Orca are apex predators, meaning they are at the top of the food chain in our marine ecosystem. When Transient Orca are hunting, the Orca work as a group and are very stealthy when approaching their prey. When they are close, Orca may exhibit a burst of speed to catch their prey often leaping (“porpoising”) out of the water. Some Orca use their tails to hit, stun, and injure their prey, which could be a seal, sea lion, porpoise, dolphin, or a juvenile whale of a larger species. Other species of Cetaceans display unique methods in catching their prey, such as bubble-net feeding by the Humpback whales.
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.
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2019-045
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Wed Oct 02 2019
08:00 • 1 Biggs Orca heading north, Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Very tall, straight dorsal fin.
Marguerite Stonehouse, Powell River
09:00 • 1 Biggs Orca
moving slowly, heading north-west off Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Slowly traveling up the straight between Powell River and Harwood Island. Lone bull. Massive dorsal fin. ▫ Observed from Shore
JW, Powell River, BC
10:58 • Biggs Orca
milling, at the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Information from a fisherman. ▫ Second Hand
11:20 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca
hunting, near Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge by Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Georgia Strait.
On a kill. Drifting north with the tide.
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca hunting near Cape Mudge Lighthouse
Wed, 2 Oct 2019 – 4 items
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca hunting near Cape Mudge Lighthouse
Wed, 2 Oct 2019 – 4 items
12:00 • Biggs Orca heading north, Painters Lodge, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
12:22 • Biggs Orca
hunting, in front of Painters Lodge, Campbell River.
14:30 • 1 Biggs Orca at the mouth of Malaspina Inlet.
Large male.
14:54 • Biggs Orca ◦T049As,T123s◦ in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:31 • Biggs Orca
moving slowly, heading north in Seymour Narrows passing Wilfred Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:54 • Biggs Orca angling towards Nymphe Cove from Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Trying to go north with no success.
Fri Oct 04 2019
10:42 • 1 Biggs Orca at Amor Point, Bute Inlet.
Heading out of inlet. ▫ Second Hand
11:40 • Biggs Orca at Moh Creek, Bute Inlet. ▫ Second Hand
11:42 • Biggs Orca at Moh Creek. ▫ Second Hand
14:40 • Biggs Orca heading north just passing Orca Point near Sonora Resort on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.
14:45 • 1 Biggs Orca ◦T077◦ heading north-west travelling at 5 knots just past Harbott Point, Calm Channel.
One lone male. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:55 • Biggs Orca heading north almost to the Sonora Resort on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.
17:20 • 1 Biggs Orca mid channel off Fawn Bluff, Bute Inlet.
Big fin.
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca mid channel off Fawn Bluff
Fri, 4 Oct 2019 – 1 items
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca mid channel off Fawn Bluff
Fri, 4 Oct 2019 – 1 items
Sat Oct 05 2019
15:32 • 1 Biggs Orca 1.5-NM from Fawn Bluff mid Bute Inlet.
Heading out of the inlet. ▫ Second Hand
17:00 • 1 Biggs Orca ◦T077A◦ off Fawn Bluff heading towards Lawrence Point, Bute Inlet. ▫ Leaving the Scene
17:06 • 1 Biggs Orca ◦T077A◦ approaching Lawrence Point, Bute Inlet.
Male. ▫ Leaving the Scene
17:46 • 1 Biggs Orca heading south-east in Arran Rapids.
Male.
Sun Oct 06 2019
08:00 • Biggs Orca heading west in Baker Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Tue Oct 08 2019
09:10 • Biggs Orca
taking long dives, heading south at Granite Point, Discovery Passage.
Elusive.
12:55 • 1 Biggs Orca off Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
One lone male Orca appears to be harassing a Humpback.
HUMPBACK WHALES
Wed Oct 02 2019
07:45 • 3 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
08:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east off Francisco Point, Quadra Island.
08:30 • 2 Humpback Whales
breaching in Pryce Channel.
Mother and calf pair. Only calf was breaching.
08:55 • 2 Humpback Whales
moving slowly, heading north, Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
09:48 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ Hourglass◦ at the mouth of Raza Passage in Calm Channel.
10:34 • 3 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Spit and Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.
14:00 • 2 Humpback Whales off Sarah Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
14:20 • Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
15:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west towards Mary Point, Cortes Island, Desolation Sound. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Thu Oct 03 2019
08:00 • 2 Humpback Whales
travelling, heading north-west just south of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
About 1 km from shore. Moving slowly north but one animal took a deep dive as it went out of sight. ▫ Observed from Shore
Liz Kennedy, Powell River, BC
08:18 • 2 Humpback Whales
breaching, heading north just past Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait.
Lots of moaning.
Bill Taylor, Powell River, BC
09:01 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ heading north, south of Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel.
Nick and friend between scallop farm and submarine cables. ▫ Leaving the Scene
12:35 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south by Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait.
A small whale.
Elizabeth Tenhoeve, Powell River, BC
12:52 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south just north of Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
15:26 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north by Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
18:50 • 4 Humpback Whales off Myrtle Point.
2 whales southbound and 2 whales northbound.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Fri Oct 04 2019
08:36 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south across from Myrtle Point close to Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
09:00 • Humpback Whales by Harwood Island Spit angling toward Sliammon, Malaspina Strait.
10:19 • est. 2 Humpback Whales heading north, south of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Saw some pectoral slaps.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:06 • 2 Humpback Whales at Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:25 • Humpback Whales at the top of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
12:00 • Humpback Whales
resting, Cowichan Bay.
Very small humpback whale was resting on the surface while the sealions surrounded him / her. At one point the whale rolled, otherwise didn’t move.
Terry Wicks, Cowichan Bay, BC
12:00 • Humpback Whales heading north off the dock at Sonora Resort on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.
12:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south mid channel from Sonora Resort on Sonora Island.
13:55 • 2 Humpback Whales mid channel between Francisco Point and Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
14:15 • Humpback Whales
breaching off Carrington Bay.
14:55 • Humpback Whales almost to the Sonora Resort on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.
15:20 • Humpback Whales in Plunger Passage closer to Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
15:53 • Humpback Whales just south of Coulter Island heading toward Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:13 • Humpback Whales between Coho (Kiddie) Point and Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait.
16:13 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south in Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
16:35 • Humpback Whales heading north close to shore at Horn Point, Dent Rapids.
16:40 • Humpback Whales in front of the lodge on Dent Island, Dent Rapids.
Friendly Humpback.
16:50 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east 3/4 mile off the middle of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
18:28 • 2 Humpback Whales off Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
18:28 • 3 Humpback Whales off Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
18:28 • 2 Humpback Whales out from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Sat Oct 05 2019
08:38 • 2 Humpback Whales
moving slowly, heading south towards Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
09:24 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:19 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick,BCZ0004 Stripe◦
lunge feeding, 2-km off the shore south of the Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel.
10:31 • 3 Humpback Whales south of Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
11:02 • 3 Humpback Whales
resting, west of Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands.
11:40 • 3 Humpback Whales off Viner Point, Sutil Channel.
13:47 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick,BCZ0004 Stripe◦ off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
13:50 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
14:08 • 2 Humpback Whales
pectoral slapping, heading north off Rebecca Rocks towards Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Big whales.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
15:16 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north about 400-m off the shore approaching Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
15:30 • 2 Humpback Whales
deep diving, south of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Humpback Whales
Humpback calf surrounded by sea lions Cowichan Bay, BC
Sat, 5 Oct 2019 – 1 items
Terry Wicks, Cowichan Bay, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback calf surrounded by sea lions Cowichan Bay, BC
Sat, 5 Oct 2019 – 1 items
Terry Wicks, Cowichan Bay, BC
16:12 • 2 Humpback Whales between Powell River Viewpoint and the cell tower on Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sun Oct 06 2019
09:30 • est. 4-5 Humpback Whales north of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
09:40 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales heading south from Rebecca Rocks and approaching Coho (Kiddie) Point, Georgia Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
09:51 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south in Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
10:30 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ Hourglass◦ at Johnstone Bluff, Calm Channel.
11:55 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south in Burdwood Bay on Read Island, Sutil Channel.
12:20 • 4 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦
foraging, between Mitlenatch Island and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.
Deep diving.
13:40 • 1 Humpback Whales
doing circles, heading south-east off Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy towards Spoil Grounds, Georgia Strait.
14:41 • Humpback Whales
foraging, at Kellsey Point on Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.
14:50 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ Hourglass◦
resting in Arran Rapids.
15:12 • Humpback Whales off Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
Along the ferry line.
17:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east close to Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper) from Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
17:50 • 1 Humpback Whales north of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Mon Oct 07 2019
11:32 • 3 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick,BCY0291 KC,BCZ0004 Stripe◦ heading south tight to the shoreline at Raza Point, Calm Channel.
13:24 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north toward the light in Blubber Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:37 • 2 Humpback Whales close to Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait.
Mom and calf pair.
13:54 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east mid channel on the Powell river side a quarter of the way from Rebecca Rocks to Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
15:56 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south close to shore just south of Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
16:00 • 1 Humpback Whales
lunge feeding, at Kellsey Point, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Fluking.
Tue Oct 08 2019
09:58 • 1 Humpback Whales off Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:00 • 1 Humpback Whales at the east end of Hole in the Wall.
Blow seen on Maurelle Island side of hole in the wall
where it meets calm channel.
10:05 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south near Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
500m off Vancouver Island side.
10:18 • 1 Humpback Whales, Chancellor Channel.
Just off Lee’s Bay fish farm.
10:30 • Humpback Whales off Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait.
10:40 • Humpback Whales
breaching, off Eagle Cove, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
11:17 • Humpback Whales
breaching, off Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Joan Treen, Powell River and Savary Island, BC
12:50 • 1 Humpback Whales off Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Tight to the reef.
14:15 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north at Whiskey Point, Discovery Passage.
15:25 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south from Chatham Point, Johnstone Strait.
Close to Vancouver Island shore. Report received on VHF. ▫ Second Hand
15:30 • 1 Humpback Whales mid-channel in Raza Passage.
Just west of the fish farm.
16:34 • 1 Humpback Whales
moving quickly, heading north from Coho (Kiddie) Point at the NW tip of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
16:34 • 2 Humpback Whales
moving quickly, heading north between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
16:40 • 1 Humpback Whales between Harwood Island Spit and Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
16:45 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales heading south at Granite Point, Discovery Passage.
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks travelling together in the Strait of Georgia
Sun, 6 Oct 2019 – 7 items
Cheyenne Brewster, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks travelling together in the Strait of Georgia
Sun, 6 Oct 2019 – 7 items
Cheyenne Brewster, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks travelling together in the Strait of Georgia
Wed, 2 Oct 2019 – 2 items
Natalie Reichenbacher, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks travelling together in the Strait of Georgia
Wed, 2 Oct 2019 – 2 items
Natalie Reichenbacher, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback surfacing mid nap
Sun, 6 Oct 2019 – 1 items
Discovery West Adventures, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback surfacing mid nap
Sun, 6 Oct 2019 – 1 items
Discovery West Adventures, BC
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Wed Oct 02 2019
11:46 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins
milling, off Hall Point, Sonora Island, Nodales Channel.
14:45 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins heading east, Dent Island, Dent Rapids.
Thu Oct 03 2019
08:30 • PWS Dolphins near Dent Island.
Active little group of dolphins in front of Dent Lodge.
08:36 • PWS Dolphins, Dent Rapids.
Separate larger group of dolphins.
16:00 • est. 60+ PWS Dolphins
milling, by Davis Point, Sonora Island, Nodales Channel.
Fri Oct 04 2019
08:30 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins entering Frederick Arm.
16:20 • PWS Dolphins between Cordero Lodge and Bickley Bay, Cordero Channel.
Large group.
Sat Oct 05 2019
10:45 • PWS Dolphins off Davis Point, Sonora Island, Nodales Channel.
11:00 • est. 50-60 PWS Dolphins half-mile south of Sonora Point, Nodales Channel.
11:30 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins, Frederick Arm.
17:31 • PWS Dolphins in Denham Bay, Dent Rapids.
Active pod.
Tue Oct 08 2019
09:40 • PWS Dolphins
frolicking in Frederick Arm.
Oberved large group about the mouth of the arm.
DALLS PORPOISE
Wed Oct 02 2019
08:30 • Dalls Porpoise off Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Playful group.
Thu Oct 03 2019
16:00 • est. 20 Dalls Porpoise
playing, near Johns Point, Nodales Channel.
Fri Oct 04 2019
11:35 • est. 10 Dalls Porpoise heading north just east of the light in Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Tue Oct 08 2019
11:20 • est. 6 Dalls Porpoise off Saltery Bay Ferry Terminal east of Powell River, Jervis Inlet.
11:36 • Dalls Porpoise in Denham Bay, Dent Rapids.
A large group.
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Sat Oct 05 2019
15:30 • est. 5-6 Harbour Porpoise between Cortez Reef and Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Sun Oct 06 2019
10:00 • 6 Harbour Porpoise between Twin Islands and Hollyhock, Baker Passage.
Archive Explorer
Archive Explorer navigates 15,000+ Cetacean Sightings, images, videos and audio recordings.
*Recommended for desktop browsers and newer mobile devices
Archive Explorer
dives into the Coastal Cetacean world. View Cetacean sighting locations, photos and videos:
- All species including Orca, Humpback, Grey Whale or Dalls Porpoise
- Follow the endangered Southern Residents Orca in the Salish Sea
- Search for encounters with T002C2 Tumbo
- Witness a close-up Orca encounter video in Port Alberni harbour
- Follow the T010s Transients as they hunt and travel the inside passage
- Track “KC”, the ever popular Humphack’s movements this past August
- Locate any of 12,000 named locations on the BC and WA State coast
- Print custom sighting reports and maps (Coming Soon)
Archive Explorer
Help Page explains many advanced functions
Send your Comments and Questions to:
Archive Explorer Feedback
Sightings
Open Data includes all sightings data, photos and videos, in a table you can filter and download.