World Whale Day is celebrated this year on Sunday, February 19th. It a day to appreciate all Cetaceans -meaning whales, dolphins, and porpoises- and their importance in their environments. We can also reflect on ways to conserve and protect these wonderful, unique, and intelligent animals from threats caused by man. Globally, there are over 80 species of Cetaceans; most can be found in the oceans but there are a few species of dolphins that are found in fresh-water habitats (rivers).
Here in the waters of British Columbia, we are so fortunate to have over 20 different species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises. The ones that we see most often are Pacific White-Sided dolphins, Orca, Humpback whales, and Grey whales. Some species are less abundant and may require one to have some luck as well as travel some distance to see them. Cetaceans that are more abundant can be seen from boat and even from land depending on the location in B.C. Let us know what Cetaceans you see!
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: 2023-002
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Mon Jan 23 2023
09:00 • 1 Biggs Orca heading south out from Willingdon Beach, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Barely making the surface. ▫ Second Hand
09:15 • 2 Biggs Orca
doing circles, in front of Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait.
2 big fin.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
16:33 • est. 3 Biggs Orca
moving slowly, heading east directly under the Lions Gate bridge in West Vancouver, Burrard Inlet.
South half of channel. In the wake of tug boat heading west. ▫ Observed from Shore
Emily and Alex
Tue Jan 24 2023
12:30 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T049As◦ heading north from Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Powell River
Tue, 24 Jan 2023 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Powell River
Tue, 24 Jan 2023 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:50 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T049As◦
resting, out from Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat Jan 28 2023
12:19 • Biggs Orca heading west off Bear Bight, Johnstone Strait.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
15:56 • Biggs Orca heading north at Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
16:38 • est. 5+ Biggs Orca heading north at Texada Island cell tower, Malaspina Strait.
Spread out.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sun Jan 29 2023
15:10 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca outside of Blubber Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
15:17 • est. 8-9 Biggs Orca
doing circles, outside of Blubber Bay, Texada Island.
At least 2 big fins, maybe 3.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
16:45 • Biggs Orca off Van Anda, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Thu Feb 02 2023
11:36 • est. 5-7 Biggs Orca heading south just out from Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Fri Feb 03 2023
15:04 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca
playing, heading south-east straight out looking out from the lighthouse at Sheringham Point, Strait of Juan de Fuca.
An adult male, an adult female, and two calves. ▫ Observed from Shore
AB, Sooke, BC
Wed Feb 08 2023
11:45 • 4 Biggs Orca heading north past Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Esther Hollink, Brown’s Bay Resort
Fri Feb 10 2023
12:45 • 5 Biggs Orca
hunting, between Sidney Bay and Beaver Inlet, Loughborough Inlet.
They were hunting porpoises. Includes one big fin and one calf.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sun Feb 12 2023
08:30 • 6+ Biggs Orca ◦T018s,T049A1,T090s,T124s◦ heading north, Lambert Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
10:38 • 1 Biggs Orca ◦T087◦ heading south off Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Powell River
Sun, 12 Feb 2023 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Powell River
Sun, 12 Feb 2023 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:41 • est. 2-3 Biggs Orca ◦T087,T124C◦ heading south off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
11:51 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T087,T124C◦
moving quickly, off Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales near Powell River
Fri, 20 Jan 2023 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales near Powell River
Fri, 20 Jan 2023 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Fri Jan 27 2023
10:15 • 2 Orca heading north past Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Large Orca males.
Esther Hollink, Brown’s Bay Resort
11:20 • est. 5-7 Orca heading north at Elk Bay, Discovery Passage.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
HUMPBACK WHALES
Tue Jan 24 2023
15:47 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ0432 Two Spot◦
moving quickly, heading north, just south of Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait.
Nina Falls, Powell River, BC
15:57 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ0432 Two Spot◦ heading north just passing Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Close to shore. Mom and calf.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales near Powell River
Tue, 24 Jan 2023 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales near Powell River
Tue, 24 Jan 2023 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Wed Jan 25 2023
15:13 • 2 Humpback Whales between Cordero Lodge and Blind Channel, Cordero Channel.
Cruising between both places all day. Very active.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Fri Jan 27 2023
09:21 • 1 Humpback Whales just east of the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north by Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Sat Jan 28 2023
08:12 • Humpback Whales
breaching, off east side of Helmcken Island, Johnstone Strait.
Breaching repeatedly.
08:23 • 1 Humpback Whales just east of Graveyard Point at Salmon River, Johnstone Strait.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
14:45 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales
lunge feeding, northeast of Savary Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sun Feb 05 2023
11:29 • PWS Dolphins heading north by Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait.
Large group.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins near Powell River
Sun, 5 Feb 2023 – 8 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins near Powell River
Sun, 5 Feb 2023 – 8 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:40 • est. 30+ PWS Dolphins
foraging, north of Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Back and forth.
Joan Treen, Powell River and Savary Island, BC
13:27 • PWS Dolphins heading north out from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Lots of them went south.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:40 • PWS Dolphins heading north past Willingdon Beach, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
Thu Feb 09 2023
10:50 • PWS Dolphins
milling, in front of Roy, Loughborough Inlet.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sat Feb 11 2023
08:07 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins
circling and foraging, heading south off the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
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
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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
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