Humpback Whales and other Baleen Whales
Cover Image:
“Potumas” the humpback surfacing
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
More than half of the reported sightings during the past two weeks were of Humpback Whales. A majority of the Humpback whales were observed in upper Georgia Strait and its adjacent waterways; a few have appeared off Vancouver (the Lower Mainland). In addition to the Humpbacks, there were a few Grey whales observed and one Minke whale around Quadra Island in Discovery Passage. Transient Orca were in various parts of Georgia Strait and a few Southern Resident Orca made a foray into Georgia Strait making their way as far north as Nanaimo. A few of the Transient Orca were observed breaching. Rounding our report is one sighting of Pacific White-Sided dolphins and a few sightings of Dall’s porpoises and Harbour porpoises.
PLEASE NOTE: Our links currently show as broken, but they DO work. We apologize for any confusion as we continue to wait for a fix.
The Federal Government (DFO) issued the following statement about watching Orca in the wild: “Vessels must stay 400-m away and may not position a vessel in the path of killer whales in southern BC coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet until May 31, 2025.” For all other areas of B.C. outside of the area indicated above, a minimum distance of 200-m must be maintained when viewing Orca OR while viewing any Cetaceans that are resting or with a calf. When viewing whales, dolphins, and porpoises under other circumstances not described above, a minimum distance of 100-m must be kept. A great resource for up to date Canadian or US regulations: Be Whale Wise Guidelines
WOWs works throughout 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
Donatons:
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Websites:
Whales and Dolphins BC is our educational website where these reports are also published and our Wild Ocean Whale site is our Society website. Information on our Feral Cat Initiative will be updated again soon.
Instagram and Twitter: Instagram at Wildoceanwhalesociety and Twitter (on hold for now) at WhalesDolphins
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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? Updates on current availabilities and revised links will be posted here.
Review our previous Volunteer Job Postings Job Postings are slowly being revamped (we're volunteers too, so sorry for the delays) and not yet on our web sites.
Data For Research:
For research access to 33,000+ sightings in our database in a downloadable csv file for use in a spreadsheet, please Click Here. to fill in your request.
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2024-007
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Mon May 13 2024
18:00 • est. 6-7 Biggs Orca breaching, heading north-east close to Silva Bay, Gabriola Island, Georgia Strait. Swimming in pod, various sizes, clearly small/junior Orca with adults. Blowing water, rising, going back under water. ▫ Observed from Shore
JS, Gabriola Island, BC
Tue May 14 2024
10:00 • est. 3 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south off Vancouver Bay, Prince of Wales Reach, Jervis Inlet. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
Brad Elliott, Abbotsford, BC
Wed May 15 2024
10:00 • est. 5 Biggs Orca breaching, between Passage Island and Point Cowan, Queen Charlotte Channel. Saw group again at 10:50am going northward up the east side of the channel, towards Whytecliff Park. ▫ From Ferry
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
15:00 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south between Cape Lazo and Tree Islet, Georgia Strait.
15:40 • 4+ Biggs Orca heading north by the ower part of Hornby Island heading towards the other group south of Cape Lazo, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri May 17 2024
09:50 • 3+ Biggs Orca near the top of Lewis Channel.
13:00 • Biggs Orca in Ramsay Arm.
14:45 • Biggs Orca in front of Frances Bay, Raza Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:00 • 5 Biggs Orca milling, near Toba Mountain, Raza Passage. Left them at 15:35.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat May 18 2024
15:00 • Biggs Orca off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
18:17 • est. 2+ Biggs Orca heading north just south of Grilse Point at the north end of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. At least two large Orca, possibly total 3 in group. Last seen at 18:55 in front of Blubber Bay taking long dives.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
18:55 • 3 Biggs Orca taking long dives, crossed in front of Blubber Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Possibly going down the west side of Texada Islanad.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
Sun May 19 2024
09:30 • 5+ Biggs Orca heading north on the north-west side of Mitlenatch Island Nature Park, Georgia Strait. There were actually two groups.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:40 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T037s◦ moving slowly, heading north off the Spoil Grounds south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. A few pods are together. At 10:32, they were still northbound approaching the Cape Mudge Lighthouse (Quadra Island).
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
12:10 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ moving slowly, heading north at Willow Point, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales at Willow Point, Georgia Strait
Sun, 19 May 2024 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales at Willow Point, Georgia Strait
Sun, 19 May 2024 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:15 • Biggs Orca near the Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon May 20 2024
09:00 • Biggs Orca off Breton Islands angling towards Hoskyn Channel, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:40 • 1 Biggs Orca heading north between Fawn Bluff and Johnstone Bluff, Bute Inlet. Close to east shore.
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
17:00 • est. 6-7 Biggs Orca frolicking, heading north, 1000 meters north of Flora Islet, 800 meters offshore from Hornby Island, Georgia Strait. The adolecents were doing a lot of tail slapping, as were the adults occasionally. There seemed to be one large male, with a very tall dorsal fin, along with about 3 adults with smaller dorsal fins, and two adolescents. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
DH, Hornby Island, BC
Wed May 22 2024
11:00 • 3+ Biggs Orca between Coho (Kiddie) Point and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. ▫ From Ferry
Glynis Higgins, Powell River, BC
20:00 • Biggs Orca heading north, Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri May 24 2024
11:25 • Biggs Orca ◦T100s◦ off the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
11:28 • Biggs Orca heading north at Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:20 • Biggs Orca ◦T100s◦ moving slowly, heading north off Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:25 • est. 3 Biggs Orca breaching, near Whytecliff Park, West Vancouver, Queen Charlotte Channel. ▫ From Ferry
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
Sun May 26 2024
11:18 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north-east off Brougham Point, Nodales Channel. The two Orca were observed as a mother and calf pair. Observed travelling along the shore of East Thurlow Island between Lee Islands and Thurlow Point. Leaving the scene at 11:51.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:10 • 2 Biggs Orca in Frederick Arm. There was one calf. They were seen entering the waterway along the west shore.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales by Powell River
Tue, 14 May 2024 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales by Powell River
Tue, 14 May 2024 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales blowing in the rain!
Fri, 24 May 2024 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales blowing in the rain!
Fri, 24 May 2024 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales surfacing near shore!
Mon, 13 May 2024 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales surfacing near shore!
Mon, 13 May 2024 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Thu May 16 2024
09:20 • est. 6+ SRKW Orca heading east to the east of Snake Island, Nanaimo, Georgia Strait. Orca on both sides of the ferry. ▫ From Ferry
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Mon May 20 2024
16:00 • est. 5 Orca moving quickly, heading south-east along the Swartz Bay ferry route about 2-5 km offshore from Georgina Point, Mayne Island, Georgia Strait. One observed very close to the ferry (<200m) and two pairs observed nearby (400-600m). ▫ From Ferry
MB, Vancouver, BC
Sun May 26 2024
11:40 • Orca in Nodales Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
HUMPBACK WHALES
Tue May 14 2024
09:39 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. Left the scene at 10:01am with whale still heading south mid-way between Cape Mudge and Willow Point.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:50 • Humpback Whales in front of Gowlland Island, Gowlland Harbour.
Radio, overheard or call out
Wed May 15 2024
14:50 • Humpback Whales resting, near Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
15:10 • Humpback Whales breaching, Closer to Texada Island across from Cape Lazo, Comox, Georgia Strait.
15:20 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south from Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Thu May 16 2024
09:10 • Humpback Whales off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
13:00 • 2 Humpback Whales just outside of Quathiaski Cove Ferry Terminal, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
16:50 • 3 Humpback Whales at the entrance to Okisollo Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri May 17 2024
14:45 • Humpback Whales on the south side of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
19:30 • est. 1 Humpback Whales heading west between west Spanish Bank and the start of Wreck Beach, Georgia Strait. Kept lifting itself out of the water then going back under. Initially was moving in circles, then kept going east ward to one of the dock pilings, then turned and went back westwards. Lots of spray. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
Fatemeh Mayanloo, Vancouver, BC
20:00 • 1 Humpback Whales turned, heading east near Spanish Bank, Vancouver, Burrard Inlet. Whale was maybe feeding or playing, swimming quite in close to shore; spouting and often on its side with fin showing (but not slapping). ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
KH, Vancouver, BC
Sat May 18 2024
09:20 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, approximately half way between Tsawwassen and Mayne Island, Georgia Strait. Observed breaching behind the ferry. ▫ From Ferry
MB, Vancouver, BC
09:51 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:00 • Humpback Whales by the rapids in Okisollo Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:33 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0885 Potamus◦ heading north mid channel between Cape Mudge and Big Rock, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:03 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0885 Potamus◦ heading north mid channel abeam the Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun May 19 2024
13:50 • Humpback Whales in front of Arran Rapids, Yuculta Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon May 20 2024
09:29 • est. 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Maud Island in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:30 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north, at North Bluff, Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:30 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south near Bullock Bluff, Cortes Island, Lewis Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
Wed May 22 2024
09:00 • Humpback Whales heading north above Seymour Narrows getting closer to Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:00 • 1 Humpback Whales milling, in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. Pointing south.
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
09:50 • 2 Humpback Whales by Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:40 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south mid channel between Copper Bluffs and Middle Point, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:40 • Humpback Whales near Wilby Shoals close to Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Thu May 23 2024
13:09 • Humpback Whales heading south about 1 mile off Hopkins Landing, Collingwood Channel.
JK, Hopkins Landing, BC
14:10 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
14:35 • Humpback Whales off Venture Point, Okisollo Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:56 • 1 Humpback Whales near Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. Unsure of the direction. ▫ Second Hand
14:56 • 1 Humpback Whales off Granite Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Possibly heading north. ▫ Second Hand
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:02 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading south below McMullen Point, Discovery Passage. At Dogpatch below McMullen Point.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale taking long dive by McMullen Point, Discovery Passage
Thu, 23 May 2024 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale taking long dive by McMullen Point, Discovery Passage
Thu, 23 May 2024 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
17:50 • Humpback Whales off Walcan Seafood Plant, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
17:54 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south close to shore Walcan Seafood Plant, Quadra Island. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri May 24 2024
10:40 • Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading north close to shore Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
11:20 • Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ near Separation Head, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:01 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ milling, north of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
15:27 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south to the south of McMullen Point, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sat May 25 2024
09:30 • Humpback Whales just above Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage.
09:45 • Humpback Whales off Kitty Coleman Beach Park, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:10 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0885 Potamus◦ bucking tide, mid channel off April Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun May 26 2024
09:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:02 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north past Walcan Seafood Plant, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Travelling in different directions. Left the whales at 10:23.
10:02 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Separation Head, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Passed these 2 whales at 10:23 off Plumper Bay.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:30 • 2 Humpback Whales just below Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:45 • 4 Humpback Whales between McMullen Point and Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:00 • Humpback Whales heading south by McMullen Point, Discovery Passage. Making this number 4 Humpback in the area.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:14 • 1 Humpback Whales milling, off Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Mon May 27 2024
11:17 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south near April Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
12:47 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0885 Potamus◦ heading south 200 meters off shore at Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Tue May 28 2024
07:40 • 1 Humpback Whales between Copper Bluffs and May Island, Discovery Passage. Very active.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
11:00 • 2 Humpback Whales at McMullen Point, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback travelling mid channel!
Fri, 24 May 2024 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback travelling mid channel!
Fri, 24 May 2024 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
MINKE WHALES
Mon May 20 2024
15:56 • 1 Minke Whales north of the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy at Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. The whale was very shy.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
GREY WHALES
Wed May 15 2024
19:00 • 1 Grey Whales heading west in False Narrows close to Gabriola Island, Northumberland Channel. A grey whale was observed initially heading east. It turned and headed west.
Diana Mumford, BC
Sat May 25 2024
12:59 • 1 Grey Whales heading north approaching Whiskey Point, Quadra Island along the east side of Discovery Passage. Left the whale at 13:10. Two boats on scene.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:50 • Grey Whales heading north, Quathiaski Cove Ferry Terminal, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
15:50 • Grey Whales still back and forth off Grouse Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun May 26 2024
10:02 • 1 Grey Whales in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. Travelling in different directions. Left the whale at 10:23.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:30 • Grey Whales at North Bluff, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:45 • 1 Grey Whales between McMullen Point and Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Wed May 22 2024
09:50 • 12+ PWS Dolphins in Deepwater Bay, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
DALLS PORPOISE
Mon May 20 2024
12:30 • Dalls Porpoise in Hole in the Wall.
Radio, overheard or call out
Wed May 22 2024
14:00 • Dalls Porpoise playing in Hole in the Wall. nice bunch of them.
14:00 • 2 Dalls Porpoise off Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Mon May 20 2024
09:40 • 2 Harbour Porpoise moving slowly, about 200-m west of Selby Point, Prevost Island, Captain Passage. Observed while kayaking from James Bay, Prevost Island to Ganges, Saltspring Island. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
10:15 • 4 Harbour Porpoise moving slowly, about 400-m west of Welbury Point, Saltspring Island, Ganges Harbour. Two pairs observed swimming approximately 200m apart from kayaks. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
MB, Vancouver, BC
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The Magazine
SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
USA Today
A San Diego whale-watching captain this week shared a short but wonderful video clip showing a dog intently observing a surfacing blue whale….
read on
read on
SFGATE
A few miles off the coast of Point Reyes National Seashore, the 9-foot-high swells churned around the research vessel Jan Roletto was aboard last Friday when she and her colleague Kirsten Lindquist noticed the behemoth approaching them. "We clearly saw the V-shaped blow, no dorsal fin, all black, very broad," Roletto, the research coordinator for the Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries, told SFGATE in an email. "It was darker than a humpback and not the shape of a humpback."…
read on
read on
RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
Mongabay (India)
Alarmed by the dwindling numbers of the Gangetic dolphin in the Ganga, scientists have identified stretches of the river for priority long-term conservation programmes to help revive the endangered species….
read on
read on
Good News Network
GNN has reported several times over the last three years about large baleen whales returning to waters in which they haven’t been sighted for decades.
Now again, news from Argentina shows that the benefits of the 1946 International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling are still compounding, with sei whales returning to the South American nation’s coastal waters for the first time in nearly a decade….
read on
Phys.org
Summer is coming and that means more boats in the sea. Danish coastal waters are especially cluttered with small boats in the summertime: Locals water skiing, going fishing or just riding around the beautiful bays and fjords.
In general, people relax and have a good time on the water, but that is unfortunately not the case for the harbor porpoise….
read on