Ocean Lovers Festival Ambassador and Australian model Sam Harris will join an Ocean Lovers cultural and science cruise with Tribal Warrior and the Sydney Institute of Marine Science to kick off on water activities as the Festival splashes down in Darling Harbour this weekend, March 15 and 16.
Australia's largest cultural and science event dedicated to the ocean, the Ocean Lovers Festival, is back for its fifth year to span multiple Sydney locations, featuring a diverse lineup of ocean-inspired events aimed at celebrating, educating, and inspiring action for a healthier ocean.
The festival lands in Darling Harbour's Palm Grove on Saturday March 15 with a Trashion Parade and eco-markets plus the Don't Be a Tosser activation and a sustainable boating showcase featuring world record holding sailor Lisa Blair.
The cultural and science cruise leaves the Australian National Maritime Museum at 11am to explore ancient knowledge and customs and share with the public modern science restoration projects in Sydney Harbour.
The festival of ideas, art, music, and actions then moves to Bondi on March 23 and 24 starting with a sunrise yoga session on Bondi Beach followed by "science in your swimmers" talks, and over 60 eco-markets, art displays and live music on the beach front.
Ocean enthusiasts can dive into over 25 free talks with expert panels on topics such as sustainable seafood, Indigenous sea knowledge, shark net alternatives, weather extremes, a culinary cure for the sea urchin invasion and Vitamin Sea exploring the health benefits of the ocean with Bondi Lifeguard Dean Gladstone.
Miss Earth 2024 Jessica Lane will be at the Bondi events including a celebration of the Jaws movie 50th anniversary with the Jawsie Awards on stage. Festival Patron Valerie Taylor will also be giving a shark talk.
The public can enjoy hands-on workshops and immerse in actions for the ocean at locations across Sydney for the rest of the month of March.
See highlights here.
- 14 March - Sea Science Student Expo
- 15 March – Culture and Science Cruise with Tribal Warrior and SIMS on Sydney Harbour
- 15 March - Trashion Shows, Darling Harbour sponsored by Sofitel Darling Harbour
- 15 & 16 March – Darling Harbour Markets and BIA Sustainable Boating Showcase
- 20 March – Deep Blue Impact - AMCS & friends impact film and talks event
- 21 March - School Excursions
- 21 March - Swim for the Ocean with Bondi Salties
- 22 March - Sunrise Yoga on the beach with Rare Studio Bondi
- 22 March - Ocean Adventures with Diver Dave, North Sydney Coal Loader
- 22 March - Big Bondi Beach Clean with Take 3 for the Sea, (Free, Register Here)
- 22 -23 March - Ocean Lovers Festival Film Program at Bondi Pavilion
- 22 - 23 March - Ocean Lovers Talks in the High Tide Room
- 22 - 23 March - Live music on the Sunshine Stage and markets.
- 22 - 23 March - free kids activities, Festival hub and adult workshops in the Bondi Pavilion
- 23 March - Expanding Purpose & Possibilities with Michelle Boyde
- 26 March - Eco Playgroup – Protecting The Ocean, North Sydney Coal Loader
- 30 March - Fillet-a-Fish Course, Sydney Fish Markets
Key Facts:
Darling Harbour Festival weekend March 15 & 16.
Bondi Beach and Pavillion Festival weekend March 22 & 23.
About us:
The Ocean Lovers Festival was born in Bondi in 2019 and has been staged annually since 2022, expanding to a month long ocean themed event across Sydney in 2025. The festival is a place to 'Sea Change' in a multi-channel showcase of entertainment to highlight ocean protection and innovative solutions, as well as celebrate the ocean through ideas, art, music, film, science and actions.
