Humpback Whales Diving

A publication of Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

Humpback Whales Diving


Cover Image:
Humpbacks – Mammoth & Split – showing off their flukes!
Natalie Reichenbacher, Vancouver Island Whale Watch

Have you become more accumstomed to the presence of Humpback whales in our local waters? Any behaviours or patterns of Humpbacks that you have noticed? One pattern you may have observed is when a Humpback goes for a long dive, the whale will lift its tail (fluke) out of the water as it proceeds downward. The whale will generally stay underwater longer than normal from 5 to 10 minutes. Guessing where the Humpback may surface is always a challenge as some whales do change directions when swimming underwater. The sound of their blows will notify you that they have surfaced and can help you locate the whale. Other behaviours of Humpback whales include breaching, tail slapping, and pectoral slapping.

This report includes sightings of Transient Orca and Northern Resident Orca. One pod of Transient Orca was observed catching some seals. One Minke whale was observed in Seymour Narrows on September 11 and two Minke whales were near Parksville on September 13th. A number of pods of Pacific White-Sided dolphins were observed, ranging in size from 6 members up to over 100 members.

Boaters, please use caution on the water. Federal laws require boats to remain at least 400-m away when viewing Southern Resident Orca and for other Cetaceans, laws require boats to remain at least 100-m from the whales/dolphins. If you come across some Orca and you are uncertain if they are Southern Resident Orca, it is best to still maintain your distance of 400-m. 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.

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.

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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2019-041
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Mon Sep 09 2019
17:30 • est. 7 Biggs Orca frolicking, heading south between Thormanby Islands and Halfmoon Bay, Welcome Passage. Largest male had scratches on both sides of dorsal and tip of dorsal was slightly curved. One of them had a red tubular object near it’s tail. Seen from our dingy while cruising to Thormanby from Half Moon Bay. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
JH, Halfmoon Bay, BC
Wed Sep 11 2019
13:25 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading west near Bowlder Point, Malcolm Island, Queen Charlotte Strait.
Thu Sep 12 2019
09:37 • Biggs Orca in Calm Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:47 • Biggs Orca in Calm Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Fri Sep 13 2019
08:00 • 2 Biggs Orca at the top of Lewis Channel.
08:00 • Biggs Orca just down from Bullock Bluff, Lewis Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca by Bullock Bluff
Fri, 13 Sep 2019 – 3 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC

Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca by Bullock Bluff
Fri, 13 Sep 2019 – 3 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
09:30 • Biggs Orca cruising past Connis Point by Redonda Bay, Deer Passage. ▫ Second Hand
09:30 • Biggs Orca zig zagging, between Raza Island and Deer Passage, Deer Passage. ▫ Second Hand
10:45 • 5 Biggs Orca moving slowly, in the lower rapids at Okis Islands moving toward Barnes Bay, Okisollo Channel. After killing a couple of seals.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
12:45 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ coming from Hole in the Wall entering Calm Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:07 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading north near the shoreline north of Hole in the Wall along Sonora Island, Calm Channel.
Ryan Stewart, Sonora Resort
13:30 • Biggs Orca at Snout Point, Toba Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
13:30 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ bucking tide, heading north mid channel at Kellsey Point, Yuculta Rapids.
14:15 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ along the shore heading towards Henrietta Point, Stuart Island, Bute Inlet.
16:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ abeam Lawrence Point, Bute Inlet. ▫ Leaving the Scene
17:00 • Biggs Orca a few miles west of Moh Creek on the north side of Bute Inlet. Heading into the Inlet. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Sat Sep 14 2019
14:35 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading south tight to the Vancouver Island shore between Otter Cove and Elk Point, Discovery Passage.
15:29 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading south tight to shore at Moriarty Point, Discovery Passage.
Bill Coltart, Big Animal Encounters
16:53 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ half mile off the Vancouver Island side abeam Separation Head, Discovery Passage.
17:52 • Biggs Orca in Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Sun Sep 15 2019
07:44 • 4 Biggs Orca heading west at Dent Island heading through Dent Rapids. ▫ Second Hand
09:45 • Biggs Orca in Thurston Bay, Nodales Channel. ▫ Second Hand
09:55 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading north-east at Wilson Point into Thurston Bay, Nodales Channel. 4-5 knots. ▫ Leaving the Scene
10:40 • Biggs Orca heading north in Cameleon Harbour.
11:30 • Biggs Orca heading north pointing to Edward Point in Thurston Bay and leaving Cameleon Harbour.
16:50 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading south along Stuart Island after passing through Arran Rapids. ▫ Second Hand
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca – the T018s – travelling through the Strait of Georgia
Wed, 11 Sep 2019 – 3 items
Natalie Reichenbacher, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca – the T018s – travelling through the Strait of Georgia
Wed, 11 Sep 2019 – 3 items
Natalie Reichenbacher, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Sat Sep 14 2019
07:30 • est. 10+ NRKW Orca heading west at Vansittart Point close to the shore of West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
11:15 • NRKW Orca heading west at Stimpson Reef west of Port Neville, Johnstone Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Northern Resident Killer Whales
North Resident Killer Whales at Stimpson Reef
Sat, 14 Sep 2019 – 6 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC

Northern Resident Killer Whales
North Resident Killer Whales at Stimpson Reef
Sat, 14 Sep 2019 – 6 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
11:30 • 3 NRKW Orca mid channel by Adam River, Johnstone Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
11:45 • 4 NRKW Orca coming out of Binnington Bay, Cameleon Harbour. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:00 • NRKW Orca heading west between Naka Creek and Adam River, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Sat Sep 14 2019
10:37 • Orca by Lee Islands crossing to Sonora Island, Nodales Channel. ▫ Second Hand
11:23 • Orca in Thurston Bay, Nodales Channel. ▫ Second Hand
14:04 • Orca between the Chatham lighthouse and Howe Island, Discovery Passage.
HUMPBACK WHALES
Sun Aug 25 2019
–:– • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Sergeant◦ off Emmonds Beach south of Lund, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Wed Sep 11 2019
07:30 • 3 Humpback Whales off Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks by Marina Reef
Wed, 11 Sep 2019 – 3 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC

Humpback Whales
Humpbacks by Marina Reef
Wed, 11 Sep 2019 – 3 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
07:30 • 3 Humpback Whales south of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
07:44 • 2 Humpback Whales off Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
07:51 • Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
07:59 • Humpback Whales near Evans Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
08:11 • Humpback Whales mid Deer Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
08:18 • 4 Humpback Whales in front of Whaletown Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
08:46 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south just south of Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
09:45 • 2 Humpback Whales at the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
09:45 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales to the west of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
10:00 • 2 Humpback Whales resting mid Deer Passage.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:27 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales south of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Blows were seen.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
10:45 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading west from Raza Island towards Rendezvous Islands, Calm Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:40 • 2 Humpback Whales below Toba Mountain, Raza Passage.
12:26 • 2 Humpback Whales heading towards Redonda Bay, Deer Passage.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:15 • Humpback Whales breaching, Raza Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Humpback Whales
Breaching Humpbacks in Raza Passage
Wed, 11 Sep 2019 – 2 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Breaching Humpbacks in Raza Passage
Wed, 11 Sep 2019 – 2 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Thu Sep 12 2019
06:45 • 1 Humpback Whales off Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
07:30 • 2 Humpback Whales at the top end of Deer Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
08:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south at Whirlpool Rapids, Wellbore Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
09:47 • 1 Humpback Whales 800 metres northeast of Harbott Point, Calm Channel. Looks like the whale is being harassed by dolphins.
14:40 • Humpback Whales off Booker Point, East Redonda Island, Homfray Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks in Homfray channel
Thu, 12 Sep 2019 – 2 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC

Humpback Whales
Humpbacks in Homfray channel
Thu, 12 Sep 2019 – 2 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
15:10 • Humpback Whales north side of Twin Islands, Malaspina Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
15:44 • est. 3-5 Humpback Whales back and forth, a little SW off Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait.
17:07 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, between Rebecca Rocks and the top of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Fri Sep 13 2019
07:20 • Humpback Whales mid channel out from Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
07:40 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south in Burdwood Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
09:40 • Humpback Whales at Toba Mountain, Raza Passage. ▫ Second Hand
10:00 • Humpback Whales abeam Elizabeth Island, Pryce Channel. Viewed blows from a distance (Connis Point).
10:15 • 3 Humpback Whales near Toba Mountain, Calm Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:50 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east along the Vancouver Island shore at Race Passage, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
14:15 • 3 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ Hourglass◦ moving out from Stuart Island into Calm Channel, Bute Inlet.
Sat Sep 14 2019
09:10 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south very tight to shore just north of the marker at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
09:23 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0380 Zed / Zorro◦ heading south at Steep Island, Discovery Passage. There was another one but lost it.
09:41 • 3 Humpback Whales bucking tide, 500 metres off Vancouver Island just south of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
11:59 • Humpback Whales tail slapping, on the Powell River side of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:28 • 1 Humpback Whales off April Point, Discovery Passage.
12:30 • 4 Humpback Whales off Flower Island, Blackney Passage, Blackfish Sound.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
12:57 • 1 Humpback Whales north of Steep Island heading for Copper Cliffs, Discovery Passage. Possibly the same Humpback that was in front of April Point Lodge.
13:04 • 6 Humpback Whales in Blackney Passage, Blackfish Sound.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
13:12 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, between Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy and Willow Point, Georgia Strait. Breached about 20 times in a row. Observed from shore. ▫ Second Hand
15:53 • 1 Humpback Whales off Copper Cliffs, Discovery Passage.
16:52 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales south side of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sun Sep 15 2019
07:28 • 1 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
07:28 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
07:55 • 5 Humpback Whales between Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy and Francisco Point, Georgia Strait.
08:05 • 1 Humpback Whales off Willow Point, Georgia Strait. More blows seen further out near the Cape Mudge Green Can. ▫ Observed from Shore
09:20 • Humpback Whales heading south off Bullock Bluff, Calm Channel.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Humpback diving in Calm Channel
Sun, 15 Sep 2019 – 1 items
Stan Novotny, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Humpback diving in Calm Channel
Sun, 15 Sep 2019 – 1 items
Stan Novotny, Eagle Eye Adventures
09:20 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south abeam Shelter Point south of Campbell River, Georgia Strait. Short dives and showing flukes.
10:10 • 4 Humpback Whales heading east abeam Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Trisha Stovel, Big Animal Encounters
10:15 • 1 Humpback Whales milling, close to Gowlland Island, Gowlland Harbour.
10:15 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north passing Steep Island, Discovery Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:25 • 1 Humpback Whales heading west inside Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
10:30 • 6 Humpback Whales heading east near Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
10:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east at Spoil Grounds, Georgia Strait.
11:07 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north between Grief Point and Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Judy Brant, Powell River, BC
11:15 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south at Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
13:44 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, south of Mitlenatch Island heading toward Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Tenacious 3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
14:58 • 2 Humpback Whales across from Henrietta Point on Stuart Island, Bute Inlet.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:00 • 3 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Raza◦ abeam Henrietta Point on Stuart Island. 2 juvenile whales. Close to the mainland shore.
15:03 • 1 Humpback Whales in Bute Inlet.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:08 • 3 Humpback Whales pectoral slapping, at Francisco Point on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait. At 15:13, they were at Wilby Shoals playing.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
15:24 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north, south of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
15:45 • 1 Humpback Whales at the north end of Lewis Channel.
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback spy hopping mid-channel
Sun, 15 Sep 2019 – 1 items
Discovery West Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback spy hopping mid-channel
Sun, 15 Sep 2019 – 1 items
Discovery West Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks – Mammoth & Split – showing off their flukes!
Wed, 11 Sep 2019 – 2 items
Natalie Reichenbacher, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks – Mammoth & Split – showing off their flukes!
Wed, 11 Sep 2019 – 2 items
Natalie Reichenbacher, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
MINKE WHALES
Wed Sep 11 2019
10:33 • Minke Whales in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:43 • 1 Minke Whales heading south in Seymour Narrows.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Fri Sep 13 2019
11:30 • 2 Minke Whales taking long dives, heading south-east near Mistaken Island in the middle of Northwest Bay, Georgia Strait. Observed for about a half hour, doing slow dives. ▫ Observed from Shore
CP, Nanoose Bay, BC
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Wed Sep 11 2019
09:26 • est. 10 PWS Dolphins 3 miles past Henrietta Point, Stuart Island, Bute Inlet.
09:53 • est. 15 PWS Dolphins milling, off Race Point, Discovery Passage.
18:01 • 6 PWS Dolphins off Plumper Point, Discovery Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Thu Sep 12 2019
09:47 • PWS Dolphins 800 metres northeast of Harbott Point, Calm Channel. Looks like they are harrassing a Humpback.
17:01 • 12 PWS Dolphins at Church House, Calm Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Fri Sep 13 2019
09:40 • PWS Dolphins at Church House. Possible sighting. ▫ Second Hand
10:15 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins close to shore at Church House. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:29 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins at Church House.
Bill Coltart, Big Animal Encounters
14:15 • PWS Dolphins at South Rendezvous Island, Calm Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
15:00 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins milling, between Erasmus Island and Cordero Lodge, Cordero Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sat Sep 14 2019
11:30 • PWS Dolphins mid channel by Adam River, Johnstone Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White-Sided Dophins by Adam River
Sat, 14 Sep 2019 – 1 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC

Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White-Sided Dophins by Adam River
Sat, 14 Sep 2019 – 1 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
11:45 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins coming out of Binnington Bay, Cameleon Harbour. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:00 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins by Naka Creek, Johnstone Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Mon Sep 16 2019
17:05 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins milling, near Gomer Island, Nodales Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

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The Magazine
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Endangered blue whale washes ashore in Cape Breton
CBC News
A blue whale recently washed ashore just north of Port Hood, N.S., and investigators are trying to determine what killed it.

“At this stage, it’s in a location that isn’t really accessible and we wouldn’t be able to conduct a necropsy on site,” said Andrew Reid, a co-ordinator with the Marine Animal Response Society.

Blue whales are an endangered species. Reid told CBC News his organization first got word about the whale carcass on Sept. 18. Photos of the carcass were shared on its Facebook page on Monday….
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How long does a whale feed? New data gives insight into blue and fin whale behavior
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INTERNATIONAL
Humpback whales caught on camera 20 years on
RTE Television (Ireland)
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group says it is “nothing short of remarkable” that two humpback whales – first photographed 20 years ago off the Cork coast – have been spotted together once again off west Kerry. The sighting happened last week as an IWDG team was carrying out research off the Blasket Islands.

Humpback whales can be identified by unique markings on their tail flukes and dorsal fins….
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Another pygmy killer whale stranding hits Sugar Beach
The Maui News
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Meanwhile, authorities and area volunteers were encouraging people to report whales stranded or swimming close to shore, which is an indication that something may be wrong….
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