MEET DIMPLES
Dimples the Whale™ is a young whale with a big heart and lots to discover. Her stories inspire children ages 4 to 8 to explore friendship, feelings, courage, and kindness—while learning to care for themselves, each other, and the ocean.
KEEP EXPLORING WITH DIMPLES
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Children & Families
Stories, questions & activities to explore together
EDUCATORS
Ocean-inspired ideas for curious classrooms
OCEAN IMPACT
See how every purchase helps protect our ocean
It All Started with a Whale.
In August 2023, Patricia and Alan encountered Pinball—a mother humpback whale entangled in fishing rope off Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Their quick action and call to the Center for Coastal Studies helped save her, and the moment was captured in a report by GBH News, which broke the story (and GBH’s reposting of Alan dramatic Youtube video immediately garnered 75K views).
That unforgettable day sparked Dimples the Whale™—a mission to inspire children and empower families to protect our ocean and it’s creatures from growing threats.
Since then, the rescue story has made waves—covered by The Boston Globe, Miami Herald, CBS News (Boston), Boston 25 News,WCVB, Cape Cod Times,Yahoo News, Environment America and more. But it all began with a small boat, an entangled whale, and a team effort with lots of big caring hearts.
From left to right: Emily Kelly, Paulette Durazo and Bob Lynch work to disentangle the humpback whale Pinball on Aug. 12, 2023.
Center for Coastal Studies, under NOAA NMFS permit #24359
“It was very emotional. We held hands, knowing it wasn’t just one whale—it was a mother and her calf. Two lives we helped save.”
“They [Patricia and Alan] called immediately once they realized something was wrong. And had they not done that … we wouldn’t have been able to [free and] do what we did for Pinball.”
“That summer day, we didn’t just help facilitate a whale and her calf being saved—the ocean cried out for help, and touched us deep in our core. From that moment, I’ve been compelled to answer its call.”
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“This is amazing and such a fabulous project.”
Allain
mother of two teens and healthcare attorney
“I absolutely love this project!”
Monica
mother of an 8-year-old and an integrated marketing expert
“It's an awesome way to bring this huge problem of waste in the oceans to the attention of us land dwellers!”
Milton
world traveler and award-winning cinematographer whose credits include National Geographic, PBS Kids, Oxfam, Amazon Prime, Netflix, & History Channel.
MEET OUR FOUNDERS
We’re Patricia and Alan, creators of Dimples the Whale™.
Welcome! After unexpectedly helping rescue a mother whale, we were inspired to create stories that help kids love and protect the ocean.
Dimples was named after a beloved grandmother.
Every purchase supports cleaner oceans.
With gratitude,
