Belugas Count! 2026

Name: Belugas Count! 2026
Start: 2026-09-13T10:00:00-08:00
End: 2026-09-13T15:00:00-08:00
Location: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

September 13 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

2026 Belugas Count!
Sunday, September 13, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Belugas Count! activities are included with regular AWCC admission.

Spot. Count. Learn. Help Protect Cook Inlet Belugas.

Celebrate Cook Inlet belugas with AWCC!

Belugas Count! is an annual celebration dedicated to the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale. Join AWCC staff, volunteers, and fellow beluga enthusiasts for whale watching, hands-on activities, educational programs, and opportunities to learn how you can help support the conservation of this incredible Alaska species.

Belugas Count! brings together members of the public to foster local pride, awareness, and stewardship of Cook Inlet beluga whales. This NOAA Fisheries-led event is a collaboration among government agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, Tribes, industry, zoos and aquariums, and individuals across the country.

AWCC is proud to be a planning partner for Belugas Count! AWCC Director of Education Lily Grbavach serves as a lead planning partner for this annual event.

Beluga Monitoring at The Point

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Grab your binoculars and keep your eyes on Cook Inlet! Join AWCC staff and Alaska Beluga Monitoring Partnership volunteers as we watch for endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales and record beluga and environmental observations that contribute to ongoing conservation efforts. Help AWCC observers keep watch on the water, spot and count belugas, and learn more about this unique and endangered population.

High Tide at AWCC: +31.25 ft. at 10:13 AM
Binoculars recommended!

Beluga Activities at the Matson Ocean Education Center

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Dive into the world of Cook Inlet belugas with AWCC Naturalists! Explore how belugas eat, communicate, identify one another, and thrive in Alaska’s cold waters. Make beluga hats, snacks, puppets, and more through hands-on, beluga-themed activities designed for wildlife enthusiasts of all ages. Fun for the whole family!

Beluga Conservation Station at the Be Wild Gift Shop

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Stop by and talk with AWCC staff about endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales, the challenges facing this unique population, ongoing recovery efforts, and ways you can contribute to their conservation.

Belugas Count! Throughout Cook Inlet

Members of the public are invited to join beluga experts from NOAA Fisheries and partner organizations at outdoor viewing stations throughout Cook Inlet.

At participating stations, you can: