Watching Whales – A Gift!
Cover Image:
A trio of humpbacks surfacing as one!
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Here in British Columbia, we are very fortunate to live in a beautiful environment with a diversity of life on land and on the sea. It is a gift to us to be able to enjoy this land and the contentment that nature provides us. Whales, dolphins, and porpoises are no exception as they always bring excitement and elation. Although rainy and cold weather over Winter months make it challenging to view Cetaceans, make good use of the occasional clear weather that may provide you with the opportunities to see them. Whales, dolphins, and porpoises are still around. Reports are still being received of whales and dolphins in different parts of upper Georgia Strait. As with any gift, treasure and value the importance of Cetaceans in our ecosystems and culture, and work towards protecting them.
From the Wild Ocean Whale Society, we express our Gratitude for your sighting reports and other ways you support our Organization. We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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 all 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
Donatons:
Donations can be made directly by e-transfer to accounting@ wows.org (remove the space after the @) as well as through our Donate button on our website pages.
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.
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.
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 35,000+ 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: 2025-015
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Fri Nov 14 2025
10:30 • est. 4 Biggs Orca breaching, heading north between Savary Island and Lund, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
AB, Lund, BC
Mon Nov 17 2025
12:10 • 3 Biggs Orca heading north just below the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading north just below the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait
Mon, 17 Nov 2025 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading north just below the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait
Mon, 17 Nov 2025 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Wed Dec 03 2025
–:– • 1 Biggs Orca travelling, heading south-east between Myrtle Point and Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Elizabeth Kennedy, Powell River, BC
09:49 • Biggs Orca between Powell River Viewpoint and Coho (Kiddie) Point, Malaspina Strait. Initially, one large Orca observed changing directions. At 10:10, more Orca were observed southbound by Texada Island.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat Dec 06 2025
12:58 • Biggs Orca heading south off Sliammon / Tla’amin Nation, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading south off Sliammon / Tla’amin Nation, Malaspina Strait
Sat, 6 Dec 2025 – 7 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading south off Sliammon / Tla’amin Nation, Malaspina Strait
Sat, 6 Dec 2025 – 7 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Thu Dec 11 2025
12:12 • est. 2+ Biggs Orca south of Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait. Two large Orca.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Mon Dec 15 2025
11:50 • 5 Biggs Orca heading west towards Saltery Bay, Jervis Inlet. One big fin (male) in the pod. ▫ From Ferry
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Fri Nov 28 2025
16:00 • est. 4+ NRKW Orca heading south west of Savary Island, Georgia Strait. 1 tall fin, long way away, still vocalizing.
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Fri Dec 19 2025
10:20 • est. 5+ SRKW Orca spread out, heading north-west between Black (Albion) Point and Myrtle Rocks mid Malaspina Strait. At 10:40, another 4 Orca were observed spread out in the strait heading in the same direction. ▫ Observed from Shore
Elizabeth Kennedy, Powell River, BC
11:14 • SRKW Orca spread out, between Grief Point and Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Big group.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Southern Resident Killer Whales
Southern Resident Killer Whales spread out, between Grief Point and Texada Island, Malaspina Strait
Fri, 19 Dec 2025 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Southern Resident Killer Whales
Southern Resident Killer Whales spread out, between Grief Point and Texada Island, Malaspina Strait
Fri, 19 Dec 2025 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:24 • 4 SRKW Orca heading north mid-strait in front of Westview, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Large group with lead Orca off Westview.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
16:18 • SRKW Orca heading south off the Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Wed Nov 26 2025
11:00 • 2 Orca moving slowly, heading south mid-channel between Swartz Bay and Piers Island, Sidney Channel. Stayed around in one place, looking like they were feeding, but also tail slapping and occasional breaching. ▫ From Ferry
JA, BC
Fri Nov 28 2025
13:50 • Orca between Mystery Reef and Grant Reefs, Malaspina Strait. Hearing a few very talkative Orca on the hydrophone.
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
Tue Dec 02 2025
12:30 • est. 5+ Orca heading north to the north of Blubber Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca heading north to the north of Blubber Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait
Tue, 2 Dec 2025 – 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca heading north to the north of Blubber Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait
Tue, 2 Dec 2025 – 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
HUMPBACK WHALES
Fri Nov 14 2025
10:30 • est. 3 Humpback Whales breaching, heading north between Savary Island and Lund, Malaspina Strait. I observed 3 humpbacks and a pod of 4 Orcas off the southern end off Savary Island for about 4 hours from my home on the cliff in Lund. The Orcas have left but the Humpbacks are still here, doing deep dives and occasionally slapping their fins or tails on the water. ▫ Observed from Shore
AB, Lund, BC
Sun Nov 16 2025
09:23 • Humpback Whales foraging and breaching, between Coho (Kiddie) Point and Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
11:09 • est. 3-4 Humpback Whales in front of the Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait. Viewed from the Powell River ferry terminal. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Davis, BC
11:30 • est. 3 Humpback Whales taking long dives, milling, heading north-west in front of First Beach/Hulks off Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper). Taking 10 minute dives! Very exciting!. ▫ Observed from Shore
CA, Powell River, BC
Mon Nov 17 2025
09:56 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales west of Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait.
09:56 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south half way from Westview to Coho (Kiddie) Point, Malaspina Strait.
11:23 • Humpback Whales foraging, between Rebecca Rocks and Coho (Kiddie) Point, Malaspina Strait. Lots of HBs and lots of birds.
SW, Powell River, BC
14:30 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Mace Point, Malaspina Strait.
14:30 • 3 Humpback Whales foraging, between Hurtado Point and Mace Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
14:39 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north a third of the way between the Powell River Viewpoint and the Texada Island cell tower, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Tue Nov 18 2025
12:05 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales tail slaps, heading north near Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait.
SW, Powell River, BC
13:15 • 1 Humpback Whales moving quickly, heading south-east off Hurtado Point, Malaspina Strait. Observed from Dinghy.
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
15:56 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north off Coho (Kiddie) Point at the NW tip of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
15:56 • 4 Humpback Whales off the south end of Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait. Big blows. Big float of birds south side of Rebecca Rocks.
SW, Powell River, BC
17:00 • 3 Humpback Whales foraging, in front of Lund, Malaspina Strait.
17:00 • 1 Humpback Whales south of Lund.
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
Wed Nov 19 2025
09:32 • est. 3+ Humpback Whales just past Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait. Surrounded by vast flocks of birds.
SW, Powell River, BC
10:46 • Humpback Whales breaching, south end of Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Thu Nov 20 2025
09:53 • est. 5+ Humpback Whales breaching, off Coho (Kiddie) Point at the NW tip of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Humpbacks spread out from Coho Point to Harwood Island. Lots of birds, all feeding.
SW, Powell River, BC
Wed Nov 26 2025
11:25 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales between Powell River Viewpoint and south of Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait. Barely breaking the surface.
11:25 • 1 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Coho (Kiddie) Point, Malaspina Strait.
12:28 • est. 10+ Humpback Whales between Coho (Kiddie) Point and Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Fri Nov 28 2025
14:15 • Humpback Whales between Mystery Reef and Grant Reefs, Malaspina Strait. Hearing Humpbacks singing on the hydrophone.
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
Sun Nov 30 2025
13:15 • est. 3+ Humpback Whales pectoral slaps, heading north, south of Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Wed Dec 03 2025
11:18 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between the Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs) and the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat Dec 06 2025
12:58 • 7+ Humpback Whales in line between Coho (Kiddie) Point and Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Wed Dec 10 2025
15:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north, 900-m out from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Thu Dec 11 2025
12:12 • 5 Humpback Whales spread out, off of Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Sat Dec 13 2025
10:25 • est. 5+ Humpback Whales mid channel between Harwood Island Spit and Gibsons Beach, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Mon Dec 15 2025
09:19 • 1 Humpback Whales tail lobs, off Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Wed Dec 17 2025
09:10 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south in front of Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. Close in.
SW, Powell River, BC
09:38 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south almost to Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
09:38 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south just south of Cyril Rock, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
09:38 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south just north of Powell River Westview Harbour, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales heading south just north of Powell River Westview Harbour, Malaspina Strait
Wed, 17 Dec 2025 – 9 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales heading south just north of Powell River Westview Harbour, Malaspina Strait
Wed, 17 Dec 2025 – 9 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Thu Dec 18 2025
09:44 • est. 2 Humpback Whales breaching, mid-channel off the Texada Island cell tower, Malaspina Strait. Breached at least 5 times, possibly 10. Huge splashes about 3-4 times the size of the other waves. When I put the big scope on it I could see the body and fin. There might be two of them. Might be moving south slowly.
Heather Harbord, Powell River, BC
Fri Dec 19 2025
08:15 • 4 Humpback Whales foraging, off Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait.
09:00 • 2 Humpback Whales close to Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales close to Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait
Fri, 19 Dec 2025 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales close to Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait
Fri, 19 Dec 2025 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
10:15 • 1 Humpback Whales travelling, heading north-west mid-channel between Black (Albion) Point and Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Elizabeth Kennedy, Powell River, BC
14:49 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales heading south off the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
16:21 • Humpback Whales tail lobs, near Gibsons Beach, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat Dec 20 2025
10:27 • 2 Humpback Whales foraging, off Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Dave Jevons, BC
13:00 • 2 Humpback Whales close in off Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales close in off Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait
Sat, 20 Dec 2025 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales close in off Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait
Sat, 20 Dec 2025 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
15:50 • 2 Humpback Whales off Hurtado Point, Malaspina Strait. The 2 whales are doing lots of breathing at the surface. Both have white tails. Observed from Dinner Rock campground. ▫ Observed from Shore
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
Sun Dec 21 2025
14:00 • est. 3-5 Humpback Whales breaching, heading south to the east of Kendrick Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
MB, Kodiak, AK, USA
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Wed Nov 19 2025
12:00 • est. 15+ PWS Dolphins doing circles, heading north-east, Sechelt, Georgia Strait. A bunch of them swimming together, slightly jumping. Seen some sea lions swimming with them too, it seems like theyâ??re feeding . They came by the pier and right by the conveyer belt. ▫ Observed from Shore
Brittany Kanak, Sechelt, BC
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The Magazine
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U.B.C. Science
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RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
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SciTechDaily
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