Leaving from the California Dock at the end of Old Fisherman's Wharf!  Celebration there prior to the 3 pm departure! More details to come.

Legendary Western Flyer to Return to the Gulf of California for 85th Anniversary Expedition

Historic Journey to Honor Science, Art, and Conservation in the "Aquarium of the World"

The Western Flyer, the iconic, recently restored fishing vessel immortalized in The Log from the Sea of Cortez by John Steinbeck, is returning to the Gulf of California this spring for the first time in 85 years. This milestone voyage celebrates the Flyer's legacy while advancing marine research, education, and community engagement throughout the region.

The Western Flyer sets sail from Monterey on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at approximately 3 p.m., departing from Old Fisherman's Wharf. The send-off celebration will mark 85 years (almost to the day!) since John Steinbeck, Ed Ricketts, and their crew embarked on their own now-famous journey. Over the next three months, the Flyer will retrace its historic route, making stops along the California coast and throughout the Gulf of California—a region famously dubbed the "Aquarium of the World" by Jacques Cousteau due to its extraordinary biodiversity—before returning home in mid-June.

More Than a Throwback—A Living Legacy of Discovery

This isn't just a nostalgic retracing of history—it's an expedition with a purpose. The Western Flyer Foundation is teaming up with local scientists, educators, and conservationists to study the Gulf's rich ecosystems, exchange knowledge, and inspire new ways of seeing (and protecting) the marine world.

With public events, hands-on education, and scientific research, the expedition will engage thousands—sparking curiosity and inspiring the next generation of ocean stewards.

"The Western Flyer has always been a symbol of discovery," said Sherry Flumerfelt, Executive Director of the Western Flyer Foundation. "This expedition not only honors the legacy of Steinbeck and Ricketts but also highlights the critical work being done today to better understand and protect the Gulf of California and its thousands of important marine organisms."

Public Events: See the Flyer Along the Way!

Throughout the expedition, the Western Flyer Foundation will partner with local organizations to host and participate in a series of public events across California and Mexico, including:

• Monterey Send-Off Weekend (March 15-16): A ticketed event at the Stanton Center on Saturday, followed by a public send-off celebration at Old Fisherman's Wharf on Sunday.
• Return to the Gulf of California Welcome Celebration in La Paz (Sunday, April 13)
• Western Flyer Welcome Celebration in Santa Rosalia (Tuesday, April 22)
• Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival (Friday and Saturday, June 13-14)
• Several other stops in communities across California and Mexico, featuring boat tours, presentations, and local gatherings. Full event details and updates can be found at www.westernflyer.org/baja2025.

Follow the Western Flyer's Journey

Stay connected as the Western Flyer makes history again:

• Track the Western Flyer in real time – Where's the Flyer?
• Follow along for stories, videos, contests, and updates:
  • Email newsletter westernflyer.org/newsletter/
  • Facebook @thewesternflyer
  • Instagram @westernflyerfoundation
  • YouTube @WesternFlyerFoundationChannel

Featured in an Award-Winning Film!

Did you know? The Western Flyer was recently featured in the award-winning documentary The Western Flyer with Nick Offerman. Watch the film: www.westernflyer.org/nick-offerman-film/

Interested in Supporting This Historic Expedition?

The Western Flyer's return to the Gulf of California is more than a voyage—it's a journey of discovery, education, and collaboration. You can play a vital role in making this historic expedition possible:

• Double Your Impact - Join the $100K Matching Gift Campaign and help the Western Flyer Foundation reach $200,000 to fuel hands-on education, groundbreaking research, and vital outreach. Every dollar you give will be matched—donate today!
• Experience the Journey – Book one of the last remaining cabins aboard Uncruise Adventures' Safari Voyager and sail alongside the Western Flyer as it returns to the Gulf for the first time in 85 years. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity!

About the Western Flyer Foundation

The Western Flyer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that sparks curiosity by blending science and art, inspired by John Steinbeck, Ed Ricketts, and their 1940 journey aboard the Western Flyer. Following an award-winning restoration of this legendary vessel, the foundation provides free ocean-based education programs for students and engages scientists and communities through research and outreach. Learn more about the organization at www.westernflyer.org.

The Western Flyer Foundation is grateful for the support of its Corporate Partners, including Chris Shake Enterprises, InterContinental The Clement Monterey, and Noland, Hamerly, Etienne & Hoss, as well as in-kind supporters: Moss Landing Boatworks, Uncruise Adventures, Woodward Marine Market, and Penguin Classics. To explore Corporate Partnership opportunities, visit www.westernflyer.org/become-a-corporate-partner/.