The Dorsal Fins of Orca
Cover Image:
Transient Biggs Killer Whale fin slicing through the water!
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
An adult male Orca can be identified by its dorsal fin that can grow up to 2-meters tall. Their dorsal fins can be seen from a significant distance away (i.e. a few kilometers away). The dorsal fins of female Orca can be up to 1-meter tall and tend to be more curved compared to the fins of males. Humpback whales could be identified by their blows which could reach heights of 3-4 meters and can also be seen from a distance. Humpback whales may breach occasionally and one may see them breaching as well as their splash from far away. Send us your sightings of whales and dolphins as you go out to enjoy our warmer weather!
The Federal Government (DFO) issued the following statement about watching Orca in the wild: “Vessels must stay at least 400 m away from all killer whales in southern British Columbia coastal waters between Campbell River and Ucluelet, including Barkley and Howe Sound. This is in effect year-round until May 31, 2023. If killer whales approach any vessel, boaters should place their engine in neutral and wait for the animals to pass.”
For all other areas of B.C. outside of the area indicated above, a minimum distance of 200-m must be maintained when viewing Orca. When viewing other species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, a minimum distance of 100-m must be kept.
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
Presentations:
Saturday, June 25, 2022 1 pm at the Taku Resort and Marina on Quadra Island WOWs presents World of Whales…it's all about the food multimedia presentation. We hope to see you there in person.
Events Scheduled:
Friday, July 1, 2022 3 pm – 10:30 pm at Willingdon Beach, Powell River, BC Canada Day Celebrations complete with live entertainment and a fireworks finale. Stop by our booth for a chat.
Saturday, July 16, 2022 8 am – 4 pm at Lynn Valley Park, North Vancouver, BC Lynn Valley Days. Visit our booth.
Saturday, July 16, 2022 8 am – 4 pm at Lynn Valley Park, North Vancouver, BC Lynn Valley Days. Visit our booth.
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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? Updates on current availabilities and revised links will be posted here in the new year.
Review our previous Volunteer Job Postings Job Postings are slowly being revamped and not yet on our web sites.
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2022-013
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Tue Jun 14 2022
21:15 • Biggs Orca ◦T123s, T137s◦ heading north in Kye Bay near Comox, Georgia Strait.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Thu Jun 16 2022
08:00 • 3 Biggs Orca heading north off Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
08:00 • Biggs Orca heading north in front of Campbell River Ferry Terminal, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
17:00 • Biggs Orca heading south off Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Fri Jun 17 2022
20:08 • Biggs Orca heading north between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
20:22 • est. 5 Biggs Orca heading south between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island. Really big fin Orca. Probaby why the Humpbacks headed south in a hurry.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat Jun 18 2022
09:13 • Biggs Orca along the south side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Jessica Parker, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:56 • Biggs Orca heading towards Baker Passage.
Stan Novotny, Stan Novotny Productions
11:45 • 3 Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ off Twin Islands, Baker Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T101s – near shore in Baker Passage
Sat, 18 Jun 2022 – 1 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T101s – near shore in Baker Passage
Sat, 18 Jun 2022 – 1 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
11:58 • Biggs Orca off Powell Islets, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Lorill Vining, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:40 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north-west near Tiber Bay, Cortes Island, Lewis Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales travelling together
Sat, 18 Jun 2022 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales travelling together
Sat, 18 Jun 2022 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:31 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north past Junction Point and near Squirrel Cove, Lewis Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:45 • 3 Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦, Teakerne Arm.
Radio, overheard or call out
16:18 • 3 Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading south along the shoreline in Teakerne Arm.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
17:15 • 3 Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading south near Refuge Cove on West Redonda Island, Lewis Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
17:24 • Biggs Orca heading south towards Junction Point, Cortes Island, Lewis Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Jun 19 2022
15:00 • 1 Biggs Orca heading south off Rock Bay towards Chatham Point, Johnstone Strait. The orca had a big fin and was travelling close to shore.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Mon Jun 20 2022
06:05 • est. 5 Biggs Orca milling, heading south-east between Myrtle Rocks and Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. Moving very slowly, resting on surface at times, and circling back. Sometimes apart, then sometimes very close together, spy hopping and tail lobbing too. ▫ Observed from Shore
Liz Kennedy, Powell River, BC
11:17 • Biggs Orca off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:24 • Biggs Orca heading west on Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:29 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading north between Big Rock Boat Ramp, Campbell River and Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
17:46 • Biggs Orca approaching Maud Island in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Sat Jun 18 2022
09:00 • Orca in Dent Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun Jun 19 2022
15:00 • Orca heading south towards Chatham Point near Rock Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Jun 20 2022
13:35 • Orca off Peile Point, Prevost Island, Trincomali Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
HUMPBACK WHALES
Thu Jun 16 2022
09:00 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south off Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
09:10 • 2 Humpback Whales near Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:03 • 1 Humpback Whales just south of Kanish Bay.
11:07 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north moving into Kanish Bay.
Amelia Plexman, Sonora Resort
11:51 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south, angled toward Mitlenatch Island over the abandoned spoil grounds, south of Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
12:06 • 4 Humpback Whales near Mitlenatch Island south of Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy. Mom and calf were active.
12:10 • Humpback Whales north end of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Distant blow seen.
Stuart Clark, Stan Novotny Productions
12:58 • 2 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Spoil Grounds, Georgia Strait. Mom and calf.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:15 • 2 Humpback Whales off Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge by Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Discovery Passage. Mom and calf.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:30 • 1 Humpback Whales near Mermaid Bay, Dent Rapids.
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:10 • Humpback Whales north side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
15:10 • Humpback Whales along Sonora shore by Dent Rapids.
16:00 • Humpback Whales just south of Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
16:16 • 2 Humpback Whales between Dogfish Bay and Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri Jun 17 2022
09:25 • 2 Humpback Whales near Francisco Point on Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
09:25 • Humpback Whales west of Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:56 • Humpback Whales at Francisco Point on Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
10:20 • est. 4+ Humpback Whales between Sentry Shoal and Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. More puffs toward Savary.
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:48 • Humpback Whales near Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
11:55 • 4 Humpback Whales off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:13 • 3 Humpback Whales milling, just north east of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:20 • 2 Humpback Whales in Oyster Bay, Georgia Strait.
14:20 • Humpback Whales north of Oyster Bay.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:56 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Montgomery Bank, Georgia Strait.
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:57 • Humpback Whales between Shelter Point and Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
15:08 • 2 Humpback Whales off Savary Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:10 • Humpback Whales at Copper Bluffs on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
18:53 • est. 1 Humpback Whales breaching, between Powell River Viewpoint and the light at Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
19:19 • est. 5+ Humpback Whales just south of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
19:50 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north off Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
20:02 • 2 Humpback Whales tail lobs, off Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Sat Jun 18 2022
11:05 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north towards Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Stan Novotny, Stan Novotny Productions
13:15 • 3 Humpback Whales west side of Mitlenatch Island.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:50 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north near Tiber Bay, Cortes Island, Lewis Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback diving near Cortes Island, Lewis Channel
Sat, 18 Jun 2022 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback diving near Cortes Island, Lewis Channel
Sat, 18 Jun 2022 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:10 • 3 Humpback Whales east side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:39 • 3 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:00 • Humpback Whales near Squirrel Cove, Lewis Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:33 • 3 Humpback Whales milling, between Mitlenatch Island and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait. Left the scene at 15:45.
Lorill Vining, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:00 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south just north of Refuge Cove, West Redonda Island, Lewis Channel.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
16:15 • Humpback Whales across from Teakerne Arm, Lewis Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
17:15 • Humpback Whales breaching, in Gillies Bay, Georgia Strait. Breached numerous times. Could have been 2 whales.
SM, Gillies Bay, BC
17:50 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south from Kinghorn Island towards Mary Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
18:10 • Humpback Whales just south of Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun Jun 19 2022
07:00 • 1 Humpback Whales north end of Erasmus Island, Cordero Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
10:10 • Humpback Whales between Grant Reefs on Savary Island, Georgia Strait.
10:20 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, below Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait. Mom and calf.
10:30 • Humpback Whales closer to Vivian Island, Georgia Strait.
10:40 • Humpback Whales off Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:45 • 2 Humpback Whales north of Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait. It was a mother and calf.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
11:00 • est. 6+ Humpback Whales between Vivian Island and Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
11:01 • 1 Humpback Whales heading east between Montgomery Bank and Savary Island, Georgia Strait.
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:16 • 2 Humpback Whales southwest of Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
11:23 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Grant Reefs.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
11:30 • est. 6-8 Humpback Whales spread out, off Grant Reefs.
Elvis Chikite, Campbell River, BC
11:45 • 2 Humpback Whales west of Little Dent Island, Dent Rapids.
Amelia Plexman, Sonora Resort
12:55 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:02 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, between Powell River Viewpoint and Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs), Malaspina Strait. It breached at least five times.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
13:10 • Humpback Whales heading south off Kinghorn Island, Lewis Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:43 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
15:35 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading north between Hill Island and Center Islet, Sutil Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:30 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, between Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper) and Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs), Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
18:45 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, off Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait.
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
Mon Jun 20 2022
09:44 • 2 Humpback Whales at the Spoil Grounds south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. Pointed at Mitlenatch Island.
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
10:52 • 1 Humpback Whales near the south end of Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:05 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south to the north-east of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:59 • 2 Humpback Whales between Sentry Shoal and Manson Passage, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:15 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Coulter Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:48 • 2 Humpback Whales at the end of the reef at the northeast side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
18:52 • Humpback Whales heading south off Coulter Island, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue Jun 21 2022
11:05 • 1 Humpback Whales in Frederick Arm.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:13 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, off Denham Islet, Dent Rapids.
13:31 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south, tight on the shore of Sonora Island, Discovery Passage.
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:05 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south near Horn Bay, Dent Rapids.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks – Mary and Nova – showing off their flukes!
Wed, 8 Jun 2022 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks – Mary and Nova – showing off their flukes!
Wed, 8 Jun 2022 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks – Neptune (MMY0134), KC (BCY0291) & Harlequin (BCX1845) by Campbell River
Mon, 20 Jun 2022 – 5 items
Andy Scheffler, Big Animal Encounters
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks – Neptune (MMY0134), KC (BCY0291) & Harlequin (BCX1845) by Campbell River
Mon, 20 Jun 2022 – 5 items
Andy Scheffler, Big Animal Encounters
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Thu Jun 16 2022
13:25 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins in Elk Bay, Discovery Passage.
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri Jun 17 2022
08:25 • PWS Dolphins off Hemming Bay on East Thurlow Island, Nodales Channel. Small group.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Mon Jun 20 2022
14:30 • PWS Dolphins off Moriarty Point, Discovery Passage.
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue Jun 21 2022
13:00 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins milling, just south of Howe Island, Nodales Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:10 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins heading east entering Thurston Bay, Nodales Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins swimming close to surface!
Sat, 18 Jun 2022 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins swimming close to surface!
Sat, 18 Jun 2022 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
DALLS PORPOISE
Fri Jun 17 2022
16:00 • Dalls Porpoise Jimmy Judd Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Sat Jun 18 2022
16:10 • Harbour Porpoise off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Archive Explorer
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The Magazine
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RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
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