Orca Soup with Plenty of Humpbacks and Pacific White Sided Dolphins
A large number of Northern Resident Killer Whales graced our inside waters into Nodales Channel where they met up with a large group of Pacific White Sided Dolphins. Some Transient Bigg’s were just outside the channel at the same time making the activity hard to follow. There is thought that some of the Bigg’s continued up Johnstone Strait, but all that was confirmed were a number of family pods of the Northern Residents. Humpback Whales kept a low profile during that time, perhaps due to the excitement of having the Residents in, but they have certainly been holding around the top of Georgia Strait and in Sutil Channel. Grey Whales, Dall’s and Harbour Porpoise round out this report.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Call 1-877-323-9776or Email your report.
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TRANSIENT BIGG’S KILLER WHALES
Tue Aug 18 2015
18:48 • Bigg`s Orca by Steep Island, Discovery Passage. Same place, still bucking the flood tide. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
17:49 • 5 Bigg`s Orca They’re crossing the channel, bucking the tide. ▫ On Scene
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
17:21 • 6 Bigg`s Orca heading North mid channel abeam Steep Island.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
16:55 • 5 Bigg`s Orca heading North mid channel by Steep Island.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:01 • Bigg`s Orca turned, heading North by April Point. ▫ Second Hand
15:36 • 5 Bigg`s Orca heading South ▫ Second Hand
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:40 • Bigg`s Orca heading North by Cape Mudge.
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
Fri Aug 14 2015
18:28 • Bigg`s Orca doing circles, circling Powell Islets above Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
18:04 • Bigg`s Orca heading West, Baker Passage. ?T18s, T19s, T124s? ▫ On Scene
Jordan McLean, Painter’s Lodge
16:20 • Bigg`s Orca off Kinghorn Island, Desolation Sound. ?T18s, T19s, T124s? This was where the Orca that were in Okeover Inlet were last spotted before the vessel Misty Isle left the scene.
Radio, overheard or call out from vessel Misty Isle
16:19 • Bigg`s Orca heading South past Salmon Point, Georgia Strait. ?T37As? ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Bigg’ s Killer Whales
Fri Aug 14 2015 – 7 photos
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:29 • Bigg`s Orca heading North along the mainland shoreline towards Tenedos Bay, Desolation Sound. ?T18s, T19s, T124s? One fat seal hopped onto someone’s dinghy to escape becoming an afternoon snack. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
14:11 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading North between Willow Point and Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage.
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:43 • Bigg`s Orca well inside Okeover Inlet. We’re with Leif and Orca mid-channel near the public dock. ▫ On Scene
Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures
09:49 • Bigg`s Orca heading East past Lion Rock, Okeover Inlet. ▫ Leaving the Scene
09:10 • Bigg`s Orca heading East at Cochrane Islands in Okeover Inlet. They’re heading into the inlet.
09:02 • 6 Bigg`s Orca at Cross Islet, Okeover Inlet. At least 6 Orca. ▫ On Scene
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
08:26 • Bigg`s Orca just behind Sarah Point. ▫ Second Hand
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Aug 13 2015
19:27 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading West just North of Harwood Island towards Scuttle Bay, Malaspina Strait. There’s 3 maybe 4 large Orca cruising quite close to shore. ▫ Observed from Shore
Heather Armstron, Powell River
18:27 • Bigg`s Orca heading East at South end of Harwood Island heading directly towards the Powell River pulp mill Malaspina Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
18:07 • Bigg`s Orca heading East heading towards Powell River mill area from Vivan Island, Algerine Passage. Knock at least one seal off the rocks by creating a wave.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
16:39 • Bigg`s Orca heading South angling for Harwood Island or Vivian Rock
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:44 • 10 Bigg`s Orca 1 nautical mile West of Grants Reef heading towards Vivian Island There’s at least ten Orca.
▫ Leaving the Scene
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:40 • Bigg`s Orca heading South off Grant Reef, Georgia Strait. There’s at least two big bulls.
Rick Steen, Powell River Fishing Guide
15:25 • Bigg`s Orca heading South-East off Savary Island heading towards Vivian Island, Georgia Strait.
14:31 • Bigg`s Orca heading South 2 nautical miles off Savary Island, Sheawater Passage. ▫ On Scene
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:01 • Bigg`s Orca between Sentry Shoal and North end of Savary Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Bigg’ s Killer Whales
Thu Aug 13 2015 – 7 photos
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:38 • Bigg`s Orca heading South-East about 490 meters of Sentry Shoal
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:26 • Bigg`s Orca heading South slowly by Sentry Shoal
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
08:58 • 10 Bigg`s Orca between Quadra Island and Marina Island mid Sutil Channel. ?T18s. T19s and others?
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:41 • 8 Bigg`s Orca
Jordan McLean, Painter’s Lodge
08:16 • Bigg`s Orca off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel. Passed on from Coast Guard. ▫ Second Hand
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Tue Aug 18 2015
19:00 • 5 NRKW Orca heading West by the Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait. ?A30s? One big fin (Pointer) A30s.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
17:18 • NRKW Orca heading West passing Helmcken Island. Two PWS Dolphins were leading the pod who were running close to shore as they passed the anchorage.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Tue Aug 18 2015 – 5 photos
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
17:01 • NRKW Orca heading West in Current Passage. This pod kept losing ground by Camp Point and decided to do some foraging on Ripple Shoal. Here too they kept losing ground to the tide and by the time I left them, it looked as if they were waiting for the group Elvis had to catch up. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
16:20 • 5 NRKW Orca heading West just below Camp Point.
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:00 • NRKW Orca heading West by Camp Point. ?A23s, A30s? They stopped for a brief rub on the beach, then continued to fight the tide. Some made it well into Race Pass, but others were losing ground to the tide. ▫ On Scene
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
14:30 • NRKW Orca heading West mid channel just West off Vansittart Point. ▫ On Scene
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
08:20 • 10 NRKW Orca, Nodales Channel.
Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris
08:10 • NRKW Orca
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon Aug 17 2015
10:45 • NRKW Orca heading East at Kaikash Creek, Johnstone Strait.
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
Sun Aug 16 2015
14:33 • NRKW Orca heading East into Robson Bight. ?A23s, A25s, A30s, and I15s? Great day up here!.
14:22 • NRKW Orca by Big Bay, Hanson Island, Johnstone Strait. ?A30s?
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sat Aug 15 2015
14:22 • NRKW Orca in Robson Bight, Johnstone Strait. ?I15s?
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:01 • NRKW Orca heading East towards the Sophia Islands at the top of Johnstone Strait.
10:32 • NRKW Orca off the South end of Hanson Island, Blackney Passage
Jordan McLean, Painter’s Lodge
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Tue Aug 18 2015
11:42 • 8 Orca heading South between 9 foot bay and Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Sun Aug 16 2015
??:?? • Orca, Maple Bay. Unfortunately they did not leave further details in their message to include. SM.
Judy White and John Finlayson, Maple Bay
Fri Aug 14 2015
12:12 • 6 Orca, Ladysmith Harbour. My apologies to the caller whose name I misplaced.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
HUMPBACK WHALES
Tue Aug 18 2015
17:45 • 2 Humpback Whale 3/4 mile NW of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Mon Aug 17 2015
18:15 • 2 Humpback Whale heading South at 6 knots at Quathiaski Cove closer to Quadra Island shore Discovery Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
17:36 • 2 Humpback Whale heading South just South of Race Point, Seymour Narrows.
Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:13 • 3 Humpback Whale, Constance Bank.
Josh McInnes, Victoria
16:12 • 2 Humpback Whale together 1 nautical mile off Rebecca Spit heading towards Viner Point, Sutil Channel. Date: 2015-08-17 16:55 SMS From: Nick Templeman Msg: These 2 HBS are 2 of the groups of 4 that were together out here a week ago.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Humpback Whales
Mon Aug 17 2015 – 8 photos
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
16:08 • 2 Humpback Whale heading South, Deepwater Bay. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:26 • 2 Humpback Whale heading South, Kanish Bay. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:03 • 2 Humpback Whale, Okisollo Channel. ?KC and friend?
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:49 • 1 Humpback Whale East end of Eve River tight against the Vancouver Island shore Johnstone Strait.
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
10:55 • 2 Humpback Whale at the tip of Hernando Island, Georgia Strait. Reported by Way West en route to Lund. ▫ Second Hand
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:48 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North at Steep Island, Discovery Passage. ?BCY0291, KC and friend?
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
10:33 • 1 Humpback Whale heading North in front of Anchor Inn, Campbell River mid-channel Discovery Passage. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jordan McLean, Painter’s Lodge
Sun Aug 16 2015
17:52 • 2 Humpback Whale heading South at Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Sun Aug 16 2015 – 6 photos
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
17:07 • 1 Humpback Whale heading South by Greensea Bay, Discovery Passage.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:22 • 2 Humpback Whale between Steep Island and Pulp Mill, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jim, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:47 • 2 Humpback Whale heading South very slowly by Walcan below Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:00 • 2 Humpback Whale turned, heading South at Race Point below Seymour Narrows. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:21 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North by Steep Island, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
10:32 • 4 Humpback Whale off the South end of Hanson Island, Blackney Passage
Jordan McLean, Painter’s Lodge
10:18 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North along Wilby Shoals reef towards Cape Mudge Lighthouse Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
09:28 • 2 Humpback Whale at the Green Can Buoy off Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sat Aug 15 2015
15:38 • 1 Humpback Whale off Subtle Islands 500 meters off shore near Whaletown Bay
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:55 • Humpback Whale breaching, off Von Donop Inlet at the top of Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:07 • 1 Humpback Whale heading South Slowly by Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage. Close to shore.
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
08:38 • 2 Humpback Whale heading South off Black (Albion) Point below Myrtle Rock, Malaspina Strait. One adult for sure and not sure about the other who was out a bit in front.
Janet Southcott, Powell River
Fri Aug 14 2015
14:57 • 2 Humpback Whale heading West abeam Broken Islands, Johnstone Strait.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
14:00 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North between Gillies Bay Texada Island and Denman Island, Georgia Strait.
Brian Seymour
12:24 • 1 Humpback Whale heading South-East 1 mile NW off Grant Reefs headed towards Powell River, Shearwater Passage.
Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive
Thu Aug 13 2015
19:48 • 1 Humpback Whale heading East towards Powell River in Malaspina Strait. The whale was HUGE and going away from the Orca. ▫ Observed from Shore
Heather Armstron, Powell River
14:30 • 1 Humpback Whale heading South at Mystery Reef off Savary Island, Malaspina Strait.
Joel Ulmer, Lund, BC
14:30 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North at Amor Point, Bute Inlet. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
13:45 • 1 Humpback Whale inside the NW end of Trail Islands off Sechelt, Georgia Strait.
Judy Marusiak, Sechelt
12:28 • Humpback Whale past second falls, Bute Inlet.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:28 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:27 • 2 Humpback Whale between Merry Island and Trail Islands below Welcome Passage. ▫ Radio Report
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
10:04 • 2 Humpback Whale heading South at Kelsey Point almost at Calm Channel.
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
10:01 • 2 Humpback Whale, Dent Rapids.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Aug 12 2015
15:30 • 2 Humpback Whale by Kinghorn Rocks off Refuge Cove, Desolation Sound. We spotted 2 whales by their blows. We thought they were Humpbacks at first but they were HUGE when we saw them on the surface. We watched them for about 5 minutes just lazing on top then they both dove and we didn’t see them again. Based on their size we think one was an adult and the other more juvenile.
Dulcie Macdonald, Savary Island
??:?? • 2 Humpback Whale, Victoria Harbour. On our return trip today August 12, several of us saw what appears to be the same whale, possibly two of them together. Large, long, dark grey, blowing and coming up for air a few times and disappeared underwater. It surfaced relative close to the vessel about 200 metres on our starboard side and probably about 5 nautical miles from our entrance to Victoria Harbour. ▫ From Ferry
Frank Camaraire
Sun Aug 09 2015
??:?? • 2 Humpback Whale breaching,, Horseshoe Bay. We were docking at the ferry terminal in Horseshoe Bay and a whale of some sort blessed us with a jump show and waves for about 5 mins…I’ll post a picture in the attachments as I’d love to know what kind it was. My 2 year old daughter was in awe. (Please note that there is a second Humpback in one of your photos right beside a boat that appears to be far too close to the animal. – SM). ▫ From Ferry
Chelsea Stoltz
Sat Aug 08 2015
??:?? • 1 Humpback Whale, Port Angeles. On August 8, while on board the M.V. Coho en route to Port Angeles, I spotted a large whale, dark grey, relatively small dorsal fin. It was the large water spray being blown up in the air that first got my attention. It was astern from the vessel and at a distance. I am fairly certain that it was not an Orca based on the size and shape of its dorsal fin. ▫ From Ferry
Frank Camaraire
GREY WHALES
Thu Aug 13 2015
10:27 • 1 Grey Whale between Merry Island and Trail Islands below Welcome Passage. ▫ Radio Report
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Tue Aug 18 2015
17:00 • 100 PWS Dolphins by Chatham Point, Nodales Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:03 • 10 PWS Dolphins heading West off Ripple Shoal, Johnstone Strait. The Dolphins rushed in to harass the pod of Orca who are still fighting the tide. ▫ On Scene
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
15:28 • 100 PWS Dolphins heading South by Ripple Point. ▫ On Scene
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:47 • 100 PWS Dolphins heading West mid channel by Walkem Islands.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
12:21 • 200 PWS Dolphins, Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Mon Aug 17 2015
15:10 • 100 PWS Dolphins between Chatham Point and Turn Island, Johnstone Strait.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:31 • 100 PWS Dolphins foraging, heading East at Knox Bay, Johnstone Strait. They decided to stop.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Mon Aug 17 2015 – 1 photos
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
11:16 • PWS Dolphins heading East towards Bear Point.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:48 • 100 PWS Dolphins at Vansittart Point.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:36 • 100 PWS Dolphins 50 at Walkem Islands light and another 50 at Knox Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
Sun Aug 16 2015
16:44 • 100 PWS Dolphins heading West by Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
15:23 • 20 PWS Dolphins by Devils Hole, Dent Rapids.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:43 • 100 PWS Dolphins heading West by Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait. There’s more than 100.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat Aug 15 2015
15:39 • PWS Dolphins playing, still in Vancouver Bay and playing in Arran Rapids
Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:19 • 75 PWS Dolphins off Sonora Point, Nodales Channel.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:17 • 50 PWS Dolphins at Vancouver Bay, Bute Inlet.
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:39 • 20 PWS Dolphins by Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:37 • PWS Dolphins, Horn Point, Horn Bay area above Gillard Passage There are several small groups of them.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Sat Aug 15 2015 – 3 photos
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
10:29 • 12 PWS Dolphins milling, at Horn Point, Gillard Passage
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Aug 14 2015
15:35 • 15 PWS Dolphins, Okisollo Channel. Very playful.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Aug 13 2015
19:49 • PWS Dolphins heading North by Gomer Island, Frederick Arm. A Very large group.
Colin Giffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
16:18 • PWS Dolphins between Sonora Point and Gomer Island, Nodales Channel.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:26 • 75 PWS Dolphins off Denham Islet above Dent Rapids. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:54 • 50 PWS Dolphins playing,, Dent Rapids.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:37 • 12 PWS Dolphins heading East at Thurlow Point in Nodales Channel.
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
10:01 • PWS Dolphins, Horn Bay.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
DALL’S PORPOISE
Sun Aug 16 2015
14:06 • 6 Dall`s Porpoise at Hall Point, Nodales Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Aug 14 2015
15:25 • 3 Dall`s Porpoise foraging, off Naka Creek, Johnstone Strait.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Sun Aug 16 2015
18:20 • 6 Harbour Porpoise foraging, heading North in Whiterock Passage, Drew Passage.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Thu Aug 13 2015
18:45 • 1 Harbour Porpoise foraging, between Major Rock and Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. Just the one lone Porpoise.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
14:36 • 2 Harbour Porpoise at Amor Point, Bute Inlet.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
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Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.
Every sighting report is valuable!
