Cetacean Sightings: Killer Whales, Dolphins Everywhere and a few Other Species

Transient Bigg’s Orca spent 4 hours in front of Powell River then did their usual disappearing act! Pacific White Sided Dolphins are in numbers up the inlets with a few Dall’s Porpoise close by. There was also a possible Humpback or Grey Whale. A reminder to please call or submit your sightings reports. We’d rather hear twenty times about the same sighting than not at all.

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?

Call 1-877-323-9776or Emailyour report.

Every sighting report is valuable!

11:56 am two pods of Orca by Quathiaski Cove, Campbell River northbound.

Note: This was a second or third hand report and the whales were never spotted again from shore or whale watching boats on the water throughout the day. Did YOU see them? Please report it! SM

1:30 pm We had an encounter with 5 members of the T 124A’s around 1330hrs. A tiny calf was present. We found this group on the Canadian side of Haro Strait, heading north.

12:19 pm 3 at least Orca just south of Grief Point heading Northward. From a tugboat skipper talking to another boat.

12:56 pm Just spotted 3+ Orca Northbound past Grief Point including 2 large males – also a big blow from either a Humpback or Grey Whale (see separate report below). By 1:20 pm they stalled on a kill half way between VanAnda and Blubber Bay, Texada. I watched till almost 2 pm while they breached and threw their tails high in the air. I saw a total of 5 breaches and a bunch of tail lobs. Unfortunately, again, I had no chance to get on the water.

1:50 pm Picked up the Orca just finishing up on a meal.

3:14 pm They’re now at Rebecca Rocks, Powell River Northbound very slowly. I saw 6 Orca for sure including T02C’s.

4:10 pm Left the Orca still slowly Northbound past Vivian Island looks like they’re going to Grant’s Reef. It was a great tour with an Eagle swooping in to pick up some of the scraps. It was the best performance of the season, so far!

Wasn’t too far behind Garry. T02C’s and T123’s heading out towards Vivian Island now. Left them at 4:10 pm angling slightly towards Grant’s Reef off Savary Island

8:00 am Just seen a small group of dolphins, about five, close to shore off Pebble Beach near Myrtle Rocks. I believe they are feeding as they are not really going anywhere, just long dives and milling around. How do they stay down for so long? Amazing!

P.S. On our trip to Vancouver last Thursday, May 16, from the Saltery Bay 9:20 am ferry we were alerted by the captain that dolphins were coming up on the starboard bow. There were lots of them, maybe about fifty, but hard to count, as they were going by so fast. They were leaping right out of the water and putting on a fine show! Sorry for the late report.

10 am Large group of PWS Dolphins heading into Bute Inlet by Johnson Bluff.

11:30 am A dozen PWS Dolphins just East of Aran Rapids, Bute Inlet.

12 pm Large number of PWS Dolphins heading up Bute Inlet spread out from Aran Rapids to Fawn Bluff.

3:46 pm 100 PWS Dolphins at the mouth of Aran Rapids in Bute foraging all over.

4:47 pm 25 more PWS Dolphins Northbound by Deepwater Bay.

1:18 pm Half a dozen PWS Dolphins on the way up towards Bute Inlet.

3:30 pm 100 PWS Dolphins spread out in different groups between Henrietta Point and Fawn Bluff, Bute Inlet. They’re foraging.

9:45 am 50 PWS Dolphins by McMullen Point, Discovery Passage Northbound.

10:55 am The Dolphins are now at the mouth of Okisollo Channel.

12:44 pm About 25 PWS Dolphins scattered and moving quickly Northward. I expect the Orca (see above) aren’t too far behind.

1:49 pm 10 PWS Dolphins by Deepwater Bay in Discovery Passage.

5:30 pm PWS Dolphins near Brown’s Bay. Elvis had them, not sure how many or direction.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours

4:10 pm 4 Dall’s Porpoise Southbound by Hole in the Wall.

3 pm 4 Dall’s bow riding at the mouth of Bute Inlet.

12:56 pm As the Orca headed towards Texada I spotted a large blow that came from either a smaller Humpback Whale or a Grey Whale.

The blows I saw headed South. Didn’t see any flukes. Guess he/she just wanted to get out of the way of the Transient Bigg’s KW’s

9:12 am Just saw a big blow Northbound past the Westview ferry terminal heading towards Atrevida Reef. I think it’s a humpback, but again, the blow is shaped more like a Grey Whale. Possibly the whale figured it was finally safe to head North.

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise? Call 1-877-323-9776 or Emailyour report. Every sighting report is valuable!