Observing Whales from Land
Cover Image:
Large pod of dolphins close to shore!
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Many people think whale-watching means getting onto a boat and going out to sea to observe dolphins, porpoises, and whales. However, another way to see these wonderful animals is from land! Cetaceans can be seen from land from many locations here in British Columbia, and it requires time with patience and luck! Many species can be observed from shore such as Pacific White-Sided dolphins, especially when a large pod is travelling by. Other species regularly seen from shore (dependent on location) are Orca and Humpback whales. Many of them can be seen by the naked eye but a set of binoculars can help one see whales even further out from shore such as 10-km away. If you do see any Cetaceans whether by boat or land, we would love to hear from you and about your whale-watching experience.
Take some time to read some articles listed in our Magazine section and learn about Grey whales in decline, an albino dolphin, and a new baby Orca seen in a pod of Northern Resident Orca.
The Federal Government (DFO) statement about watching whales in the wild: “To address disturbance in the presence of whales, a mandatory 400-metre vessel approach distance for all killer whales is in effect starting June 1, 2020 in all southern British Columbia coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet. The Marine Mammal Regulations continue to remain in effect year-round, including maintaining a minimum 200 metre approach distance from all killer whales in Canadian Pacific waters other than described above, and 100 metres for other whales, porpoises and dolphins OR 200 metres when the animal is in resting position or with a calf.”
WOWs works throught the year, so please continue to keep your eyes open, and report your sightings to us.
Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Society News & Events
Donation Receipts:
Official Tax deductible donation receipts have been sent out.
COVID-19 Updates:
After some discussion during our AGM and the delays in vaccine arrival, we are sorry to say that our Dwight Hall fundraising dinner, instrumental to maintain all of our basic programs and online presence, scheduled for April 24, 2021, has had to be cancelled until further notice. Our only hope in 2021 to be able to hold a successful event is if there are drastic improvements in the Covid situation. Your donations are greatly needed and appreciated. We thank you greatly for your support!
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Instagram at Wildoceanwhalesociety and Twitter at WhalesDolphins accounts. Follow us for regular updates and photos.
For Research:
For those doing research wanting to access 26,000+ sightings in our database in a downloadable csv file for use in a spreadsheet, please Click Here. to fill in your request.
Whales and Dolphins BC & WOWs Websites:
We are continuing the process of some major updates to our websites and welcome your comments and feedback.
Real Time Monitoring Station Live Update
Our Live streaming Web Camera YouTube Channel from Powell River has a new mount for better viewing towards Texada – Vancouver Island – Savary and up towards Cortez. Hope you've been seeing the whales.
Thank You to our Volunteers and Contributors!
Our team of online Volunteers continue to do a great job in making sure all your sightings reports are mapped and published regularly. Would you like to join us?
Review our current Volunteer Job Postings We are revamping our Job Postings in conjunction with our web sites. Please continue to let us know if you are interested in volunteering, we are looking at other opportunities.
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2021-002
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Sun Jan 24 2021
10:20 • 3 Biggs Orca heading south from the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Thu Jan 28 2021
13:55 • Biggs Orca heading south by Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
14:06 • est. 6-7 Biggs Orca off Gibsons Beach just north of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
14:06 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca off Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait. All small fins.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
16:06 • est. 7-8 Biggs Orca ◦T019B Galiano◦ spread out, heading north towards Grilse Point near Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Fri Jan 29 2021
07:58 • 4 Biggs Orca heading east approaching Althorp Point, Sunderland Channel. 1 big fin and 1 calf.
11:25 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading east in Greene Point Rapids, Cordero Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:48 • est. 3 Biggs Orca back and forth, over by Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait. 1 big fin.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:29 • Biggs Orca heading south at Blind Channel. Pod.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
12:56 • est. 3 Biggs Orca heading south off Willingdon Beach, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
14:55 • 1 Biggs Orca heading north at Blind Channel. 1 big fin.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
17:30 • 2 Biggs Orca heading west off Lyall Island, Chancellor Channel. 1 big fin.
Natalie Evans, Blind Channel Resort
Sat Jan 30 2021
10:35 • 1 Biggs Orca heading east at Vansittart Point along West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait. 1 big fin.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Tue Feb 02 2021
11:01 • est. 3+ Biggs Orca south of Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs), Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Wed Feb 03 2021
15:20 • 4 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading north off Favada Point, Texada Island, Georgia Strait. I’d love to know more about this pod. It is 3 very young Orca with an adolescent. This is the third time in a few months that I have seen them hanging around (between Harwood Island to Favada point off of Texada). ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
Paul DeLuca, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales off Favada Point, Texada Island
Wed, 3 Feb 2021 – 1 items
Paul DeLuca, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales off Favada Point, Texada Island
Wed, 3 Feb 2021 – 1 items
Paul DeLuca, Powell River, BC
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Wed Jan 20 2021
–:– • NRKW Orca ◦A24s,A42s,A94 Mystery◦ travelling, heading east in Johnstone Strait. The A42s were joined by A94 and one of the younger boys from the A24s. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Thu Jan 30 2020
11:30 • est. 5-6 Orca heading south-east at Mace Point, Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. Possibly Southern Resident Killer Whales. ▫ Observed from Shore
JD, Savary Island
Wed Jan 20 2021
13:03 • est. 5+ Orca heading south, way out from the Powell River Viewpoint towards Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca by Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait
Wed, 20 Jan 2021 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca by Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait
Wed, 20 Jan 2021 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Thu Jan 21 2021
14:47 • est. 6+ Orca spread out, heading south between Atrevida Reef and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca blowing near Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait
Thu, 21 Jan 2021 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca blowing near Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait
Thu, 21 Jan 2021 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
16:56 • 3 Orca passing Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. All 3 were females.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
18:00 • Orca heading south close in, just north of the harbour at Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Small pod. ▫ Second Hand
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Fri Jan 22 2021
09:07 • Orca heading north at Blind Channel. It was a pod with at least one young orca.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
09:38 • est. 3-5 Orca doing circles, just above Grief Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
10:00 • est. 5 Orca heading south at the south end of Lewis Channel. There was at least one big fin.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
10:35 • est. 5-6 Orca doing circles, heading north past Atrevida Reef, north of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. They all had small fins and were taking long dives, causing them to sneak past the viewpoint area.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca travelling in the distance
Fri, 22 Jan 2021 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca travelling in the distance
Fri, 22 Jan 2021 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
15:15 • 3 Orca close to shore, off of the northeast tip of Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. There was lots of splashing and 2 big fins. ▫ Second Hand
Emily Browne, Savary Island, BC
17:00 • 1 Orca heading south between Swanson Island and the Western Islets, Knight Inlet. The lone orca had a big fin.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sat Jan 23 2021
10:05 • 3 Orca heading south past Myrtle Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. There was one big fin. ▫ Second Hand
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon Jan 25 2021
13:55 • Orca mid channel off Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
Wed Feb 03 2021
14:50 • est. 4-5 Orca heading north off Seymour Island, Sunderland Channel. Includes one adult male (big fin) and one calf. From Orca Chief. ▫ Second Hand
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca travelling close to shore
Thu, 28 Jan 2021 – 1 items
Leon Fisher
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca travelling close to shore
Thu, 28 Jan 2021 – 1 items
Leon Fisher
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orcas blowing!
Sun, 31 Jan 2021 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orcas blowing!
Sun, 31 Jan 2021 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
HUMPBACK WHALES
Thu Jan 21 2021
10:13 • 2 Humpback Whales between Clover Point and Race Rocks, Strait of Juan de Fuca. Hard to estimate the distance, but their backs
were only viewable with binoculars. However, their exhalation puffs were
visible to the naked eye. It looked like an adult and a junior.
were only viewable with binoculars. However, their exhalation puffs were
visible to the naked eye. It looked like an adult and a junior.
Robyn Swanson, Victoria, BC
14:00 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales off Wedge Island at the mouth of Knight Inlet.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
A Humpback taking flight!
Wed, 20 Jan 2021 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
A Humpback taking flight!
Wed, 20 Jan 2021 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Playful humpback mastering the barrell roll!
Sat, 18 Jan 2020 – 1 items
Discovery West Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Playful humpback mastering the barrell roll!
Sat, 18 Jan 2020 – 1 items
Discovery West Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Breaching Humpback!
Tue, 26 Jan 2021 – 1 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Breaching Humpback!
Tue, 26 Jan 2021 – 1 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
MINKE WHALES
Fri Jan 29 2021
14:44 • 1 Minke Whales heading south approaching We Wai Kai Village, Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Wed Jan 20 2021
08:05 • est. 20-25 PWS Dolphins doing slow circles, heading north-west off the seawalk near the Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait. Were following each other one by one in the Northwest direction. Then all of a sudden they lined up in a row and came in very fast towards the shore and then started circling again around and eating. ▫ Observed from Shore
Tarah Martin, Powell River
09:31 • est. 10+ PWS Dolphins heading south, not too far off the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. Small group.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
09:40 • PWS Dolphins heading south, below the Powell River Viewpoint. Small pod close in.
Heather Harbord, Powell River, BC
10:05 • PWS Dolphins heading south between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Quite active larger group.
11:22 • est. 100+ PWS Dolphins heading south near Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Close to shore.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Large pod of Pacific White-Sided Dolphins leaping close to shore
Wed, 20 Jan 2021 – 7 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Large pod of Pacific White-Sided Dolphins leaping close to shore
Wed, 20 Jan 2021 – 7 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:45 • est. 15-20 PWS Dolphins travelling quickly, heading south off Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. Quite far apart. ▫ Observed from Shore
AT, Powell River, BC
Fri Jan 22 2021
10:41 • PWS Dolphins at Atrevida Reef, north of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Mon Jan 25 2021
09:00 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins milling, heading south-east midway between Black (Albion) Point and Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait. First seen travelling south-east then they turned and came together in a large group – the group seemed to quiet and not as many were visible above the water. After about 20 minutes they separated and the line moved in a north-westerly direction. ▫ Observed from Shore
Liz Kennedy, Powell River, BC
10:12 • est. 200 PWS Dolphins heading north off Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Sun Jan 31 2021
11:25 • est. 50-80 PWS Dolphins foraging, moving towards Texada Island from Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Wed Feb 03 2021
15:10 • est. 10 PWS Dolphins off Seymour Island, Sunderland Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Leaping Pacific White-Sided Dolphin!
Sat, 30 Jan 2021 – 1 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Leaping Pacific White-Sided Dolphin!
Sat, 30 Jan 2021 – 1 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES UNSURE
Tue Feb 02 2021
13:54 • 1 Species Unsure between Rebecca Rocks and Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Could be a Grey whale or possibly the Minke whale from a few days ago.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Archive Explorer
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The Magazine
REGIONAL & NATIONAL
CBC News
Thirteen North Atlantic whale calves have been spotted off the coast of the southern United States – more than the number born in a single winter since 2016. The calves, recorded only about halfway through the calving season, are reason for “guarded optimism” about the endangered whale’s population, a researcher says….
read on
read on
Phys.org
It’s mid-January 2021, and the first gray whales from the eastern North Pacific population have started to arrive in the breeding lagoons in Baja California, Mexico. Since the start of their southbound migration from their high latitude feeding grounds, several sightings of emaciated gray whales have already been reported along their migration route….
read on
read on
CTV News
PORT HARDY — Who doesn’t love a first baby of the year story? But have you heard about the first baby orca of 2021?
Five days into 2021, researchers spotted a new calf, hopping along beside its mother off northern Vancouver Island….
read on
SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
NBC 7 (San Diego)
When Doctors Jay Barlow and Elizabeth Henderson set sail from San Diego back in November, they couldn’t have predicted what was awaiting them off the coast of Baja California. With a team of marine mammal researchers, the pair believe they may have discovered a new species of a beaked whale that approached them while they were out on the open seas….
read on
read on
The Tennessee Tribune
Chinese officials are racing against time to save a pink-tinged albino dolphin that got lost and is now trapped between two floodgates.
The rare Chinese white dolphin is estimated to be 30 to 40 years old. Experts believe it entered the Shakou Water Control Station in the city of Foshan in China’s Guangdong Province because its internal sonar system is no longer reliable….
read on
The Indian Express
A stunning drone video of a whale trapping its prey in its mouth is one of the most popular videos n the internet presently.
The video, shows the whale keeping its mouth wide open along the water’s surface and a school of fish swimming into it, without realising it’s a trap. When enough fish are inside its mouth, the whale spins swiftly while abruptly closing its jaws….
read on
RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
BBC
Seeing a whale stranded on a beach often provokes a strong reaction. It can make people curious – beached whales can do strange things, like explode. It can also be upsetting to witness a creature so magnificent in water reduced to lifeless blubber on land. What rarely registers, however, is the lost opportunity for carbon sequestration….
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read on
Independent (UK)
The number of harbour porpoises which live in the North Sea is declining, scientists who have conducted long-term surveys of marine life in the area warn. As human activity in the area has increased during the 20th and 21st centuries, with rises in shipping, fishing and offshore energy infrastructure, the impact is feared to be taking a critical toll on numerous species….
read on
read on