There appears to be many Humpback whales in waterways and inland channels. Humpback whales were observed in Johnstone Strait, Discovery Passage, Georgia Strait, Malaspina Strait, and off Nanaimo as well as the Sunshine Coast. Eventhough they may be well offshore (e.g. a few kilometers), their blows can be seen from a distance with the naked eye. Their presence could also be indicated by the splash created by them when they breach. Also in our report are sightings of Transient Orca, pods of Pacific White-Sided dolphins, and one sighting of Harbour porpoise. Let us know what you see!
Go to our Magazine section to see video footage of a newborn Humpback whale off of Monterey, California. Also, learn about the decline of the Grey whale population and the presence of the Southern Resident Orca in Puget Sound, Washington.
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.
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2022-034
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Wed Nov 16 2022
07:40 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca heading west abeam Yorke Island on the shore of Vancouver Island, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Fri Nov 18 2022
15:36 • 5 Biggs Orca heading south out from the Comox (Little River) Ferry Terminal, Georgia Strait. ▫ From Ferry
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Sat Nov 19 2022
13:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ on the north side of West Redonda Island, Pryce Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Mon Nov 21 2022
11:17 • 3 Biggs Orca at Tyee Spit, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Tue Nov 22 2022
08:40 • Biggs Orca heading north just passing Big Rock, Georgia Strait.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Nov 24 2022
14:03 • 6 Biggs Orca just north of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Some big fins. May be feeding.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Fri Nov 25 2022
14:31 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca off Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait.
At least one close to a humpback sighted in the same area.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Sat Nov 26 2022
09:00 • 5 Biggs Orca in Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Sun Nov 27 2022
07:20 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca heading west at Bear Point, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
HUMPBACK WHALES
Wed Nov 16 2022
12:00 • est. 4-14 Humpback Whales
foraging, just outside Departure Bay from Gabriola Island to Snake Island, Georgia Strait.
Multiple sightings from my home with spotting scope over a 3 hour period. Hard to determine actual number … saw 12-14 whales in total. May have seen same whales multiple times so maybe actual number 4-6 whales. ▫ Observed from Shore
Al Thomson, Nanaimo, BC
12:32 • Humpback Whales heading south to the south of Willow Point close to Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Nov 17 2022
13:38 • 2 Humpback Whales on the west side of Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:05 • est. 10-12 Humpback Whales
taking long dives, off Point Cowan, Bowen Island, Georgia Strait.
Multiple blows seen about every 10 minutes. The whales were spread out – two groups each with 3-4 individuals and one larger group of about 6 whales. One whale doing multiple tail slaps for a while. Observed through binoculars from Whytecliff Park, West Vancouver. ▫ Observed from Shore
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
Fri Nov 18 2022
08:45 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales west of Vivian Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ From Ferry
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
11:45 • Humpback Whales heading south past Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Esther Hollink, Brown’s Bay Resort
12:15 • 1 Humpback Whales
breaching, a third of the way between Harwood Island and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
15:30 • Humpback Whales just out from the Comox (Little River) Ferry Terminal pointed at Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait. ▫ From Ferry
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Sun Nov 20 2022
07:35 • Humpback Whales off Camp Point, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
11:40 • 2 Humpback Whales heading out of Drew Harbour.
Close to Rebecca Spit (Quadra Island).
Kassandra Radis, Quadra Island Kayaks
12:25 • Humpback Whales in the south end of Sargeaunt Passage, Tribune Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Mon Nov 21 2022
16:30 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales
foraging, heading south, just south of Mouat Islands, Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
Crossed the bay. Lots of blowing. They came right into Mouat Bay. ▫ Observed from Shore
Sandy & Lee McCormick, Texada Island, BC
Wed Nov 23 2022
12:03 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south close to Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales near Powell River
Wed, 23 Nov 2022 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales near Powell River
Wed, 23 Nov 2022 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:59 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south mid strait out from Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Fri Nov 25 2022
08:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, just south of Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
14:28 • 2 Humpback Whales by the southwest end of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
14:31 • est. 3-4 Humpback Whales off Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
16:15 • est. 7 Humpback Whales on both sides of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Large number of HBs; counted six on the Texada side and two on the Harwood side. They dove as the ferry approached.
SW, Powell River, BC
Sat Nov 26 2022
09:20 • 1 Humpback Whales
breaching, northwest of Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:00 • Humpback Whales
breaching, heading south at Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Sun Nov 27 2022
12:11 • 3 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Mon Nov 28 2022
08:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north passing Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Esther Hollink, Brown’s Bay Resort
16:55 • 1 Humpback Whales at the west end of Helmcken Island, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Wed Nov 30 2022
13:44 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north, to the north of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
16:14 • 3 Humpback Whales
moving slowly, heading south against Texada Island, near the shore across from Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Thu Dec 01 2022
09:33 • 1 Humpback Whales just off the reef at Willow Point, Georgia Strait.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Thu Nov 17 2022
14:49 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins 1.25-NM west of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri Nov 18 2022
08:57 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins heading south mid Strait by the ferry line between Comox (Little River) Ferry Terminal and Powell River Ferry Terminal, Georgia Strait. ▫ From Ferry
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Mon Nov 21 2022
08:13 • PWS Dolphins heading south from Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Fri Nov 25 2022
09:55 • PWS Dolphins by the beacon off Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Mon Nov 28 2022
08:57 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins heading south at Texada Island, from Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
12:56 • PWS Dolphins heading north over towards Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait.
Large group.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Sun Nov 27 2022
14:45 • 2 Harbour Porpoise heading south off the south end of the seawall Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
