The event is cosponsored by BLUE Oceans Film Festival & Conservation Summit, as well as Monterey Academy of Oceanographic Sciences (MAOS).

The idea of a Whalefest began more than a decade ago as a multi-week festival in Monterey, involving a collaboration of 16 different cultural, arts and marine conservation institutions in the area.

In 2011, Whalefest Monterey was rejuvenated as a one-day event that was timed to hit the midwinter migration of gray whales as they pass Monterey Bay on their way to breeding lagoons in Baja California, Mexico.

The event was met with great community success as far as raising funds for marine nonprofits that do work in the Monterey Bay area, as well as raising community awareness for ocean conservation issues.

For more information on the festival and activities

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January to April is the best time period with April providing the peak whale watching period.

This is a 19 day cruise sailing through the South Atlantic Ocean. The trip includes a visit to the Falkland Islands and the remote island of South Georgia. Humpback whales are encountered in the waters surrounding the Shetland Islands.

The Antarctic Peninsula offers dramatic scenery and is home to Fin, Sei, Humpback, Minke Whales, Orcas, and Hourglass, Peale’s and Commerson’s Dolphins.

La Gomera has a licensed whale watching boat which takes you to spot Pilot whales and the rare Beaked whales, and at times Finback, Sei- or Sperm whales are also encountered.

The Portuguese Azorean archipelago (just a 2 hour flight from the mainland) is a key European location for whale watching, with a variety of whales and dolphins: one can observe Humpback, Sei, Fin and Blue Whales, as well as Short Finned Pilot Whales and Sperm Whales.  The best time is May and June when the whales migrate to their summer feeding grounds.

The Isle of Mull lies in the Inner Hebrides, the rugged West coast of Britain. In summer it’s the Minke Whale that is enjoyed in these waters, but there’s also harbour porpoises, dolphins, seals, basking sharks, sunfish, and a variety of seabirds.  Responsible Travel offer a variety of cruises, starting with a weekend explorer tour (3 days).  Boat trips run from Tobermory, on Mull’s north coast.

Day cruises are also offered.

Although one can observe Humpback Whales all along the Ecuadorian Coast from June to September the Province of Manabi is considered the best. The whales pass by on their migration from Antarctica towards warm waters.

The five most important points on the Coast to see the humpback whales are: Salinas, Súa, Bahía de Caráquez, Puerto Cayo and Puerto López.

Humpback Whale watching tours are bundled with trips / excursions to“Isla de La Plata”, considered a cheaper alternative to a Galapagos Islands cruise. Isla de la Plata is situated only 17 miles off the coast and is part of Ecuador’s Machalilla National Park.

Most tours leave the Port of Lopez at 8:30 AM and return at 6:00 PM – typically in small vessels with a capacity of up to 16 passengers.

More expensive to get to are the famous Galapagos Islands, where the whales species include the Brydes whales, pilot whale, Minke whale, blue whale and Cuviers whale who traverse the complete island range although Fernandina and Isabela Islands are considered the best viewing spots.

An excellent website where more information can be obtained is www.thebestofecuador.com