Whales Breaching!
Cover Image:
Humpback Whale Breaching
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sometimes, individuals may be lucky observing a Cetacean breach. Humpback whales are one of the types of Cetaceans that do breach and a whale can breach many times in a short period of time. Each breach will require a whale to use quite a bit of energy to generate a large upward force to allow them to exit the water vertically, and in some cases, their whole body can be out of the water for a brief moment. Breaching Humpback whales can be seen from quite a distance (i.e., a few kilometers) and the sound of their splashes on re-entry into the water can be heard from significant distances as well. Let us know if you see Humpbacks or other species like Orca breaching!
The Federal Government (DFO) issued the following statement about watching Orca in the wild: “Vessels must stay 400m away from all killer whales in southern BC coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet until May 31, 2024.” 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 OR while viewing any Cetaceans that are resting or with a calf. When viewing whales, dolphins, and porpoises under other circumstances not described above, 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
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Websites:
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For research access to 33,000+ sightings in our database in a downloadable csv file for use in a spreadsheet, please Click Here. to fill in your request.
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2023-011
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Sat Jun 17 2023
08:56 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading east under the Lions Gate Bridge, off Stanley Park, Vancouver, Burrard Inlet. ▫ Observed from Shore
AS, Vancouver, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Stanley Park
Sat, 17 Jun 2023 – 1 items
AS, Vancouver, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Stanley Park
Sat, 17 Jun 2023 – 1 items
AS, Vancouver, BC
Sun Jun 18 2023
13:40 • Biggs Orca off Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
20:00 • Biggs Orca at Homfray Lodge heading toward Waddington Channel, Homfray Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
Mon Jun 19 2023
12:30 • 5 Biggs Orca heading south approaching Smelt Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Mon, 19 Jun 2023 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Mon, 19 Jun 2023 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Tue Jun 20 2023
08:30 • Biggs Orca heading south at the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
08:39 • est. 10 Biggs Orca heading north between Grief Point and the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Janet Southcott, Powell River, BC
08:48 • Biggs Orca spread out, heading north, from close to the Powell River Ferry Terminal to mid channel Malaspina Strait.
09:47 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca hunting, on a kill by the Hulks breakwater at the Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
10:37 • est. 4 Biggs Orca heading north past Sliammon / Tla’amin Nation, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:20 • est. 6-7 Biggs Orca heading south at the south end of Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:50 • 3 Biggs Orca heading west travelling at 3 knots abeam Elizabeth Island along the beach line at West Redonda Island, Pryce Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
Wed Jun 21 2023
09:23 • 5 Biggs Orca heading south past Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
09:30 • 9 Biggs Orca heading south past Myrtle Point. ▫ Second Hand
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Thu Jun 22 2023
15:23 • 6 Biggs Orca milling, southwest of Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Jun 23 2023
11:39 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading north near Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
11:46 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading south near Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island.
14:37 • Biggs Orca milling, outside Manson Passage, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales in Georgia Strait
Fri, 23 Jun 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales in Georgia Strait
Fri, 23 Jun 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
18:26 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ south of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
19:04 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ south of Mitlenatch Island. Orca are interacting with a Humpback.
19:24 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ southeast of Mitlenatch Island. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
20:26 • Biggs Orca teasing Humpbacks off Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
20:34 • Biggs Orca tail slaps; breaching, heading south past Rebecca Spit.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
Sat Jun 24 2023
10:45 • Biggs Orca off Steep Island, Discovery Passage. Heard over VHF. ▫ Second Hand
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
16:31 • 4 Biggs Orca heading north between the Powell River Viewpoint and Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs), Malaspina Strait. All small fin Orca.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Sun Jun 25 2023
10:30 • 3 Biggs Orca west side of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
11:00 • 3 Biggs Orca heading south-east towards Smelt Bay, Sutil Channel.
11:00 • Biggs Orca heading south, Bliss Landing, Malaspina Strait.
11:30 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading south, Thulin Passage along the mainland shore Malaspina Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:48 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading south in Thulin Passage, Malaspina Strait.
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
11:50 • Biggs Orca in Baker Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:58 • est. 8-9 Biggs Orca heading east off Sutil Point, Baker Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:15 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading west towards Major Rock Islet off Lund, Malaspina Strait.
12:33 • Biggs Orca heading east Hernando side of Twin Islands coming our of Baker Passage.
12:55 • Biggs Orca heading south, Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
13:07 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca heading north, Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait. 1 male rest small fins.
13:07 • est. 6 Biggs Orca still by Twin Islands, Malaspina Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:07 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca heading north between Marina Island shack and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
17:30 • 1 Biggs Orca heading north past Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. lone male. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
17:30 • Biggs Orca heading south, Savary Island by Manson Passage, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales seen on tour
Sat, 24 Jun 2023 – 10 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales seen on tour
Sat, 24 Jun 2023 – 10 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales seen on tour
Tue, 20 Jun 2023 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales seen on tour
Tue, 20 Jun 2023 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
HUMPBACK WHALES
Sat Jun 17 2023
08:45 • 2 Humpback Whales foraging, near Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:15 • 2 Humpback Whales off Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:14 • Humpback Whales between Atrevida Reef and Mystery Reef, Malaspina Strait.
Graham Evans, Stowaway Adventures
11:25 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:10 • 2 Humpback Whales off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
12:35 • 3 Humpback Whales off Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
12:40 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east from Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east near Coulter Island, Sutil Channel.
14:57 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, off Lake Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sun Jun 18 2023
09:45 • 2 Humpback Whales off Coulter Island, Sutil Channel.
09:45 • Humpback Whales heading north towards Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
10:15 • 2 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Whale Passage, Sutil Channel. Active.
10:35 • Humpback Whales between Whale Passage and Drew Passage, Sutil Channel.
11:20 • 2 Humpback Whales near Elizabeth Island, Pryce Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
12:00 • 3 Humpback Whales west side of North Rendezvous Island, Drew Passage.
12:30 • Humpback Whales breaching, near the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
12:40 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, off Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:42 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, north of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:20 • 2 Humpback Whales on the west side of Baker Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north, west of Raza Island, Raza Passage.
15:40 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south, south of Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale in Sutil Channel
Sun, 18 Jun 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale in Sutil Channel
Sun, 18 Jun 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Mon Jun 19 2023
08:10 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west abeam Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
10:59 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, on the northwest side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
11:17 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales doing circles, north of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
11:19 • Humpback Whales towards Evans Bay, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:55 • 5 Humpback Whales breaching; pec slapping, between Marina Island and Francisco Point, Sutil Channel. Within 1 km of one another.
14:20 • est. 5-6 Humpback Whales doing circles, south of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
15:13 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, off Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale in Sutil Channel
Mon, 19 Jun 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale in Sutil Channel
Mon, 19 Jun 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Tue Jun 20 2023
12:20 • est. 1 Humpback Whales at the south end of Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.
14:20 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Coulter Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:10 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south mid channel at Painters Lodge, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. A small one.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Jun 21 2023
09:06 • Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading south mid channel between Francisco Point and Baker Passage, Georgia Strait. Five to six minute dives.
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:46 • 1 Humpback Whales foraging, off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:59 • 2 Humpback Whales north of Burdwood Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel. Possibly mom and calf. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
13:42 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between Hill Island and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
13:44 • est. 4-5 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Penn Islands.
14:50 • est. 7-8 Humpback Whales in the area of Hill Island and Penn Islands.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:45 • 4 Humpback Whales ◦BCX1480 Spotlight,BCY0649 Barracuda,BCY1178 Nova◦ foraging, off Evans Bay, Sutil Channel.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
17:00 • est. 7-8 Humpback Whales near Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
Thu Jun 22 2023
09:20 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south at the south end of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:53 • 5 Humpback Whales taking long dives; foraging, off Evans Bay, Sutil Channel.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
13:40 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south-west approaching Redonda Bay, Deer Passage.
14:13 • est. 3-4 Humpback Whales heading north approaching Frederic Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
20:00 • est. 8-10 Humpback Whales off Evans Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
Fri Jun 23 2023
11:28 • 1 Humpback Whales in the mouth of Evans Bay, Sutil Channel.
11:28 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, southeast of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
15:33 • 5 Humpback Whales heading north, just north of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
19:24 • 2 Humpback Whales southeast of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
19:34 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Mitlenatch Island.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
20:26 • Humpback Whales being teased by Orca off Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
Sat Jun 24 2023
16:00 • Humpback Whales heading north, Van Anda, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
17:03 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY1178 Nova◦ breaching and pec slapping, south of Von Donop Inlet, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. Active whales.
17:03 • 4 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0057 Niagara◦ foraging, north of Von Donop Inlet, Cortes Island. Two pairs of Humpbacks.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
Sun Jun 25 2023
10:30 • 5+ Humpback Whales spread out between Wilby Shoals and Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
12:55 • Humpback Whales off the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:19 • 2 Humpback Whales southeast of Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:00 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY1059 Cirque◦ resting, north of Von Donop Inlet, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. After a while of resting, Cirque began to forage. Observed for a few hours up to 15:00.
20:30 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0380 Zed / Zorro◦ foraging, between Von Donop Inlet and the eastern island of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. Observed for a few hours up to about 20:30.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales seen on tour
Tue, 20 Jun 2023 – 10 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales seen on tour
Tue, 20 Jun 2023 – 10 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales seen on tour
Sat, 24 Jun 2023 – 8 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales seen on tour
Sat, 24 Jun 2023 – 8 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sat Jun 17 2023
05:30 • PWS Dolphins off Hall Point, Sonora Island, Nodales Channel. Big group of dolphins.
17:15 • PWS Dolphins at Denham Bay, Dent Rapids. Big group.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Thu Jun 22 2023
06:50 • PWS Dolphins off Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait. Big group.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Thu Jun 22 2023
15:44 • 6 Harbour Porpoise off Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Archive Explorer
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