celebration marking the annual migration of humpback whales. The festivities peak on World Whale Day, observed globally on the third Sunday of February. Despite recent setbacks from both COVID-19 and the devastating 2023 Maui fires, PWF’s mission to protect these gentle giants remains unwavering.

The Heart of Community Action

Local involvement drives PWF’s success. Residents and visitors alike participate in vital activities from the Great Whale Count to coastal cleanups and land restoration of Maui’s āina. Award-winning filmmaker Selket Kaufman has captured these efforts in compelling documentaries that inspire new generations of whale advocates.

Pic Credit: SeaMaui

From Local Roots to Global Impact

What started as a small gathering in Maui back in 1980 has evolved into World Whale Day, an international celebration of all whale species. Today’s Maui Whale Festival brings the community together through vibrant parades, music, and hands-on learning about marine conservation.

Guardians of Ocean Health

These magnificent creatures do more than inspire awe – they’re essential to healthy oceans. As they migrate, feed, and dive, whales help maintain the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. However, they face mounting challenges from pollution and climate change, while many species still haven’t recovered from historical hunting practices.

Taking Action Today

Everyone can contribute to whale conservation this World Whale Day:

• Share your knowledge about whales’ ecological importance through social media with #WorldWhaleDay
• Make conscious choices to reduce plastic waste in your daily life
• Support marine conservation groups through donations or volunteer work
• Expand your understanding of marine conservation and share what you learn with others

Our commitment to protecting whales must extend beyond a single day of celebration. Whether you call Maui home or live thousands of miles from the nearest ocean, your actions can help ensure these remarkable creatures thrive for generations to come.

We make use of affiliate relationships with merchants for monetization. This means when you click on the Book Now button and make a booking, a commission may be credited to this site at no additional cost to our guests. Thank you for supporting our site.