Right Whale Festival 2025

It is officially fall and with each passing day, the amount of sunlight decreases until the arrival of next spring. This change signals the natural world in the northern hemisphere to prepare for winter. For the endangered North Atlantic right whales, this means it is time for expectant mothers to swim south to the warm coastal waters off northeast Florida and Georgia. Here, right whales will give birth to and nurse their young just off our coastline throughout the winter. To celebrate this historic annual event, the Right Whale Festival will be held Nov. 1-2 at Main Beach Park on Amelia Island.

There are approximately 370 remaining North Atlantic right whales. The Right Whale Festival aims to raise awareness of the threats to right whales and how we can help in their recovery. The theme of the 2025 Right Whale Festival is "Untangling the Truth." Organizers are aiming to unravel the truth and debunk common myths surrounding right whale behavior, habitat, and conservation. They are committed to sharing accurate information about these majestic creatures, as well as highlighting meaningful ways to protect them.

According to festival organizer Cheryl Munday with Clearwater Marine Aquarium, one of the common misconceptions that people have about whales is that they can swallow a human. Baleen whales cannot swallow anything larger than a grapefruit. Other myths include the idea that fishermen and mariners are the only ones who can protect whales from extinction. This is also not true, according to Munday. We all can play a role in protecting North Atlantic rights from extinction.

Renowned veterinary scientist and right whale expert from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Dr. Michael Moore, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Right Whale Festival lecture luncheon. Moore is also the author of “We Are All Whalers” and he will explore the critical question: Who is responsible for saving right whales? He’ll be joined by Barb Zoodsma, a retired NOAA biologist and long-time advocate for right whale protection, as they work to untangle the facts from fiction. Tickets are $25 and include a brown bag lunch with a sandwich, chips, fruit, water and coffee. Spots are limited, so register now to be part of this important and engaging event. Tickets are on sale online through Oct. 21.

Other activities are planned to celebrate the return of right whales to our region. Whale supporters can participate in a beach clean-up or take a cruise along the Amelia River. There will be a whale themed pet parade hosted by The Humane Society of Nassau County, Nassau County Animal Services and Tails of the Trail. Also, there will be a free movie in the park on festival grounds following the first day of the festival. "In The Whale" is the account of a man who survived to tell the tale of being “swallowed” by a whale. Check The Right Whale Festival online for the full schedule of events.

The Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors will be hosting right whale events designed for island residents to learn more about the return of the right whales to our coastal waters this season. Local businesses will display a “sign of the whale” in their windows. Residents will find whale-themed drinks, merchandise, and information about whales at each participating business.

Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors will also be hosting “Right Whale Sighting Training” on Nov. 3, 2025 6-8 p.m. This event will take place at the Courtyard by Marriott Amelia Island 2700-1 Atlantic Avenue. Julie Albert with the Right Whale Sighting Network, Blue World Research Institute, will lead this informative 1.5-hour class to learn how to spot and report right whales from shore. There are no costs or reservations required for this event.

During the 2024-2025 calving season there were 11 new mother and calf pairs observed. While this was fewer calves than hoped for, there were a few bright spots: this year’s group included four first-time mothers. And, there were also no known mortalities of calves, compared to five of the 20 calves born last year in the 2023-2024 season.

Over the years, many mother and calf pairs have been sighted just off the beaches of Amelia Island. One quick and easy way to see if North Atlantic right whales are near our shores is to use the interactive map found at Whalemap online. If a whale is listed close to Amelia Island, grab your binoculars and head to the beach. My favorite Amelia Island whale observation locations are Burney Park at American Beach, Main Beach Park, and North Beach Park.

I welcome the arrival of fall and I especially welcome the arrival of the North Atlantic right whale mothers to our shores. Do not miss all the family fun activities planned for this special time of year. See you at the festival!