Humpbacks Breaching!
Cover Image:
Humpback Whale Breaching!
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
It is always exciting to see whales, dolphins, and porpoises. What makes the sightings even more memorable is when Cetaceans breach, meaning they rise out of the water vertically before they fall back to the water. Our cover image shows a Humpback whale breaching and a number of Humpbacks have been observed breaching over the past few weeks. Other species that breach are Orca and some dolphins. There were many sightings of Transient Orca; some were observed in Burrard Inlet in the Vancouver and many others were seen in upper Georgia Strait and adjacent waterways. One Grey whale was seen around White Rock (in the Lower Mainland) for a few days at the end of May. Rounding our report are sightings of Pacific White-Sided dolphins – some of the dolphins were in small pods of ten individuals while other dolphins travelled in larger pods with up to fifty to seventy individuals.
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, 2026.” 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
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Thank you all for your kind and continuing donations. Your support is greatly appreciated – we can't do it without you.
Thank you all for your kind and continuing donations. Your support is greatly appreciated – we can't do it without you.
PRISMA on the Beach:
If you are Powell River on Saturday, June 28, 2025 the annual PRISMA free concert will be at Willingdon Beach. There are food vendors and WOWs will be there with our information table. Stop by and say hello!
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. We apologize for delays, but we are volunteers working on this.
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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.
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2025-006
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Thu May 22 2025
08:04 • est. 4+ Biggs Orca heading north off Rebecca Rocks in Malaspina Strait. One big orca observed. Orcas observed 3/4 out towards Rebecca rocks.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:14 • est. 7 Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ milling, near Hurtado Point in Malaspina Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:20 • Biggs Orca ◦T019s◦ between Savary Island and Lund in Malaspina Strait. T019s and friends observed.
Radio, overheard or call out
16:42 • est. 3 Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading west, Vancouver Harbour, Burrard Inlet. At least 3 orca seen from the Seabus crossing closer to the North Vancouver side. ▫ From Ferry
Ashpreet Thind, Vancouver, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading west, Vancouver Harbour, Burrard Inlet
Thu, 22 May 2025 – 1 items
Ashpreet Thind, Vancouver, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading west, Vancouver Harbour, Burrard Inlet
Thu, 22 May 2025 – 1 items
Ashpreet Thind, Vancouver, BC
Fri May 23 2025
12:28 • Biggs Orca heading south in front of Teakerne Arm, Lewis Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:12 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south, Squirrel Cove, Cortes Island, Lewis Channel. Orcas all had small fins.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sat May 24 2025
12:34 • Biggs Orca between Kellsey Point and Yuculta Rapids, Yuculta Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:01 • est. 4 Biggs Orca heading east along the south part of Stuart Island towards Henrietta Point in Bute Inlet. One big fin observed.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:28 • Biggs Orca heading north by Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage.
15:54 • est. 3 Biggs Orca heading north from Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
16:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T019s◦ spread out, heading north passing Campbell River in Discovery Passage. The pods were 1 km apart.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sun May 25 2025
13:15 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading south-east along the shore of Raza Island, Deer Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
18:56 • est. 4 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading west between North Vancouver and Stanley Park, Burrard Inlet. The Orcas were seen swimming away from the harbour. ▫ Observed from Shore
Philip Rowland, Vancouver, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading west between North Vancouver and Stanley Park, Burrard Inlet
Sun, 25 May 2025 – 1 items
Philip Rowland, Vancouver, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading west between North Vancouver and Stanley Park, Burrard Inlet
Sun, 25 May 2025 – 1 items
Philip Rowland, Vancouver, BC
Mon May 26 2025
16:33 • Biggs Orca out past Walcan Seafood Plant, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Wed May 28 2025
13:00 • Biggs Orca by Devils Hole, Dent Rapids.
15:31 • Biggs Orca in Calm Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Thu May 29 2025
12:00 • Biggs Orca outside Ramsay Arm in Pryce Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:45 • 5 Biggs Orca heading north approaching Double Island, Pryce Channel. One male in the group. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading north approaching Double Island, Pryce Channel
Thu, 29 May 2025 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading north approaching Double Island, Pryce Channel
Thu, 29 May 2025 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri May 30 2025
07:30 • est. 4+ Biggs Orca heading south close to Westview, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading south close to Westview, Powell River, Malaspina Strait
Fri, 30 May 2025 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading south close to Westview, Powell River, Malaspina Strait
Fri, 30 May 2025 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat May 31 2025
12:46 • Biggs Orca heading north off of Powell River Viewpoint in Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading north off of Powell River Viewpoint in Malaspina Strait
Sat, 31 May 2025 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading north off of Powell River Viewpoint in Malaspina Strait
Sat, 31 May 2025 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:03 • Biggs Orca heading north approaching Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper) in Malaspina Strait.
13:55 • est. 5 Biggs Orca heading north off of Sliammon / Tla’amin Nation in Malaspina Strait. Possibly T100s.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sun Jun 01 2025
09:22 • est. 3+ Biggs Orca heading south between Cape Mudge Lighthouse and Willow Point, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Jun 02 2025
15:14 • Biggs Orca by Salmon Point, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Tue Jun 03 2025
10:14 • Biggs Orca heading north off Willow Point, south of Campbell River, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:33 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T125A,T128◦ heading north off Painters Lodge, north of Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading north off Painters Lodge, north of Campbell River, Discovery Passage
Tue, 3 Jun 2025 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading north off Painters Lodge, north of Campbell River, Discovery Passage
Tue, 3 Jun 2025 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:15 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T125A,T128◦ heading north approaching Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:40 • Biggs Orca off McMullen Point, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Thu Jun 05 2025
10:00 • Biggs Orca around Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:40 • 8 Biggs Orca heading north off the Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel. 3 miles off the shack.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading north off the Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel
Thu, 5 Jun 2025 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading north off the Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel
Thu, 5 Jun 2025 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:38 • 8 Biggs Orca milling, near Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
HUMPBACK WHALES
Wed May 21 2025
21:25 • est. 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, in front of Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, Ucluelet, Pacific Ocean. ▫ Observed from Shore
GA, Ucluelet, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales moving slowly, in front of Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, Ucluelet, Pacific Ocean
Wed, 21 May 2025 – 1 items
GA, Ucluelet, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales moving slowly, in front of Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, Ucluelet, Pacific Ocean
Wed, 21 May 2025 – 1 items
GA, Ucluelet, BC
Thu May 22 2025
10:19 • Humpback Whales out from Miracle Beach Park in Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat May 24 2025
13:10 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0324 Big Mama◦ travelling, heading south-west just south of East Point, Saturna Island mid channel in Boundary Pass. Observed with calf. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
RA, North Saanich, BC
Sun May 25 2025
10:33 • Humpback Whales by Granite Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon May 26 2025
11:47 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south, north of No Name Creek, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales heading south, north of No Name Creek, Discovery Passage
Mon, 26 May 2025 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales heading south, north of No Name Creek, Discovery Passage
Mon, 26 May 2025 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:30 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, heading south near Granite Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. The whale was also seen pec slapping.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Tue May 27 2025
09:34 • Humpback Whales off Steep Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:54 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south at Owen Point, Nodales Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:39 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north near Cyril Rock, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Wed May 28 2025
13:45 • Humpback Whales by Willow Point, Georgia Strait.
15:23 • Humpback Whales ◦BCX1852 Raza◦ in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat May 31 2025
–:– • est. 1 Humpback Whales off of Westview, Powell River in Malaspina Strait. Humpback heading out. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales off of Westview, Powell River in Malaspina Strait
Sat, 31 May 2025 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales off of Westview, Powell River in Malaspina Strait
Sat, 31 May 2025 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Mon Jun 02 2025
13:00 • est. 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ out from Shelter Point, south of Campbell River, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Tue Jun 03 2025
08:49 • Humpback Whales heading north by Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Wed Jun 04 2025
09:05 • Humpback Whales breaching, just south of Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island in Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:05 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south-west 2 miles southwest of Mitlenatch Island in Georgia Strait. BCYuk2024#5 ‘Vine’ is one of the whales identified.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sat Jun 07 2025
09:31 • 2 Humpback Whales outside of Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage.
15:51 • Humpback Whales at Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
GREY WHALES
Sat May 24 2025
15:45 • est. 1 Grey Whales moving slowly, heading south-west from Semiahmoo Bay in Georgia Strait. Going up and down alot. Very shallow bay. ▫ Observed from Shore
BF, BC
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Thu May 22 2025
13:30 • est. 6+ PWS Dolphins at Dent Island in Dent Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri May 23 2025
12:15 • est. 20-25 PWS Dolphins back and forth, close to Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins back and forth, close to Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait
Fri, 23 May 2025 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins back and forth, close to Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait
Fri, 23 May 2025 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat May 24 2025
10:45 • PWS Dolphins off Denman Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun May 25 2025
17:00 • est. 7+ PWS Dolphins seen from Roland Point along Skookumchuck Narrows, Sechelt Inlet. ▫ Observed from Shore
Britnay Jellicoe, Egmont, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins seen from Roland Point along Skookumchuck Narrows, Sechelt Inlet
Sun, 25 May 2025 – 2 items
Britnay Jellicoe, Egmont, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins seen from Roland Point along Skookumchuck Narrows, Sechelt Inlet
Sun, 25 May 2025 – 2 items
Britnay Jellicoe, Egmont, BC
Mon May 26 2025
12:10 • est. 50+ PWS Dolphins near McMullen Point, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins near McMullen Point, Discovery Passage
Mon, 26 May 2025 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins near McMullen Point, Discovery Passage
Mon, 26 May 2025 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:15 • est. 20 PWS Dolphins heading east by Bjerre Rock, Okisollo Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Wed May 28 2025
17:50 • PWS Dolphins off Copper Cliffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat May 31 2025
11:49 • est. 50+ PWS Dolphins foraging, heading towards Harwood Island from Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Viewed from the seawalk. Very active. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins foraging, heading towards Harwood Island from Powell River, Malaspina Strait
Sat, 31 May 2025 – 8 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins foraging, heading towards Harwood Island from Powell River, Malaspina Strait
Sat, 31 May 2025 – 8 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sun Jun 01 2025
12:22 • PWS Dolphins off Horn Point, Dent Rapids. Large group.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Jun 02 2025
15:30 • est. 60-70 PWS Dolphins milling, between Horn Point and Denham Islet, Dent Rapids. Two different pods were observed.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins milling, between Horn Point and Denham Islet, Dent Rapids
Mon, 2 Jun 2025 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins milling, between Horn Point and Denham Islet, Dent Rapids
Mon, 2 Jun 2025 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Tue Jun 03 2025
09:10 • PWS Dolphins, south of Campbell River Fishing Pier, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Wed Jun 04 2025
11:02 • PWS Dolphins at Sentry Shoal in Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
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