Behaviours of Whales
Cover Image:
Humpback Whale, Geometry
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Whales can be very active and noticeable at the surface of the water. Active Humpback whales may be breaching, lunge-feeding, doing tail lobs, or doing pectoral slaps. On occasion, Humpback whales could also be seen doing very little such as milling in an area, travelling slowly, or even resting. Orca can be seen hunting their prey and they could be moving quickly or they could be moving slowly in a stealthy manner. Pacific White-Sided dolphins could be in front of boats bow-riding or doing leaps out of the water. Next time you see a Cetacean, try to note if they are displaying a specific behaviour and let us know!
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
Events Scheduled:
Instagram and Twitter: Instagram at Wildoceanwhalesociety and Twitter at WhalesDolphins
For Research:
For research access to 30,000+ sightings in our database in a downloadable csv file for use in a spreadsheet, please Click Here. to fill in your request.
WOWs Website:
We are pleased to announce that our revamped website is up and running. Take a look and let us know what you think.
Real Time Monitoring Station Live Update
Our Live Web Camera YouTube Channel streams from Powell River 24/7 with views towards Texada – Vancouver Island – Savary and up towards Cortez. Hope you've been seeing some of the whales.
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: 2022-020
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Sun Jul 31 2022
09:45 • Biggs Orca heading north passing Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:23 • Biggs Orca heading north off Elk Bay, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:27 • 3 Biggs Orca heading north past Elk Point, Discovery Passage.
11:07 • 3 Biggs Orca passing Rock Bay, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:25 • 3 Biggs Orca heading north off Bear Point, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Tue Aug 02 2022
15:12 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading north-west at Maple Bay, Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
Simon Piddock, Ocean EcoVentures Parksville
Wed Aug 03 2022
14:20 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ near Okeover Inlet. They were at the mouth of the inlet heading in.
14:55 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ moving slowly, heading south-west approaching Sarah Point, Desolation Sound. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – July 31st to August 3rd
Tue, 2 Aug 2022 – 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – July 31st to August 3rd
Tue, 2 Aug 2022 – 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Tue Aug 02 2022
14:20 • NRKW Orca milling, at Bold Head, Swanson Island, Queen Charlotte Strait. A50 matriline. ▫ Second Hand
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:20 • NRKW Orca heading south-east along the shore of Swanson Island, Blackfish Sound. A50 matriline.
14:48 • NRKW Orca east of Freshwater Bay, Swanson Island, Village Passage. A50 matriline. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Thu Aug 04 2022
20:00 • est. 15 Orca moving slowly, heading north off Roberts Bank, Georgia Strait. Seen on both sides of the ferry. ▫ From Ferry
GC
HUMPBACK WHALES
Sun Jul 31 2022
06:03 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales at the north end of Lewis Channel.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:36 • 3 Humpback Whales north of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:03 • 6 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Nova Tulloch, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:14 • 3 Humpback Whales foraging off Quadra Island in the middle of Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:17 • 1 Humpback Whales to the south-east of Rebecca Spit in the middle of Sutil Channel. Large whale.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
15:18 • 1 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Carrington Island, Sutil Channel.
15:43 • est. 6-8 Humpback Whales off the south side of Hill Island, Sutil Channel. Some whales were active. Left the scene at 16:00.
16:14 • 1 Humpback Whales about 1-mile east of Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:18 • 2 Humpback Whales resting, between Francisco Point and Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
16:31 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:56 • 2 Humpback Whales off the Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel. The whales were about 200-m apart.
18:03 • 2 Humpback Whales abeam the north end of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
18:21 • 3 Humpback Whales west of Marina Island in the middle of Sutil Channel.
19:37 • 8 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
19:55 • est. 8-12 Humpback Whales heading east between Comox (Little River) Ferry Terminal and Powell River Ferry Terminal, Georgia Strait. Continued to see multiple whales surfacing repeatidly over 20-25 minutes. They were moving together in groups of two and three. Others were on their own but seeming to be within a few miles of the first sighted to the last one sighted.
Bryan Wolf
Mon Aug 01 2022
08:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north close to shore near Bullock Bluff, Cortes Island, Calm Channel.
08:30 • 1 Humpback Whales near Coulter Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. Observed from a distance (Penn Islands).
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:40 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north at the south end of Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:45 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north-east from Penn Islands towards Von Donop Inlet, Sutil Channel.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:51 • 2 Humpback Whales resting, off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Nova Tulloch, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:57 • 2 Humpback Whales near Von Donop Inlet, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
08:57 • est. 3-4 Humpback Whales between Penn Islands and Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
09:12 • 2 Humpback Whales in Evans Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:47 • Humpback Whales 1-NM offshore abeam the south end of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
10:56 • 3 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:08 • 1 Humpback Whales resting, between Coulter Bay and Hill Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:10 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales abeam Carrington Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
11:18 • 2 Humpback Whales near Quartz Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
11:25 • 1 Humpback Whales off Frederic Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:00 • Humpback Whales between Marina Island and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. Many whales. Fairly active.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:42 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north along the east shore of Hill Island, Sutil Channel. Mother and calf pair. ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:49 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north off Lake Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
16:18 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, 2-NM northeast of Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
Tue Aug 02 2022
08:52 • 5 Humpback Whales between Cortez Reef, Mitlenatch Island, and Manson Passage, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
08:53 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north between Powell River Viewpoint and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
10:07 • est. 4-6 Humpback Whales taking long dives, between Francisco Point and Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. Very active. Dives are anywhere between 6 to 7 minutes.
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south in Sutil Channel.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:40 • 4 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
11:52 • Humpback Whales south of Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. A few animals.
12:55 • 1 Humpback Whales heading east approaching Frederic Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:00 • 2 Humpback Whales resting, west of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:55 • 1 Humpback Whales foraging, at Cracroft Point, West Cracroft Island, Johnstone Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:10 • est. 6-7 Humpback Whales between Viner Point and Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:49 • 4 Humpback Whales off Whaletown on Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
17:20 • 11 Humpback Whales heading south from Whaletown to Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
17:41 • 2 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
18:15 • est. 15 Humpback Whales heading north-west from Whaletown to Viner Point, Sutil Channel.
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Aug 03 2022
10:19 • est. 5+ Humpback Whales just south of Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Jessica Parker, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:35 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, off the Spoil Grounds south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. It breached a few times.
11:45 • Humpback Whales between Whaletown and the north end of Marina Island, Sutil Channel. Multiple whales.
15:10 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south outside Squirrel Cove, Cortes Island, Lewis Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:45 • 1 Humpback Whales just south of Church House, Calm Channel. It was very close to shore.
17:00 • est. 12+ Humpback Whales between Plunger Passage and the north-west side of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
18:38 • 1 Humpback Whales south of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Nova Tulloch, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Aug 04 2022
08:45 • 2 Humpback Whales just south of Spoil Grounds south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:35 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south at Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:05 • 3 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south close to Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:09 • est. 4-5 Humpback Whales mid-channel between Dogfish Bay and south end of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:48 • est. 6+ Humpback Whales near Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:01 • 2 Humpback Whales at Read Point, Sutil Channel.
11:04 • 2 Humpback Whales mid-channel at Cortes Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel.
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:35 • 1 Humpback Whales off Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:41 • 3 Humpback Whales milling, outside Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:41 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north, just north of the Texada Island cell tower, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:50 • 1 Humpback Whales just east of Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:37 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, south-west of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Nova Tulloch, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:40 • 4 Humpback Whales active around Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
14:14 • 6 Humpback Whales just south of Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:37 • est. 3+ Humpback Whales active off Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
Nova Tulloch, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:00 • est. 2 Humpback Whales breaching, heading north-west, southeast of Read Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
JM, Quadra Island Kayaks
17:05 • 1 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
SW, Powell River, BC
Fri Aug 05 2022
07:57 • est. 3+ Humpback Whales north of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
08:35 • 5 Humpback Whales breaching, off Rebecca Rocks. Pectoral slapping.
SW, Powell River, BC
08:55 • 4 Humpback Whales between Francisco Point and Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:04 • 4 Humpback Whales south of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Zoe Hasenfratz, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:41 • est. 12+ Humpback Whales between Marina Island and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
12:00 • 2 Humpback Whales playing, off Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
12:30 • 2 Humpback Whales off Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
12:55 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south, south of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:55 • Humpback Whales off Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:59 • 4 Humpback Whales taking long dives, off Marina Island shack. 6-8 minute dives.
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:05 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south, north of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:17 • 1 Humpback Whales in front of Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel.
Nova Tulloch, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:20 • 1 Humpback Whales between Francisco Point and Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Zoe Hasenfratz, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:25 • 3 Humpback Whales doing circles, south of Rendezvous Islands, Drew Passage. Sleepy. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:27 • 4 Humpback Whales milling, off Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:37 • 1 Humpback Whales in Sutil Channel.
13:37 • Humpback Whales resting, south of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:45 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:08 • 2 Humpback Whales west of Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:12 • 4 Humpback Whales playing, off Marina Reef.
Zoe Hasenfratz, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:55 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Quathiaski Cove Ferry Terminal, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:27 • Humpback Whales south of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Doing pectoral slaps.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
17:30 • est. 5 Humpback Whales south of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
17:39 • 3 Humpback Whales north of Mitlenatch Island.
Nova Tulloch, Campbell River Whale Watching
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales seen July 31st to August 2nd
Tue, 2 Aug 2022 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales seen July 31st to August 2nd
Tue, 2 Aug 2022 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale, Geometry
Tue, 2 Aug 2022 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale, Geometry
Tue, 2 Aug 2022 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
MINKE WHALES
Sun Jul 31 2022
10:45 • 1 Minke Whales heading south off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sun Jul 31 2022
12:40 • 5 PWS Dolphins milling, off Denham Islet, Dent Rapids.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:45 • est. 60 PWS Dolphins moving quickly, heading south, Yuculta Rapids.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:02 • est. 60 PWS Dolphins heading south off the south side of Stuart Island, Calm Channel. Were headed into Bute inlet but have turned towards Church house. Travelling at 14 knots.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:56 • PWS Dolphins off Mayes Point at the north end of Read Island, Drew Passage.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
Mon Aug 01 2022
14:00 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins milling, near Owen Bay, Sonora Island, Okisollo Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Okisollo Channel
Mon, 1 Aug 2022 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Okisollo Channel
Mon, 1 Aug 2022 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:08 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins foraging, in front of Grant Island, Okisollo Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue Aug 02 2022
16:56 • est. 75 PWS Dolphins playing, west of Knox Bay, West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
17:08 • est. 75 PWS Dolphins moving slowly, heading west towards Bear Bight, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Aug 03 2022
14:52 • est. 75 PWS Dolphins off Denham Islet, Dent Rapids.
Peter Murray, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Aug 04 2022
10:57 • PWS Dolphins at Gomer Island, Nodales Channel. ▫ Second Hand
13:45 • est. 100+ PWS Dolphins at Denham Bay, Dent Rapids.
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:50 • PWS Dolphins heading south moving past Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
Kaitlin Paquette, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:15 • est. 100+ PWS Dolphins milling in Frederick Arm.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Wed, 3 Aug 2022 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Wed, 3 Aug 2022 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
DALLS PORPOISE
Sun Jul 31 2022
11:40 • Dalls Porpoise in Channe Passage, Cordero Channel.
12:32 • Dalls Porpoise between Hall Point and Johns Point, Nodales Channel.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
Archive Explorer
Archive Explorer navigates 25,000+ Cetacean Sightings, images, videos and audio recordings. Please use the the funnel in our Map for access to our huge range of filters. Those wishing Research information in a spreadsheet format, please Click Here
*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 Humpback's movements
- 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
To access 25,000+ sightings in our database in a downloadable csv file for use in a research spreadsheet, please Click Here.