Courtesy photo.
A Weekend Honoring Whales, Dolphins, and Ocean Conservation
VENTURA — The Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area (SBCWHA) proudly announces its 2nd Annual Whale of a Celebration, a community event dedicated to honoring the whales, dolphins, and diverse marine life that make the Santa Barbara Channel so extraordinary. This year’s festivities will take place in Ventura, California, on Friday, November 21, and Sunday, November 23, 2025.
The weekend kicks off on Friday, November 21 from 6:30–9:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel with Whales, Ales & Cocktails—an evening of ocean-inspired films and guest speakers, celebrating the beauty and importance of the Santa Barbara Channel as one of only eleven recognized Whale Heritage Areas in the world.
Attendees will enjoy opportunities to connect with local marine conservation organizations and responsible tour operators, meet whale researchers and educators, enjoy the premiere of a new film by wildlife filmmaker and media director of SBCWHA, Adam Ernster, and toast to ocean stewardship.
Speakers Include:
- Alisa Schulman-Janiger– Lead Biologist with CA Killer Whale Project
- Jonathan M. Hoffman, Ph.D.- Dibblee Curator of Earth Science at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
- Kevin Campion– Founder, Save the North Pacific Right Whale
- Local Marine Conservation Organizations including– CA Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Blue Whales Blue Skies, Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, Ventura Land Trust, Sea Center/Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, Channel Islands Cetacean Research Unit, Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, and Naturalist Corp Volunteers with Channel Islands National Park and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
On Sunday, November 23 from 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., the celebration continues with a Wildlife Cruise aboard Island Packers, departing from Ventura Harbor. Participants will explore the rich marine biodiversity of the Channel Islands National Park and the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary alongside expert naturalists and whale biologists, with the chance to encounter whales, dolphins, and seabirds in their natural habitat.
“This Whale of a Celebration is such a special opportunity for our Ventura community to come together and honor the incredible whales and dolphins that share our coastline. At Rincon Brewery, we’re inspired every day by the ocean, just steps from our doors, and this event reminds us how connected we all are to the health and beauty of the Santa Barbara Channel.”
— Luisa Hyatt, Co-Director, Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area, and Owner, Rincon Brewery
“Funds raised from our 2nd Annual Whale of a Celebration will help us get more local students, both in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, out on the water, where they can experience the wonder of whales and dolphins firsthand. When young people have that emotional connection to the ocean, it inspires a lifelong sense of stewardship for the incredible marine wildlife that calls the Santa Barbara Channel home. This event is a joyful reminder of why protecting the Santa Barbara Channel is vital- for wildlife, for people, and for future generations.”
— Holly Lohuis, Co-Director, Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area, and Local Naturalist & Marine Biologist
The Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area promotes responsible whale watching, marine education, and sustainable coastal tourism. We recognize that protecting whales in not only essential for the health of the marine ecosystems but also for the well-being of our communities.
Tickets and additional event details are available at www.sbwhaleheritage.org
About the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area
Designated in partnership with the World Cetacean Alliance and the World Animal Protection, the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area recognizes the region’s exceptional commitment to marine conservation, education, and sustainable tourism, with the goal of uniting coastal communities, researchers, educators, and ocean advocates together to protect the whales and dolphins that grace Southern California’s coastal waters. The SBCWHA is one of only eleven Whale Heritage Areas in the world. This special designation highlights how people around the world are working together to safeguard whales and their ocean habitats for future generations.