The Size of Humpback Whales
Cover Image:
Humpback Whale in Sutil Channel
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback whales are large whales, reaching lengths of up to 16-m (55 feet). One can see and realize how large they are when they expose their whole body as they breach. If you are on a boat and a Humpback comes towards you, you can definitely observe their relative size and enormity. Humpbacks are large but their cousins like the blue whale and the fin whale are even larger, which are rarely seen in inland channels and waterways. Adult male Orca can reach lengths of up to 8-m (25 feet) and compared to a human, they can be considered large relatively. The dorsal fin of an adult male Orca can reach a height of 2-m (6 feet) which can be spotted many kilometers away.
The Federal Government (DFO) statement about watching whales in the wild: “To address disturbance in the presence of whales, a mandatory 400-metre vessel approach distance for all killer whales is in effect starting June 1, 2020 in all southern British Columbia coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet. The Marine Mammal Regulations continue to remain in effect year-round, including maintaining a minimum 200 metre approach distance from all killer whales in Canadian Pacific waters other than described above, and 100 metres for other whales, porpoises and dolphins OR 200 metres when the animal is in resting position or with a calf.”
WOWs works throughout the year, so please continue to keep your eyes open, and report your sightings to us.
Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Society News & Events
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Thank You to our Volunteers and Contributors!
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2021-029
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Thu Oct 07 2021
13:43 • 3+ Biggs Orca pointing toward Rebecca Rocks from Coho (Kiddie) Point, Malaspina Strait. Two big and one small. More Orca seen a few minutes later all spread out.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Fri Oct 08 2021
09:15 • Biggs Orca heading north, Lewis Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:40 • 7 Biggs Orca heading north, South Rendezvous Island, Calm Channel.
11:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T100s◦ hunting, between Bullock Bluff and South Rendezvous Island, Calm Channel. Were running tight to shore till after their meal. Other Orca were not seen.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:16 • Biggs Orca ◦T100s◦ hunting, below Bullock Bluff, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. On a sea lion kill.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
17:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T100s◦ heading south close to shore off Bonniebrook by Gibsons, Georgia Strait.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
Sat Oct 09 2021
10:00 • Biggs Orca by Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. Large gathering.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
11:10 • 4 Biggs Orca hunting, off Whitebeach Point, Havannah Channel. Looks like they’re hunting seals.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
12:15 • 2 Biggs Orca hunting, heading north-east off the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal, West Vancouver, Queen Charlotte Channel. ▫ Observed from Shore
CM, North Vancouver, BC
14:10 • Biggs Orca heading north-west off Separation Head, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
16:19 • 5 Biggs Orca heading south 200-m off the Vancouver Island shore in front of Painters Lodge, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Oct 10 2021
07:49 • 5 Biggs Orca heading south-east off the Cape Mudge Lighthouse towards Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:55 • Biggs Orca heading south off Spoil Grounds south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Oct 13 2021
11:40 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north just south of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Mitlenatch Island
Wed, 13 Oct 2021 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Mitlenatch Island
Wed, 13 Oct 2021 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:30 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ milling, off the red can at Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:57 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north-west between Marina Island and Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. First seen spread out and resting near Smelt Bay, Cortes Island. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Thu Oct 14 2021
17:31 • Biggs Orca heading south just south of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. One big fin (male) so far confirmed.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Tue, 12 Oct 2021 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Tue, 12 Oct 2021 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Tue Oct 12 2021
18:50 • 2 Orca heading west of Cracroft Point, West Cracroft Island, Johnstone Strait. The orca both had big fins.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
HUMPBACK WHALES
Mon Oct 04 2021
13:45 • 4 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading north-west mid Strait two thirds of the way to Sand Heads from Active Pass, Georgia Strait. Surfaced swimming fast on intercept course. Slowed boat down to 2k and confirmed sounder off. Instead of passing ahead they too slowed right down and edged closer and closer till fairly close along side (20 meters). One larger (30’), one mid sized (20′), and two very small young. Stayed half on surface and half just below (disturbed water showing). Deep loud breathing. After languidly drifting parallel, the largest began snorting louder and acting agitated and puffy. Then eventually falling just behind, adopted a torpedo stance rapidly charging towards rear of boat, pushing up a dramatic "bow wave" with its large rounded head. Took as shooing and obediently increased throttle to maintain distance and show leaving. Pursued briefly without attempting to catch up then circled back to others in apparent triumph. They stayed on surface awhile longer in the distance resuming their course NW. Mid sized whale had white patch ahead of fin, looked like could alternately be a raw wound. Sun was creating gleam of wake at waterline and wet body, further making markings hard to confirm. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
DM, Richmond, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales near Active Pass, Georgia Strait
Mon, 4 Oct 2021 – 5 items
DM, Richmond, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales near Active Pass, Georgia Strait
Mon, 4 Oct 2021 – 5 items
DM, Richmond, BC
Thu Oct 07 2021
08:00 • 3 Humpback Whales foraging, off the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:00 • est. 9 Humpback Whales between Montgomery Bank and Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
09:45 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:18 • Humpback Whales, Drew Harbour. Saw blows. ▫ Second Hand
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
10:40 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Raza,BCY0057 Niagara◦ right inside Drew Harbour.
10:40 • 2 Humpback Whales above Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:30 • Humpback Whales at Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
13:00 • 2 Humpback Whales at Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
14:00 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Raza,BCY0057 Niagara◦ outside Von Donop Inlet, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:02 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north at Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
14:23 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south at Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
15:29 • 2 Humpback Whales close to shore of Von Donop Inlet, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:20 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north in front of Turn Island, Johnstone Strait.
Natalie Evans, Blind Channel Resort
16:31 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri Oct 08 2021
–:– • 1 Humpback Whales off Cape Roger Curtis, Bowen Island, Georgia Strait. Circled and dived around our boat about 6 times before heading out into the Strait. Pretty exciting! We just watched. We were not fishing, just a slow cruise, in the beautiful afternoon. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
Janetty, Lions Bay, BC
08:30 • 3 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:48 • 3 Humpback Whales ◦BCY Pepper◦ foraging, off Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
11:57 • est. 4-5 Humpback Whales foraging, south of Rebecca Rocks quite a way over toward Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
17:35 • 3 Humpback Whales between the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy and Francisco Point, Georgia Strait.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Oct 10 2021
08:02 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales between Francisco Point and Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:35 • 4 Humpback Whales heading south-east off the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:30 • Humpback Whales at Rock Point, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
10:49 • est. 5+ Humpback Whales foraging, west of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ From Ferry
Ron Johnston, Savary Island, BC
11:30 • 3 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Raza◦ at the Spoil Grounds south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. Being harassed by sea lions.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:41 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, south of Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
12:01 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales south of Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy at Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:48 • 2 Humpback Whales resting, between Penn Islands and Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. Angled southward.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:03 • 3 Humpback Whales east of Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy on Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
15:20 • 2 Humpback Whales between Marina Island and Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.
15:28 • 1 Humpback Whales milling, off Francisco Point on Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
17:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Myrtle Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Mon Oct 11 2021
07:30 • 2 Humpback Whales feeding, off the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
08:35 • 1 Humpback Whales in Von Donop Inlet, Sutil Channel.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:18 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales west side of Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
09:52 • 3 Humpback Whales south of the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:24 • 2 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Vivian Island, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
12:54 • 2 Humpback Whales just north of Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
13:26 • 10 Humpback Whales near Grant Reefs, Vivian Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales in Georgia Strait
Mon, 11 Oct 2021 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales in Georgia Strait
Mon, 11 Oct 2021 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:31 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales off Vivian Island, Georgia Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
16:06 • 2 Humpback Whales off the ferry line and Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:10 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales just west of Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
16:34 • est. 4+ Humpback Whales feeding, off Crescent Bay, Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
Terry Brown and Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
16:42 • 2 Humpback Whales heading toward Vivian Island, Georgia Strait. Possibly the same 2 seen at Rebecca Rocks that dove when the ferry passed.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Wed Oct 13 2021
07:30 • 6 Humpback Whales between Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy and Francisco Point, Georgia Strait.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:30 • 1 Humpback Whales 1 mile off the Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Wed, 13 Oct 2021 – 8 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Wed, 13 Oct 2021 – 8 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:36 • 2 Humpback Whales just south of red can at Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu Oct 14 2021
10:30 • 1 Humpback Whales by Kellsey Point, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.
11:30 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading south off Church House, Calm Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:42 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Harlequin,BCY0291 KC◦ for the last hour, off Hole in the Wall.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
12:45 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Harlequin,BCY0291 KC◦ at the east end of Hole in the Wall. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:20 • 2 Humpback Whales tail lobs, just south of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
14:28 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Harlequin,BCY0057 Niagara◦ foraging, off Bartlett Islet, Calm Channel.
14:28 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ a couple of miles away from Bartlett Islet. 0.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Fri Oct 15 2021
07:42 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Oct 17 2021
10:13 • 3 Humpback Whales milling, south of Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy at Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
11:24 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between Mitlenatch Island and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.
12:53 • 2 Humpback Whales between Wilby Shoals and Shelter Point, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:00 • 1 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point on Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:18 • 1 Humpback Whales heading west between Coho (Kiddie) Point and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Just dove down.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Thu Oct 07 2021
11:05 • est. 10-15 PWS Dolphins by Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.
14:30 • PWS Dolphins Hill Island, Sutil Channel. small group.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:12 • est. 20 PWS Dolphins milling, at the south tip of the bigger of the Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Oct 10 2021
10:35 • PWS Dolphins moving quickly, heading east in Baker Passage. ▫ Second Hand
11:00 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins at Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:11 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins heading south, south of Spoil Grounds south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Mon Oct 11 2021
11:20 • PWS Dolphins between Sentry Shoal and Savary Island, Georgia Strait. Large group.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:20 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins heading north between Sentry Shoal and Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Georgia Strait
Mon, 11 Oct 2021 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Georgia Strait
Mon, 11 Oct 2021 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:38 • PWS Dolphins circling prey, 1 nm east of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:06 • est. 100+ PWS Dolphins off the ferry line and Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:38 • 100+ PWS Dolphins off Crescent Bay, Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
Terry Brown and Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
Wed Oct 13 2021
09:13 • PWS Dolphins south of Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:50 • est. 150 PWS Dolphins heading south off Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Oct 14 2021
17:20 • PWS Dolphins in Granite Bay, Quadra Island, Kanish Bay.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
DALLS PORPOISE
Thu Oct 07 2021
08:46 • Dalls Porpoise on the east side of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:00 • Dalls Porpoise heading south in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. A large pod. Information heard over VHF radio. ▫ Second Hand
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Oct 10 2021
10:30 • Dalls Porpoise at Rock Point, Johnstone Strait. Many porpoises.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Mon Oct 11 2021
12:10 • Dalls Porpoise near Spilsbury Point, Baker Passage. Just a handful.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Oct 14 2021
13:17 • est. 15 Dalls Porpoise playing, at Horn Point, Dent Rapids.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sun Oct 17 2021
13:03 • 12 Dalls Porpoise between Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy and Willow Point, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
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