“Whale Watching” Adventure!
This year, during Right Whale Week, we are adding a new activity! A “Whale Watching” Adventure!
October 30 – November 8, 2026
This adventure will take you from business to business around town, following clues to find each stop. At each stop, you’ll find a whale. With each whale, there will be a letter! (And a small prize!). The letters you find will spell out a phrase. Figure out the phrase. Stop at the Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors booth at the Right Whale Festival to tell us the phrase. (Make sure you come to the AIWA booth, and not the Right Whale Festival booth, sometimes that gets confused!). The first three people to tell us the phrase will get the biggest prize. And the first 50 will get something smaller, too!
There will be 23 stops. Why 23? Last North Atlantic right whale calving season, there were 23 mother/calf pairs spotted! Each stop will have a piece of artwork by a local Fernandina Beach high school student, inspired by one of the whales!
Every stop will be found in one of our Right Whale Week partner locations!
What is Right Whale Week?
Celebrate the return of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whales to their winter calving grounds, right here off Amelia Island!
The Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors are partnering with local businesses for Right Whale Week 2026 to help promote awareness of the return of our precious whales. 2026 is our fourth year celebrating Right Whale Week! We hope to spark conversations about why the whales visit our waters and how we can help to keep them safe while they nurture their newborns!
Look for “the sign of the whale” in windows of local businesses to see who is participating! Check inside to find fun things like: whale themed merchandise, a food or drink special named for the whales, displays with information about the whales, whale inspired events, or a whale of a sale! Support the businesses who support our whales!
Click here to learn more about Right Whale Week!
*****The Clues (written by Robin Pullen)*****
🐳 1. Three little letters mark the spot,
But what could they reveal?
A whale is waiting here for you—
Go find it! That’s the deal!
🐳 2. A whale has quite a mighty spine,
From flukes up to its head,
Find one where they straighten backs,
And keep you out of bed!
🐳 3. On wood and boards, creative hands
Make treasures bright and new,
A crafty whale is hiding here,
Just waiting to meet you!
🐳 4. A jazzy tune, a shade of blue,
A rhythm strong and true,
A whale can sing beneath the waves—
Perhaps it’s singing too!
🐳 5. Old-time treasures, bits of past,
With stories left to tell,
A whale has found some history—
Now search these shelves as well!
🐳 6. A name that hints of bones and things,
But here’s a whale-sized clue:
A right whale has no teeth at all—
Can you find one? It’s up to you!
🐳 7. Where island flavors fill the air,
And hungry guests unite,
A whale has found a place to dine—
Now find it if you might!
🐳 8. Ancient treasures from the sea,
And secrets buried deep,
A whale has joined the fossil finds,
What history does it keep?
🐳 9. Where tasty dishes fill the plates,
And friends sit down to dine,
A whale is waiting somewhere near,
Perhaps it’s next in line!
🐳 10. A cup of tea, a coastal breeze,
A lovely place to stay,
A whale prefers the salty sea,
But stopped for tea today!
🐳 11. Round and sweet with frosting bright,
A tasty little treat,
A whale has found a donut shop,
But donuts whales don’t eat!
🐳 12. Among the cards and island art,
And gifts both big and small,
A whale is waiting just for you,
The greatest gift of all!
🐳 13. Look where island fashions hang,
In colors bright and clean,
A whale is hiding somewhere here,
Among the shades of green!
🐳 14. Climb into a world of tales,
Where stories come alive,
A whale is hiding on the shelves,
Go searching and you’ll thrive!
🐳 15. A little French, a little flair,
With treasures to explore,
A whale has found a stylish spot,
Go peek inside the store!
🐳 16. Where hands get busy making art,
And creativity runs free,
A whale is hiding in the fun—
Just waiting there for thee!
🐳 17. Steam is rising, buns are filled,
On Second Street you’ll go—
Find the whale where bao is served,
Then onward with the show!
🐳 18. Fairy tales and nursery rhymes,
Stories waiting to be told,
Find a whale among the books,
Where adventures all unfold!
🐳 19. Hooks and lines and fishing gear,
The ocean calls your name,
A whale won’t bite upon your hook,
But find one just the same!
🐳 20. Brushes, colors, paint galore,
Let your imagination sail,
Among the art and crafty fun,
You’ll find a painted whale!
🐳 21. Surfboards, sunshine, salty seas,
The waves are rolling high,
A whale has joined the surfing crowd—
Go find that ocean guy!
🐳 22. Ride the waves and catch the breeze,
Where surfers love to play,
A whale has drifted into town,
And stopped to spend the day!
🐳 23. Salty air and ocean spray,
Where beach days never fail,
Living that sweet coastal life,
You’ll find a salty whale!
🐳 THE FINAL WHALE MESSAGE
You’ve found the whales, all twenty-three,
From island shops to salty sea!
Now spread the word, both far and wide—
Help keep right whales safe outside!
*****The Phrase*****
The Mother/Calf Pairs of the 2025-26 Season
Click here to meet each mother/calf pair from last season.
- Champagne #3904
- Millipede #3520
- Callosity Back #3760
- Bocce #3860
- Squilla #3720
- Cascade #3157
- Harmonia #3101
- Tripelago #2614
- Echo #2642
- Bermuda #3780
- Uca #3390
- Mantis #1620
- Juno #1612
- Binary #3010
- Boomerang #2503
- Skittle #3260
- #3593
- #4610
- Magic #1243
- Giza #3020
- Slalom #1245
- Ghost #1515
- Mirror #4617
Meet Us at the Right Whale Festival
Remember to meet us at the Right Whale Festival to tell us the phrase and claim your prize! Our booth is the Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors.
The Right Whale Festival is November 7, 2026 from 10am-6pm and November 8, 2026 from 10am-3pm at Main Beach Park on Amelia Island.
The Right Whale Festival is hosted by Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute and NOAA Fisheries, in partnership with the Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors, a local nonprofit organization. The Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors organize Right Whale Week, as a way to raise awareness about North Atlantic right whales and encourage participation in the Right Whale Festival as an opportunity to learn more about this critically endangered species.
The Right Whale Festival celebrates the annual return of endangered North Atlantic right whales to the warm coastal waters off northeast Florida and Georgia, where they give birth to and nurse their young. With less than 380 remaining, this family fun event raises awareness of the threats to right whales and how we can help in their recovery. The festival highlights efforts to protect these whales from extinction, as well as ocean-themed activities and exhibits that emphasize education and environmentally responsible adventures and products. Free Admission – Come early and spend the day!
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