Right Whale Festival

05/19/2026

We are beyond excited to announce the winner of this year’s Right Whale Festival Design Contest....Congratulations to the incredibly talented Sammy Dormio (Wild Planet Creations) ! 🎨👏

Sammy’s breathtaking artwork captured the spirit of the festival, and we can’t wait to feature her design as this year’s official festival poster.

Want a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process?
Check out Sammy’s amazing vlog documenting how she painted and prepared her submission for our Call to Artists. You won’t want to miss it! 🎥✨

Thank you so much for watching! I hope you enjoyed seeing my North Atlantic Right Whale painting process from start to finish as well as all of the little Ea...

05/12/2026

🐋 Come visit the Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors booth at the Wild Amelia Nature Festival!

Learn all about the critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, meet our team, and grab some fun whale swag! 🌊💙

We’re also participating in the Kids Nature Activity Passport Program, so bring the whole family for a fun day of nature, learning, and adventure!

See you at Wild Amelia! 🐳🌿

05/06/2026

EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION for the 2026 Right Whale Festival is now OPEN!

The festival will be held on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, 2026 at Main Beach Park on Amelia Island, Florida.

The Right Whale Festival features exhibitors focused on the ocean, nature, science, water recreation, education, conservation or the environment. We also welcome exhibitors selling unique gifts, fine art, photography, and crafts related to this theme.

Exhibitors can register online at: https://rightwhalefestival.com/get-involved

Exhibitor registration will remain open until October 1, 2026 or until all exhibtor spaces are filled.

04/21/2026

Call to Artists!!! Deadline: Monday, April 27, 2026

There is still time to submit your artwork....we invite artists of all ages and skill levels to submit their designs for this year’s official Right Whale Festival poster. This is your chance to showcase your creativity while supporting the conservation of North Atlantic right whales.

Details & Submission Info: https://rightwhalefestival.com/call-to-artists

Each year, we’re inspired by the incredible talent and creativity from our community, and we can’t wait to see what you create this year!

Please share this opportunity with your favorite artists, designers, and students. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just love to draw, we encourage you to join in.

Let your art make a difference! Good luck!

04/15/2026

North Atlantic right whales need our voices right now.

Join us on Tuesday, April 29 at 7:00 PM EST for a webinar with Whale and Dolphin Conservation North America on the Vessel Speed Rule and why it matters.

This common-sense rule helps protect critically endangered right whales by requiring larger vessels to slow down in areas where whales are expected. NOAA’s own science found it can reduce the risk of deadly strikes by up to 90%.

Now those protections are at risk.

Register for the webinar and learn how to speak up during the public comment period:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gnyzVxg5TfGMo52WQatArg

Take action here:
https://us.whales.org/policy/save-the-vessel-speed-rule/

04/14/2026

04/03/2026

Join us for the Right Whale Baby Shower next Wednesday, April 8, 2026 from 5:00-7:00pm at the in Fernandina Beach!

We will be celebrating the 23 calves born this season to North Atlantic right whale mothers!

We can’t wait to see you there!

03/30/2026

Planning for the 2026 Right Whale Festival is officially underway—and we couldn’t be more excited to bring you another fun-filled celebration!

But we need your help. If you attended the festival, please complete our survey. Your feedback helps us improve the experience and better understand what you’re learning!

RIGHT WHALE FESTIVAL SURVEY: https://bit.ly/3LTGaah

03/21/2026

It's official: the number of North Atlantic right whale calves born this season is the highest in 17 years!

On March 14, 2026, an aerial survey team from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission saw right whale 4617 and her new calf approximately a quarter mile off Crescent Beach, Florida. She is 10 years old and this is her first known calf. She was last seen on February 12, without a calf, making this baby a month old or less. This new baby marks the 23rd calf this season, the highest number since 2009!

Learn more about this newest addition:https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/endangered-species-conservation/north-atlantic-right-whale-calving-season-2026

Photo: North Atlantic right whale 4617 and her first known calf swimming approximately a quarter mile off Crescent Beach, Florida. Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, taken under NOAA permit 26919. Aerial survey funded by the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and NOAA Fisheries.

03/19/2026