Humpbacks – Full Body Breach!

A publication of Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

Humpbacks – Full Body Breach!


Cover Image:
Humpback breaching near Grant Reef

Many Humpback whales were sighted in Calm Channel, Sutil Channel, Discovery Passage, and upper Georgia Strait. The Humpbacks were displaying various behaviours including breaching, pectoral slapping, and swimming against the tide. One can only be in awe as a Humpback whale breaches with the most of the body out of the water for a brief moment.

Northern Resident Orca were in Johnstone Strait while Transient Orca were located further south in upper Georgia Strait and both types of Orca appear to be staying away from each other. Some Pacific White-Sided dolphins were travelling around further south than normal making their way into Desolation Sound. A few sightings of Dall’s porpoise were also reported.

Boaters, please use caution on the water. Effective June 1st, Federal laws require boats to remain at least 400-m away when viewing Orca and for other Cetaceans, laws require boats to remain at least 100-m from the whales/dolphins. Remember N.E.W.S. when you see a whale, meaning put your boat in NEUTRAL, ENJOY the view, WAIT till the whales are at a fair distance, and then SLOWLY leave the scene.

Note that the release of our regular publications will be interrupted over the next few weeks. Your reports of Cetacean sightings will be processed still but at a slower rate, due to the changes of the availability of our volunteers.

We acknowledge that our sightings map and archive map are not fully functional at this time, and we are working to resolve the issue.

WOWs works throught the year, so please continue to keep your eyes open, and report your sightings to us.

Society News & Events
Whales and Dolphins BC Website:
Teaching Resources: We continue to update lessons, activities and resources on our website. Teachers can download information as needed for classes.
Real Time Monitoring Station Live Update
Our Cetacean Web Camera YouTube Channel is live. We appreciate your patience with the intermittent bouncy images from the Beach Gardens Marina camera. Our backup live stream mounted in Powell River appears when the Beach Gardens camera is down.
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?
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2019-029
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Sat Jul 27 2019
09:44 • est. 10+ Biggs Orca heading north, south of Spoil Grounds at Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
10:07 • est. 15+ Biggs Orca spread out, heading west at Spoil Grounds, Georgia Strait. Some are milling.
11:08 • est. 20-25 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading north-west on Wilby Shoals headed into Discovery Passage, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:10 • est. 8-10 Biggs Orca breaching, heading north at Hidden Harbour, Discovery Passage. ▫ Observed from Shore
JR, Campbell River, BC
13:20 • Biggs Orca heading north in front of Discovery Harbour Marina at Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
15:10 • Biggs Orca heading north through Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:30 • 6 Biggs Orca heading north, north of Marina Island headed for Whaletown, Sutil Channel. Information from Elvis. ▫ Second Hand
Bill Coltart, Big Animal Encounters
15:57 • Biggs Orca by Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
16:36 • est. 6 Biggs Orca heading north-west from Marina Island towards Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
17:05 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ north of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. T0101s with other Orca in two groups – one along the VI shore and the other out mid strait. North of the Brown’s Bay fishing hole. ▫ Leaving the Scene
17:15 • Biggs Orca heading north passing No Name Creek, Discovery Passage. 3 knots. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Sun Jul 28 2019
11:02 • Biggs Orca east side of Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait. From Chris on Attitude. ▫ Second Hand
11:45 • Biggs Orca heading south at the north-east side of Grant Reefs.
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s heading south at the north-east side of Grant Reefs
Sun, 28 Jul 2019 – 8 items
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s heading south at the north-east side of Grant Reefs
Sun, 28 Jul 2019 – 8 items
12:53 • Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south off Grant Reefs angling toward Vivian Island, Georgia Strait.
13:20 • Biggs Orca off Vivian Island, Georgia Strait. Feeding on prey.
14:33 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading south off Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s, T77C Neftali and T77D Alcyon, in Active Pass
Sun, 28 Jul 2019 – 5 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s, T77C Neftali and T77D Alcyon, in Active Pass
Sun, 28 Jul 2019 – 5 items
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Fri Jul 26 2019
–:– • NRKW Orca heading north in Nodales Channel. Orca observed in the evening. Information from Eagle Master. ▫ Second Hand
Sat Jul 27 2019
11:54 • NRKW Orca heading west at Eve River on Vancouver Island, Johnstone Strait.
12:09 • est. 20+ NRKW Orca spread out throughout Johnstone Strait.
12:30 • NRKW Orca heading west off Naka Creek, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:45 • NRKW Orca heading west, east of Robson Bight, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Sun Jul 28 2019
11:15 • NRKW Orca west of Camp Point, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Second Hand
12:40 • est. 12 NRKW Orca heading east abeam Humpback Bay, Johnstone Strait.
13:00 • est. 8 NRKW Orca east of Bear Point, Johnstone Strait.
13:35 • NRKW Orca heading east travelling at 1.5 knots just west of Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:08 • NRKW Orca heading east travelling at 1.5 knots abeam Knox Bay, West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait. At 14:18, the Orca turned and were westing abeam Knox Bay closer to the Vancouver Island side of the strait.
15:45 • NRKW Orca at Windy Point, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Second Hand
20:38 • NRKW Orca heading west on the Vancouver Island side going past Vansittart Point, West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Mon Jul 29 2019
13:10 • NRKW Orca heading west at Blinkhorn Peninsula east of Telegraph Cove, Johnstone Strait. Big group; G clan and some As as well.
Tue Jul 30 2019
08:57 • est. 8-10 NRKW Orca spread out, off Stimpson Point, Johnstone Strait.
10:17 • NRKW Orca heading north 3 knots from Adam River, Johnstone Strait.
12:30 • NRKW Orca heading west, west of Naka Creek, Johnstone Strait.
13:30 • NRKW Orca heading west into Robson Bight, Johnstone Strait. Sounds like some easting into Robson Bight. ▫ Leaving the Scene
HUMPBACK WHALES
Fri Jul 26 2019
20:30 • 1 Humpback Whales milling, heading south off Qualicum Beach, Georgia Strait. Floating near surface and displaying tail. ▫ Observed from Shore
TP, Qualicum Beach, BC
Sat Jul 27 2019
09:05 • 3 Humpback Whales off Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
09:20 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north, north of Francisco Point on Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Tenacious 3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
09:36 • 3 Humpback Whales south of Von Donop Inlet, Sutil Channel. 2 closer to penns and 1 closer to Cortez.
Ryan Stewart, Sonora Resort
11:08 • 2 Humpback Whales north of Spoil Grounds, Georgia Strait.
11:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north at Dunsterville Islet, Hoskyn Channel.
12:10 • 1 Humpback Whales at Quartz Bay, Sutil Channel.
12:20 • est. 8 Humpback Whales between Viner Point and Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
12:21 • est. 9 Humpback Whales heading north between Center Islet and Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:30 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
12:30 • 1 Humpback Whales off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
12:56 • est. 5-7 Humpback Whales between Plunger Passage and Coulter Bay, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:42 • 4 Humpback Whales between Subtle Islands and Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
13:45 • Humpback Whales moving quickly, heading south from Surge Narrows into Hoskyn Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:08 • 4 Humpback Whales heading west near Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
16:36 • 4 Humpback Whales around Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Tenacious 3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
Sun Jul 28 2019
08:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north just above Quartz Bay, Sutil Channel.
08:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north at Quartz Bay.
08:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north bottom of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
08:00 • est. 1 Humpback Whales heading north by Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel.
08:38 • 2 Humpback Whales mid channel in front of Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage. Pectoral slapping.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
08:55 • 3 Humpback Whales between Whaletown, Plunger Passage and Centre Island, Sutil Channel.
09:07 • 1 Humpback Whales bucking tide, heading north just south of Sonora Resort on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids. ▫ Second Hand
09:15 • 2 Humpback Whales taking long dives, at the entrance to Von Donop Inlet, Sutil Channel.
09:45 • 3 Humpback Whales doing circles, about 1.5 miles off the can at Cortez Reef toward the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
10:00 • 3 Humpback Whales abeam Walcan Seafood Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Big ones. ▫ Leaving the Scene
10:17 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north between Viner Point and Centre Island; closer to Read Island, Sutil Channel.
10:20 • 3 Humpback Whales off Von Donop Inlet heading toward Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
10:43 • 3 Humpback Whales approaching Maud Island in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Stan Novotny, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:00 • 1 Humpback Whales south of Bartlett Islet, Calm Channel.
11:55 • 4 Humpback Whales at Coulter Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. Information from Susan. ▫ Second Hand
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:55 • 1 Humpback Whales south of Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
14:00 • Humpback Whales breaching, near Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. Full hour of breaching show. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks breaching near Marina Reef
Sun, 28 Jul 2019 – 9 items
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks breaching near Marina Reef
Sun, 28 Jul 2019 – 9 items
14:06 • 1 Humpback Whales at Spoil Grounds heading toward Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
14:59 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north on the north side of Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
15:00 • Humpback Whales heading north at Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
20:15 • 2 Humpback Whales between Francisco Point and the red can at Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Mon Jul 29 2019
07:30 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north on the Vancouver Island shore in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
07:40 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north past Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
07:50 • 3 Humpback Whales between Quathiaski Cove and April Point, Discovery Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
08:56 • Humpback Whales breaching, all over Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy and Cape Mudge Fishing Hump, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:38 • 2 Humpback Whales one mile north of Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
09:38 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales 1.5 miles east of Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
09:40 • est. 3 Humpback Whales mid channel off Church House, Calm Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
09:53 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading north off Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy toward Francisco Point, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Tenacious 3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
09:54 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south in front of Walcan Seafood Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
10:25 • Humpback Whales heading north just north of the fishing grounds of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
10:28 • 2 Humpback Whales 1/4 mile SE of Hill Island heading for Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:36 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north mid channel between Marina Reef and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:50 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north, north-east of Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
11:03 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north-west 1 NM off the south end of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
11:15 • 2 Humpback Whales off Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:40 • 2 Humpback Whales near Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. Mom and calf. ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:07 • 3 Humpback Whales just south of Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
13:07 • est. 2 Humpback Whales toward Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
13:07 • est. 2 Humpback Whales toward Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
14:14 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0380 Zed / Zorro◦ between Rendezvous Islands and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
14:35 • 2 Humpback Whales near Redonda Bay, Deer Passage. ▫ Second Hand
15:59 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east mid Strait abeam Yorke Island, Johnstone Strait.
17:15 • 3 Humpback Whales near Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
17:31 • 4 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading north-west grouped up mid channel between Mitlenatch Island and Manson Passage, Georgia Strait.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
18:58 • 3 Humpback Whales at the north end of Lewis Channel.
19:43 • 4 Humpback Whales in between Marina Island and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
19:57 • Humpback Whales near Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Many whales observed from a distance (Sutil Channel).
Tue Jul 30 2019
09:13 • 3 Humpback Whales at Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Bill Coltart, Big Animal Encounters
10:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
10:23 • Humpback Whales blows south of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
10:29 • Humpback Whales one mile south of Rendezvous Islands, Sutil Channel.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
10:30 • 2 Humpback Whales mid-channel between Shark Spit and Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel.
10:41 • 2 Humpback Whales off Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel. On the cable line.
10:47 • 1 Humpback Whales between Francisco Point and Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Tenacious 3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
11:10 • Humpback Whales off Bullock Bluff, Cortes Island, Calm Channel.
11:24 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south at Palmer Bay, Johnstone Strait.
11:28 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
11:40 • 4 Humpback Whales at Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
11:46 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south 1/4 mile off Steep Island, Discovery Passage.
Tenacious 3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
11:48 • 4 Humpback Whales heading south-east at Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:04 • 2 Humpback Whales angling towards Marina Reef from Dogfish Bay , centre of Sutil Channel.
12:25 • 2 Humpback Whales off Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
12:31 • 1 Humpback Whales between Marina Island and Francisco Point, Sutil Channel. No direction.
12:44 • 2 Humpback Whales on the ferry line close to Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:33 • Humpback Whales between Marina Island and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. The usual spot.
Tenacious 3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
13:57 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales off Raza Point, Raza Passage.
14:20 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX1258 Crescent,BCZ Hourglass◦ heading south mid Raza Island, Calm Channel. Tight to the shore.
14:45 • est. 5-6 Humpback Whales mid-channel off Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
15:04 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, south end of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Right off shore. Winds picking up 3 foot seas.
Tenacious 3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
18:25 • 3 Humpback Whales breaching, between Francisco Point and Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Three Humpbacks off of Marina Island
Fri, 26 Jul 2019 – 9 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Three Humpbacks off of Marina Island
Fri, 26 Jul 2019 – 9 items
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sat Jul 27 2019
09:13 • PWS Dolphins heading north in Lewis Channel. Large pod. ▫ Second Hand
Mon Jul 29 2019
17:45 • PWS Dolphins in Desolation Sound. Large pod. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
18:00 • PWS Dolphins between Otter Island and Mink Island, Desolation Sound.
18:30 • PWS Dolphins western side of Mink Island pointing at Kinghorn Island, Desolation Sound. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Tue Jul 30 2019
11:02 • est. 12 PWS Dolphins just north of Cinque Islands, Discovery Passage.
12:45 • 4 PWS Dolphins off Howe Island, Nodales Channel.
DALLS PORPOISE
Tue Jul 30 2019
12:10 • Dalls Porpoise playing, near Kellsey Point, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:00 • Dalls Porpoise close to D’Arcy Point, Wellbore Channel.
15:28 • Dalls Porpoise at Gunner Point, Sunderland Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River

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