The historic Western Flyer, chartered by John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts in 1940, now serves as a working research vessel and floating classroom, sparking curiosity through the intersection of marine science and the arts.
A Special Message from the Western Flyer Foundation
August 27, 2026The Western Flyer Foundation is launching a one-time $1 million stabilization campaign to protect the progress we have made and put the Foundation on stronger financial footing. Thanks to a generous $250,000 matching challenge, every gift made now will be doubled.
View Full ArticleJoin the Crew: Western Flyer Foundation Membership Is Here
August 27, 2026Your support has always made you part of the Western Flyer community. Now, our new membership program offers even more ways to connect with the vessel, its work, and the people who make it all possible.
View Full ArticleBringing Western Flyer Data to Life
August 25, 2026A team at the Naval Postgraduate School has developed a new interactive platform using environmental data from the Western Flyer. Called VIGOR, the platform allows users to retrace past expeditions and follow the vessel’s location and environmental observations live from Monterey Bay.
View Full ArticleAn Update on Our 2027 Gulf of California Expedition
August 18, 2026The Western Flyer Foundation has made the difficult decision to postpone our planned 2027 Gulf of California expedition. We remain committed to our partners in Mexico and look forward to returning when the timing and resources are right
View Full ArticleDocked in Moss Landing, the Western Flyer wants you to ‘Seas the Summer’
KAZU | By Erika Mahoney, August 14, 2026KAZU’s Erika Mahoney steps aboard the Western Flyer with Kaitlyn Ponce to explore the vessel’s history and Seas the Summer, our weekend celebration of science, art, and community in Moss Landing.
View Full ArticleWestern Flyer Foundation Invites the Community to “Seas the Summer”
July 22, 2026PRESS RELEASE: Seas the Summer returns to Moss Landing every Saturday and Sunday from August 1 through September 6. This free community series features hands-on art and science activities, seminars aboard the docked Western Flyer, tours of the Western Flyer and Sunflower Star Laboratory, local vendors, and more.
View Full Article
