Happy Holidays!
Cover Image:
A high flying dolphin at the mouth of Nodales Channel
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
During the past few weeks, a few sightings of Pacific White-Sided dolphins were reported. These dolphins can be exciting to watch when they travel quickly or when they leap out of the water up to 4-meters in the air. At other times, they may be swimming slowly and conserving their energy. Pacific White-Sided dolphins may travel in pods as small as a dozen or in large pods that may include hundreds of individuals.
Many Humpback whales were reported in upper Georgia Strait and two were observed west of Salt Spring Island in Stuart Channel. Some of the Humpbacks were observed to be breaching and on one occasion, the Humpback whales were doing tail slaps. A number of Transient Orca pods were observed as well as one pod of Harbour porpoises.
As we approach the end of 2024 and the Holiday Season, we want to thank you for your contributions and support to the Wild Ocean Whale Society. We hope through our publications that you have learned more about Cetaceans and feel enthusiastic about viewing them out in the wild. We wish you all the very best as we enter 2025 and hope you continue to have opportunities to see whales and dolphins around in B.C. waters!
As a reminder that if you are boating and out on the water, please be aware of the presence of whales and dolphins. Signs of their presence may include blows of the Cetaceans and other boats stopped or moving slowly in an area. Boats and other water craft (e.g. kayaks) must remain at least 400-meters away from Orca and at least 100-m away from other species. See the full government regulation in the paragraph below.
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:
Thank you all for your kind and continuing donations. Your support is greatly appreciated to keep us going.
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
Real Time Monitoring Station Live Update
Our Live Web Camera YouTube Channel streams from Powell River 24/7 with views towards Texada – Vancouver Island – Savary and up towards Cortez. Hope you've been seeing some of the many whales and the Aurora Borealis.
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: 2024-020
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Wed Nov 20 2024
15:50 • Biggs Orca heading south off Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait. ▫ From Ferry
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sun Nov 24 2024
12:24 • 1 Biggs Orca back and forth, north of Blubber Bay. A large one.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Mon Dec 02 2024
15:28 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca heading north, south of Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs), heading towards Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Tue Dec 03 2024
12:00 • Biggs Orca heading north, south of Beach Gardens Marina, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Orca heading north, south of Beach Gardens Marina, Malaspina Strait
Tue, 3 Dec 2024 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Orca heading north, south of Beach Gardens Marina, Malaspina Strait
Tue, 3 Dec 2024 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:32 • 3 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading north more than of half the way to Powell River Viewpoint from Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. Two of the Orcas were identified as male, the third was a female. ▫ Observed from Shore
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Sat Dec 07 2024
15:48 • est. 4+ Biggs Orca heading north between Coho (Kiddie) Point and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Sun Dec 08 2024
16:25 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca heading south off Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Mon Dec 09 2024
10:19 • Biggs Orca heading north, two-thirds of the way from Coho (Kiddie) Point to Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Killer Whales surfacing!
Sun, 24 Nov 2024 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Killer Whales surfacing!
Sun, 24 Nov 2024 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
An Orca doing the backstroke near Copper Bluffs in 2014
Fri, 6 Dec 2024 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
An Orca doing the backstroke near Copper Bluffs in 2014
Fri, 6 Dec 2024 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Orca Power!
Fri, 29 Nov 2024 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Orca Power!
Fri, 29 Nov 2024 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Flashback to 2013: The legendary TO63 (Chainsaw) in transit. He was born in 1978.
Wed, 13 Nov 2024 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Flashback to 2013: The legendary TO63 (Chainsaw) in transit. He was born in 1978.
Wed, 13 Nov 2024 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Northern Resident Killer Whales
A66 “Surf” heading northbound up Johnstone Strait in a strong norwester in 2014
Tue, 10 Dec 2024 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Northern Resident Killer Whales
A66 “Surf” heading northbound up Johnstone Strait in a strong norwester in 2014
Tue, 10 Dec 2024 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Sun Nov 17 2024
07:57 • 1 Orca heading north from Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Wed Dec 04 2024
09:15 • Orca heading towards Powell River in Georgia Strait. Observed from ferry. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
HUMPBACK WHALES
Wed Nov 13 2024
10:29 • Humpback Whales heading south in front of Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
SW, Powell River, BC
Fri Nov 15 2024
11:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north between Hurtado Point and Savary Island, Malaspina Strait.
12:00 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ resting, just off Lund, Malaspina Strait. The Humpbacks were observed -snoozing- side by side of eachother.
13:30 • Humpback Whales doing circles, south of Lund. Relaxed breathing at the surface, then taking long dives with tails up.
17:05 • 2 Humpback Whales between Harwood / Ahgykson Island and Lund, Malaspina Strait.
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
Sun Nov 17 2024
10:52 • Humpback Whales just past Coho (Kiddie) Point at the NW tip of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
SW, Powell River, BC
15:35 • 2 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks to Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait.
15:42 • est. 6 Humpback Whales between Coho (Kiddie) Point and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Sat Nov 23 2024
15:45 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading south in Lund, Malaspina Strait. KC and companion in Lund Harbour between breakwater and fuel dock. Then travelled south outside of breakwater.
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
Mon Nov 25 2024
08:07 • 3 Humpback Whales spread out, between Coho (Kiddie) Point and Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
14:20 • 2 Humpback Whales sound – dive down, past Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. The Humpbacks were heard from the Willingdon Floating Dock, and were singing until 15:15:00.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
Tue Nov 26 2024
11:13 • Humpback Whales tail slaps, past the north side of Rebecca Rocks.
SW, Powell River, BC
Thu Nov 28 2024
09:14 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales at Rebecca Rocks. Doing pec slaps.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sun Dec 01 2024
10:00 • Humpback Whales north of Rebecca Rocks. Three groups.
10:00 • Humpback Whales south of Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait. One group. Lots of birds too.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Mon Dec 02 2024
09:00 • est. 10+ Humpback Whales breaching, between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Tue Dec 03 2024
09:35 • est. 10+ Humpback Whales between Coho (Kiddie) Point and Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Fri Dec 06 2024
11:36 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, north of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Both whales breached at the same time.
11:38 • Humpback Whales breaching & tail lobs, to the west of Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
14:45 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Erskine Point, Salt Spring Island, Stuart Channel.
Jamie Gamble, Salt Spring Island, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales heading north off Erskine Point, Salt Spring Island, Stuart Channel
Fri, 6 Dec 2024 – 1 items
Jamie Gamble, Salt Spring Island, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales heading north off Erskine Point, Salt Spring Island, Stuart Channel
Fri, 6 Dec 2024 – 1 items
Jamie Gamble, Salt Spring Island, BC
Sat Dec 07 2024
10:07 • Humpback Whales between Coho (Kiddie) Point and Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait. At least four groups.
10:25 • Humpback Whales breaching, between Coho (Kiddie) Point and a bit west of Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Sun Dec 08 2024
08:39 • est. 3+ Humpback Whales far out past Rebecca Rocks and Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Georgia Strait. A huge flock of birds were seen with the Humpbacks.
SW, Powell River, BC
Wed Dec 11 2024
09:54 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales heading south close to Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
16:20 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales off the light at Blubber Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Dove when ferry was close.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Thu Dec 12 2024
08:20 • 2 Humpback Whales near Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Iwan Van Veen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sat Dec 07 2024
12:10 • est. 80+ PWS Dolphins just north of Blubber Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Active dolphins.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sun Dec 08 2024
12:10 • PWS Dolphins heading south from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. Small pod.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White-sided Dolphins leaping into the air!
Wed, 4 Dec 2024 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White-sided Dolphins leaping into the air!
Wed, 4 Dec 2024 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
A Pacific White-sided Dolphin surfacing, bubbles escaping from its blowhole!
Sun, 8 Dec 2024 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
A Pacific White-sided Dolphin surfacing, bubbles escaping from its blowhole!
Sun, 8 Dec 2024 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Wed Nov 27 2024
11:30 • est. 4-5 Harbour Porpoise close to shore of West Vancouver, Burrard Inlet.
Rob Powell, North Vancouver, BC
Archive Explorer
Archive Explorer navigates 25,000+ Cetacean Sightings, images, videos and audio recordings. Please use the the funnel in our Map for access to our huge range of filters. Those wishing Research information in a spreadsheet format, please Click Here
*Recommended for desktop browsers and newer mobile devices
Archive Explorer dives into the Coastal Cetacean world. View Cetacean sighting locations, photos and videos:
- All species including Orca, Humpback, Grey Whale or Dalls Porpoise
- Follow the endangered Southern Residents Orca in the Salish Sea
- Search for encounters with T002C2 Tumbo
- Witness a close-up Orca encounter video in Port Alberni harbour
- Follow the T010s Transients as they hunt and travel the inside passage
- Track "KC", the ever popular Humpback's movements
- Locate any of 12,000+ named locations on the BC and WA State coast
- Print custom sighting reports and maps (Coming Soon)
Archive Explorer Help Page explains many advanced functions
Send your Comments and Questions to: Archive Explorer Feedback
To access 25,000+ sightings in our database in a downloadable csv file for use in a research spreadsheet, please Click Here.
The Magazine
REGIONAL & NATIONAL
CBC
In what may seem like a call-back to 1980s whale culture, a resident orca off the coast of Washington state was recently spotted sporting a dead salmon on its head.
The phenomenon was first documented in 1987 when whales from three separate pods were seen wearing salmon on their heads, like a human wears a hat….
read on
CTV News
A study of hot spots for collisions between ships and whales around the world, including Canadian waters, offers a map for measures to prevent the deadly strikes that could drive some species to extinction, one of the British Columbia-based authors says….
read on
read on
SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
ForTheWin (USA Today)
Boaters off San Diego on Saturday [November 23] witnessed a rarely seen spectacle involving killer whales, or orcas, that are more commonly encountered much farther south in Mexico….
read on
read on
Global News
An amazing sight off the west coast of Vancouver Island has been captured on camera and it all began when a whale was spotted surfacing in Barkley Sound….
read on
read on
RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
Popular Mechanics
When a large marine mammal like a whale dies, its body drifts to the ocean floor in a process known as whale fall. For more than a decade, a succession of sea creatures will live off of the whale’s body by stripping it and burrowing into the bones to find nutrients….
read on
read on
CBS News
More than 30 pilot whales that stranded themselves on a beach in New Zealand were safely returned to the ocean after conservation workers and residents helped to refloat them by lifting them on sheets….
read on
read on
Phys.Org
Hunted nearly to extinction during 20th century whaling, the Antarctic blue whale, the world’s largest animal, went from a population size of roughly 200,000 to little more than 300. The most recent estimate in 2004 put Antarctic blue whales at less than 1% of their pre-whaling levels….
read on
read on