Whale Tales 2017, the 11th annual Whale Trust Maui Event and Expo, runs Feb. 24-27 at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. Ocean activities start Feb. 20. PHOTO BY FLIP NICKLIN/MINDEN PICTURES. NMFS PERMIT #753.

WEST MAUI – The international whale research organization Whale Trust Maui invites the public to the 11th annual Whale Tales event at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua.

Over four days, renowned scientists, photographers, filmmakers and conservationists will come together for presentations, whale watches, two films, a live auction and an education/art expo. More than 15,000 people have attended the event since 2006 and contributed more than $500,000 to whale research around Hawaii.

Presentations are free and open to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons at The Ritz-Carlton. A $20 per day donation is encouraged to support Whale Tales’ beneficiaries.

Ocean activities begin Monday, Feb. 20, and continue through the week. The Education and Art Expo runs throughout the weekend, featuring hands-on learning opportunities with local nonprofit organizations, marine photography and art displays, and showcases from local businesses. Benefit whale watches with the experts are held throughout the weekend, with daily whale watches each morning and all day on Monday, Feb. 27. Tickets start at $30 per person for whale watches and ocean activities. For specific information and to book your tickets, visit www.whaletales.org.

The event will once again feature a special screening of the award-winning film “Humpback Whales,” featuring Whale Trust Maui researchers Meagan Jones and Jim Darling. Director Greg MacGillivray will also be on hand to present his newest film, “National Parks Adventure.”

For further information, visit www.whaletales.org.