Humpback Whales, Orca, Minke Whales as well as a Fin Whale with Dolphins and Porpoise Galore.
So much whale, dolphin and porpoise activity out there! It seems they are everywhere and more species than usual in our inside waters. The Northern Georgia Strait has been a hotspot for Humpback Whales and even a Minke Whale graced the area. Sechelt till has at least one Grey Whale who disappears when Transient Bigg’s are in the area. The top of Johnstone Strait is riddled with Northern Resident Orca, but fewer Humpbacks. But more to come on that in another report. We welcome our many new reporters! Every sightings report is valuable and appreciated.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
REPORT LOCATIONS MAP
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society
Call 1-877-323-9776or Emailyour report.
TRANSIENT BIGG’S KILLER WHALES
Mon Aug 24 2015
15:22 • Bigg`s Orca heading South close to the Hernando Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Radio, overheard or call out
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:37 • 6 Bigg`s Orca hunting, by Major Rock off Lund, Malaspina Strait. Big male was tight against the shore and did manage to take a seal. ▫ On Scene
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:36 • Bigg`s Orca heading South by Grant Reefs 5 miles off Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait. ?T100s? ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
11:58 • 6 Bigg`s Orca heading South in Thulin Passage, Copeland Islands. From Misty Isles. ▫ Second Hand
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
09:55 • Bigg`s Orca mid-channel almost even with Mitlenatch Island on the Vancouver Island side Georgia Strait.
Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures
08:30 • 3 Bigg`s Orca heading towards Oak Bay, Victoria Harbour. While walking along the waterfront. The big male had a huge dorsal! They were tight to the pier. ▫ Observed from Shore
Ken Webb, Victoria
07:49 • Bigg`s Orca turned, heading South by Steep Island, Quadra Island side Discovery Passage. Watching from the Painter’s dock. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jordan McLean, Painter’s Lodge
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sun Aug 23 2015
18:45 • Bigg`s Orca hunting, at Twin Islands below Cortez Island. They’re hunting seals along the shore.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
17:17 • 3 Bigg`s Orca heading East between Penn Islands and Read Island, Sutil Channel. All small fins.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:30 • 5 Bigg`s Orca heading West from Mermaid Cove, Saltery Bay Park, Malaspina Strait. We were fortunate enough to see a pod of at least 5 orca enter Mermaid’s Cove (Saltery Bay provincial park) today. Several members of the pod looked quite small. They surfaced again a little less than a km away, and then kept heading west.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat Aug 22 2015
17:25 • 4 Bigg`s Orca hunting, heading towards Evans Bay. ?T002Cs? Wow 002C’s performing……002C washed a seal off the rocks just before Evans Bay. Finished off kill,. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
15:42 • 2 Bigg`s Orca heading North, Seymour Narrows. One big male and one small one spotted. ▫ Second Hand
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:50 • 5 Bigg`s Orca heading North by Myrtle Rocks, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Looks like a small group of about 5 including a big one and I think two little ones.Very disappointing to see some boats out there not keeping the appropriate speed and distance. ▫ Observed from Shore
Holly Roy, Powell River
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
12:15 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading North off Whalen Road towards Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. 3 possibly 4 whales close to shore near Whalen Road south of town. travelling towards Myrtle Point. 1 female with calf. They were travelling too fast to identify the other whale or whales. ▫ Observed from Shore
Liz Kennedy, Powell River
12:13 • 4 Bigg`s Orca hunting, heading North heading for Penn Islands other two along Coulter Island, Sutil Channel. ?T002Cs, Tumbo and Rocky?
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
11:48 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading South leaving Subtle Islands heading towards Cortez Island, Sutil Channel. ?T002Cs?
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
Randy Hodge, Vancouver
Sat Aug 22 2015
08:37 • 3 Bigg`s Orca heading North at Eagle Cove, Discovery Passage. 3 animals, 2 males one small fin.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri Aug 21 2015
??:?? • 5 Bigg`s Orca by the Sechelt Inlet, Agamemnon Channel. So disturbing to see these boats getting way too close.
Cornelia van Berkel, Sechelt, BC
Thu Aug 20 2015
16:03 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading South off the North tip of Hornby Island, Georgia Strait. ?T100s? Fresh Satellite tag on T100C. ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:08 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading South-East 6 miles off Denman Island shoreline abeam the rock quarry on Texada Island, Georgia Strait. ?T100s?
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Transient Bigg’ s Killer Whales
Thu Aug 20 2015 – 7 photos
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
12:50 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading South on Ferry line between Powell River and Comox Harbour 5.4 Nautical miles off Georgia Strait.
10:48 • 4 Bigg`s Orca hunting, heading South off Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait. They’re in stealth mode until they went on the hunt for a porpoise. They’d come up one or two times and down for 10 minutes over an hour. ▫ On Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
08:37 • Bigg`s Orca heading South fast at the Fishing Hump off Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. travelling fast.
Jordan McLean, Painter’s Lodge
Sat Aug 15 2015
12:50 • 1 Bigg`s Orca at Manson Road end of the Trail Islands, Sechelt. I was on the beach at the end of Mason Road at the time. I didn’t get any other pictures, only saw the orca for a few seconds when I first arrived and didn’t see any markings or any others around. Waited for half an hour but didn’t see again. ▫ Observed from Shore
Karen Holland, Gibsons, BC
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Sun Aug 23 2015
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Aug 22 2015
Radio, overheard or call out
14:11 • NRKW Orca off Cracroft Point, Johnstone Strait.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Fri Aug 21 2015
Radio, overheard or call out
Wed Aug 19 2015
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Thu Aug 13 2015
Peter Hamilton
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Sat Aug 22 2015
13:30 • 12 Orca heading East 3 km West of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, Tsawwassen Beach. We do want to make mention that there was a (green) whale watching boat out there as well. We were very surprised to see a commercial whale watching boat with people on board, chasing the whales, in every direction, very close, to get the best photo op possible. We are are under the impression that there is a limit as to how close they can approach?.
Marcy & Chuck Watt
Thu Aug 20 2015
13:30 • 12 Orca heading East 2 km West of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal. We were heading home in our boat when a pod(s) of Orcas appeared out of nowhere and began swimming along with us. Port side, Starboard side, Bow & Stern. We were caught right in the middle. We slowed our boat down to an idle. We lost count at a dozen. One large one. Pairs swimming and coming up together. Singles every where. I did not have a camera, but shot lots of video on my iPhone. All in all, it was an amazing experience to see these majestic creatures swimming in their natural environment.
Marcy & Chuck Watt
Wed Aug 19 2015
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Aug 17 2015
16:00 • 12 Orca breaching, about 5 mile North of Pender Harbour, Georgia Strait. multiple breaches!.
R. Davis
HUMPBACK WHALES
Mon Aug 24 2015
17:38 • 3 Humpback Whale doing circles, heading North by Marina Reef while KC and friend are at Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ?BCY0291, KC and friend?
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
16:46 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North leaving Okisollo Channel into Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
Jillian, Sonora Lodge
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:06 • 1 Humpback Whale off Lake Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel. Humpback was a larger animal then I first thought…..35ft maybe. Foraging for what must be Krill.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
10:16 • 1 Humpback Whale between Hill Island and Centre Islet, Sutil Channel. Quite small…..could be a calf….no tail fluke.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Aug 23 2015
18:17 • 4 Humpback Whale between Mitlenatch Island and Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait. At least 4 Humpbacks…they converged here. Doing long dives.
Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive
16:46 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North at Sentry Shoal angling towards Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:26 • 2 Humpback Whale foraging, off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ?BCY0291, KC and white tailed friend? Looks like their eating krill.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:11 • 3 Humpback Whale foraging, off Cracroft Point, Johnstone Strait.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
09:42 • 1 Humpback Whale heading North between the Red Can Buoy and Vancouver Island Shoreline Discovery Passage.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Jordan McLean, Painter’s Lodge
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat Aug 22 2015
19:32 • 2 Humpback Whale breaching, heading South just past Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage. One breach and surfacing lots.
Laura, Aboriginal Journey’s Office
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
16:54 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North slowly 400 meters off the North end of Marina Island. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:16 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North off Grant Reefs heading towards Savary Island, Shearwater Passage.
Josh Grin, Pacific Pro Dive
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
14:08 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North right in front of Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Possibly the same ones that were spotted by Bates Beach above Comox earlier in the day.
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:24 • 2 Humpback Whale in a line off Centre Island and Twin Bay mid-channel towards Sutil Channel.
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri Aug 21 2015
Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:57 • 2 Humpback Whale doing circles, at Whaletown Bay. They’re doing big circles!. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
11:47 • 3 Humpback Whale in the Subtle Islands, Whaletown Bay area Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
Thu Aug 20 2015
15:22 • 1 Humpback Whale heading North mid-strait 1 mile South of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
15:20 • 1 Humpback Whale approx 2 miles off Tree Island.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
12:15 • 2 Humpback Whale heading South off North Thormanby Island. My sister and I saw two whales (I don’t know what kind but they had a large fluke), off of North Thormanby yesterday traveling the length of the island from north to south. Two women on the northwest point of North Thormanby had a telescope out on the point and were also watching the whales. It was the first time in 20 years that I have seen whales in the Strait of Georgia – but I’m only here a week or two every summer.
Rachel Forward
09:33 • 1 Humpback Whale between Francisco Point and Marina Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Aug 19 2015
17:30 • 2 Humpback Whale heading South between Hill Island and Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Wed Aug 19 2015 – 6 photos
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Kurt Stapes, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:44 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North heading into Whale Passage by Rendezvous Islands top of Sutil Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Tue Aug 18 2015
19:20 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North off the most Westerly end of the Trail Islands then moved off towards Sargeant Bay, Sechelt. Tthey spent an hour in the area then moved of. I was able to see one of them roll over and display his flipper. ▫ Observed from Shore
Judy Marusiak, Sechelt
MINKE WHALES
Mon Aug 24 2015
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Sat Aug 22 2015
10:54 • 1 Minke Whale doing circles, at the South end of Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
GREY WHALES
Fri Aug 21 2015
15:00 • 1 Grey Whale heading North from Roberts Creek towards Davis Bay, Georgia Strait. He was swimming back and forth at the Picnic Area by Roberts Creek..
Brandi Mladenich
Sun Aug 16 2015
15:00 • 1 Grey Whale foraging, from Henderson Bay to Davis Bay, Sechelt. Between 1:30pm to about 3:00pm and most of the afternoon and evening seen along the shoreline. ▫ Observed from Shore
Georgena Good, Sechelt
Tue Aug 18 2015
12:30 • 1 Grey Whale close to the pier at Davis Bay headed towards Sechelt, Georgia Strait. I saw the grey whale blow close to the Davis Bay pier. A lot of people were on the pier watching the whale at the time as it was in close to shore, I couldn’t stop so didn’t get any pictures.
Karen Holland, Gibsons, BC
Grey Whale
August, 2015 – 3 photos
Karen Holland, Gibsons
FIN WHALES
Sat Aug 15 2015
19:45 • 1 Fin Whale passing Gaviola Island and Acorn Island, Gabriola Island. Saw a single fin whale pass by Gaviola and Acorn Islands heading south at 7:45 pm, then 20 minutes later saw it return the other way. We typically see orcas here every year but have never seen a fin whale. This was the biggest whale of any species we’ve ever seen here. The whale we saw had a very smooth spine, not bumpy behind the fin like the humpbacks we have seen. It also appeared sleeker and longer than any humpback we have seen, almost “serpent-like” when it dove. The fin was also larger and more curved than the fins we have seen on the humpbacks. There was another sighting last night (aug 18th) off Carlos Island of a very large whale by the caretaker of Tugboat Island. It was distant so he indicated he was not sure which one, but much larger than any orca he has seen. ▫ Observed from Shore
Mark Bishop
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Mon Aug 24 2015
13:45 • 100 PWS Dolphins heading North by Sonora Fish farm in Nodales Channel headed to Frederick Arm.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Aug 23 2015
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sat Aug 22 2015
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Jillian, Sonora Lodge
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Fri Aug 21 2015
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:07 • 75 PWS Dolphins in Denham Bay, Dent Rapids.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Fri Aug 21 2015 – 3 photos
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
Thu Aug 20 2015
Kurt Stapes, Eagle Eye Adventures
Radio, overheard or call out
DALL’S PORPOISE
Mon Aug 24 2015
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun Aug 23 2015
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Sat Aug 22 2015
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society
Call 1-877-323-9776or Emailyour report.