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We are thrilled to share that Luisa Hyatt is stepping in as the new Interim Co-Director of the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area. Luisa is an ocean woman through and through. With her husband Mark, she has spent decades building deep connections to the Santa Barbara Channel and its community. Together, they brought Paddle…

It is with deep gratitude and admiration that we share the news of Hiroko Benko’s resignation as Co-Director of the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area. For the past four years, Hiroko has poured her heart, wisdom, and energy into helping our community achieve something truly remarkable: the global designation of the Santa Barbara Channel…

A recent publication entitled “Blue whales are going eerily silent—and scientists say it’s a warning sign”, gave insight into the mysterious lives of blue whales, and how warm water years like 2014’s “The Blob,” may affect their behavioral patterns and appearances. Overview & Findings Scientists have been using a long-term hydrophone system—essentially an underwater microphone…

IF YOU SEE AN ENTANGLED WHALE OR MARINE MAMMAL, PLEASE CALL THE NOAA DISENTANGLEMENT HOTLINE AT 877-SOS-WHALE (877-767-9425) The public should report all sightings of entangled marine mammals so trained and authorized responders can safely respond. Equal parts heart-wrenching and hopeful, Island Packers’ first summer whale watching excursion aboard Island Explorer on June 19, 2025 turned…

The Santa Barbara Channel is one of the most biologically rich and ecologically significant marine environments in the world. Designated as a Whale Heritage Area in 2023, this vibrant stretch of ocean is home to diverse marine wildlife, including many species of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, and seabirds. While books, documentaries, and classroom…

Understanding Their Decline and the Role of Science in Their Survival Each January, Eastern Pacific gray whales are welcomed seasonal visitors, migrating down the coast of North America from their summer feeding grounds in the Arctic to their winter breeding/birthing grounds along the coast of Baja Mexico. After a month or two in the warmer…

A  New Film Co-Sponsored by SBCWHA  Is Screening Feb 6th & 7th at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Battle of the Blues is a 25-minute narrative film that highlights the population of Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) that reside off the US west coast, specifically in Southern California. As the largest animal the world has…

January 2025 We are thrilled to celebrate an incredible milestone: the designation of the Santa Barbara Channel as the 9th Whale Heritage Area in the world! This prestigious recognition, awarded by the World Cetacean Alliance and World Animal Protection, underscores our region’s commitment to sustainable tourism, marine conservation, and the deep cultural connection we share…

Killer Whale Sightings Featuring California’s Famous Orca, Frosty January 2025 Every so often whale watching in the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area (SBCWHA) presents a moment so extraordinary that it stays with you forever. Such has been the case over the past month for four different whale watching companies and hundreds of enthusiastic whale…

December 2024 This past month, we gathered to celebrate a monumental milestone: the One-Year Anniversary of the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area. The sold-out event, “A Whale of a Celebration,” was an overwhelming success, and it’s all thanks to you—our passionate supporters: donors, sponsors, in-kind donors, dedicated volunteers, and enthusiastic community members…..Thank You! The…

October 15, 2024 Happywhale engages citizen scientists to identify individual marine mammals, for fun and for science. This is a vital platform for cataloging whale sightings but also more importantly, fosters a global community committed to whale conservation. The significance of Happywhale lies not just in its innovative technology, but in its role as a…

Humpback whales (Megaptera Novaengliae) are a species of large baleen whale that can be found in all of the world’s oceans. These incredible whales breed in warm tropical waters and migrate to cold nutrient-rich waters to feed. Showing up in the spring months here in the Santa Barbara Channel, these whales will remain here until…