Many Humpback Whales & One Minke Whale!
Cover Image:
Humpback breaching off Oyster Bay, Georgia Strait
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
During the past week, over 75% of the reported sightings were of Humpback whales. The Humpbacks were observed in upper Georgia Strait, Sutil Channel, Malaspina Strait, the eastern end of Johnstone Strait, and many other inland waterways. Different behaviours were displayed by the Humpbacks; some were observed foraging, others swimming in large circles, and many were observed breaching. Of note is one sighting of a Minke whale in Johnstone Strait near West Thurlow Island. There are a few Minke whales that reside in and around the north-east side of Vancouver Island, and have been observed year-after-year reappearing in the same areas. Minke whales are baleen whales and are in the same family as Blue whales and Humpback whales (the Rorqual family). They can reach lengths of 10-meters and they are solitary animals that tend to change directions often, thus making it challenging to track one of them.
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
Donatons:
Thank you all for your kind donations. Your support is greatly appreciated to keep us going.
Websites:
Whales and Dolphins BC is our educational website where these reports are also published and our Wild Ocean Whale site is our Society website.
Instagram and Twitter: Instagram at Wildoceanwhalesociety and Twitter at WhalesDolphins
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.
Review our previous Volunteer Job Postings Job Postings are slowly being revamped and not yet on our web sites.
Data For Research:
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: 2023-012
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Mon Jun 26 2023
10:00 • Biggs Orca almost to Deepwater Bay, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Tue Jun 27 2023
05:40 • est. 3 Biggs Orca frolicking, heading north-west near Sheringham Point, Strait of Juan de Fuca. Young orca seemed playful. They were in a straight trajectory. 2 adults and 1 young baby. ▫ Observed from Shore
Kristy Soper, Shirley, BC
08:35 • 5 Biggs Orca heading north, Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:53 • Biggs Orca heading north off Steep Island, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales travelling together in Discovery Passage
Tue, 27 Jun 2023 – 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales travelling together in Discovery Passage
Tue, 27 Jun 2023 – 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:12 • Biggs Orca ◦T123s◦ heading south off Middle Point, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Wed Jun 28 2023
11:00 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca heading east, Little River, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Thu Jun 29 2023
13:10 • Biggs Orca off Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
13:40 • est. 7 Biggs Orca just outside of Hyacinthe Bay, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:00 • 2 Biggs Orca milling, at Hyacinthe Bay. Both are males.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T087 & T124C – milling at Hyacinthe Bay, Sutil Channel
Thu, 29 Jun 2023 – 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T087 & T124C – milling at Hyacinthe Bay, Sutil Channel
Thu, 29 Jun 2023 – 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:10 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T087, T124C◦ right inside Hyacinthe Bay.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri Jun 30 2023
13:59 • Biggs Orca around No Name Creek, Discovery Passage.
16:35 • Biggs Orca heading south, Middle Point, Discovery Passage.
16:52 • Biggs Orca off Orange Point, Discovery Passage.
17:52 • Biggs Orca heading south in front of Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Jul 01 2023
15:30 • Biggs Orca between Mitlenatch Island and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait. they just popped up out of nowhere.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun Jul 02 2023
10:25 • Biggs Orca between Denman Island and Hornby Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Mon Jul 03 2023
12:28 • SRKW Orca spread out, heading north between Marina Island and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Sat Jul 01 2023
09:30 • Orca in Tenedos Bay, Desolation Sound. Heard over radio (CH-16). ▫ Second Hand
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
Mon Jul 03 2023
14:15 • est. 5-6 Orca travelling, heading north-east off Cattle Point, Oak Bay, Strait of Juan de Fuca. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
CA, Victoria, BC
HUMPBACK WHALES
Mon Jun 26 2023
09:50 • 2 Humpback Whales off Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
11:52 • Humpback Whales by Mermaid Bay, Dent Rapids.
14:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south headed towards Mitlenatch Island from Spoil Grounds, Georgia Strait.
14:05 • 2 Humpback Whales just south off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
14:15 • 2 Humpback Whales off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
15:28 • est. 4-5 Humpback Whales foraging; doing big circles, at the Spoil Grounds south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
15:40 • Humpback Whales off the Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
15:55 • Humpback Whales at the pinnacles out from Heriot Bay, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
19:15 • Humpback Whales breaching, east of Hill Island, Sutil Channel. Proceeded to then rest north of Hill Island.
19:25 • 3 Humpback Whales north of the Cortes Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel. Previously fishing singly, but then met up.
19:25 • 2 Humpback Whales at the south end of East Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
Tue Jun 27 2023
09:46 • Humpback Whales between Rendezvous Islands and the NW tip of Raza Island, Calm Channel.
Graham Evans, Stowaway Adventures
13:30 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, from Hill Island toward Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel. A few lazy pec slaps.
13:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Quartz Bay, Sutil Channel.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
14:35 • 4 Humpback Whales spread out, 1 mile apart on the west side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks breaching by Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Tue, 27 Jun 2023 – 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks breaching by Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Tue, 27 Jun 2023 – 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:15 • Humpback Whales heading east off Vansittart Point, West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
17:30 • Humpback Whales breaching, south of Penn Islands and Evans Bay, Sutil Channel. A few whales in the area. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
Wed Jun 28 2023
07:48 • 4 Humpback Whales north of Quartz Bay along the shore of Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
09:40 • Humpback Whales off Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
10:40 • Humpback Whales top of Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
11:35 • 3 Humpback Whales mid-strait between Francisco Point and Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:45 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ north of Hill Island, Sutil Channel. Active whales.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
12:35 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:17 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south between Rendezvous Islands and Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
13:17 • 2 Humpback Whales off Rendezvous Islands, Calm Channel.
14:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Carrington Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Jun 29 2023
09:40 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south, just south of the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
10:03 • 3 Humpback Whales breaching; pec slapping, off Oyster Bay, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks breaching & pec slapping off Oyster Bay, Georgia Strait
Thu, 29 Jun 2023 – 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks breaching & pec slapping off Oyster Bay, Georgia Strait
Thu, 29 Jun 2023 – 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
10:59 • 1 Humpback Whales pec slapping, south of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
10:59 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ moving slowly, coming from Subtle Islands travelling toward Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
10:59 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ resting, now east of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
11:15 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0380 Zed / Zorro◦ heading north, just passed east end of Hill Island.
11:36 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0380 Zed / Zorro,BCX0565 Nick◦ travelling, near Hill Island.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
12:00 • 4 Humpback Whales off Hill Island.
13:30 • 3 Humpback Whales near Bold Point, Hoskyn Channel.
14:15 • 2 Humpback Whales, Okisollo Channel. Mom and calf.
14:48 • Humpback Whales on the east side of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:05 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north at Conville Point, Quadra Island, Hoskyn Channel.
15:12 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north at Hjorth Bay, Hoskyn Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks slapping their fins in Hoskyn Channel
Thu, 29 Jun 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks slapping their fins in Hoskyn Channel
Thu, 29 Jun 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Jun 30 2023
14:10 • Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
14:12 • Humpback Whales in Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:21 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north-west off the east side of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
15:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north-west between Marina Island and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:26 • Humpback Whales just north of No Name Creek, Discovery Passage.
15:55 • 2 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
16:52 • est. 2-4 Humpback Whales mid-strait on ferry line from Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
16:57 • Humpback Whales out from Quathiaski Cove Ferry Terminal, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
18:10 • 2 Humpback Whales off Channe Island, Cordero Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Jul 01 2023
09:00 • Humpback Whales by the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
09:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
10:00 • Humpback Whales off Cinque Islands, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:31 • 1 Humpback Whales milling, inside the can at Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. Large whale.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
12:07 • 1 Humpback Whales resting, just north of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:55 • Humpback Whales near Burdwood Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:04 • 3 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south just north of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:20 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north, Penn Islands.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:27 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north between Hill Island and Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel.
14:44 • 4 Humpback Whales near Carrington Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:50 • 4 Humpback Whales near Carrington Bay, Cortes Island.
15:50 • Humpback Whales breaching, just outside of Von Donop Inlet, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
18:00 • Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading north, Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
19:49 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales heading south near Grilse Point, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
20:01 • Humpback Whales breaching, off Edith Point at the west end of East Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sun Jul 02 2023
09:30 • 2 Humpback Whales off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
10:28 • 2 Humpback Whales off the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
10:30 • Humpback Whales off Bullock Bluff, Cortes Island, Calm Channel.
12:30 • Humpback Whales ◦BCY0057 Niagara◦ heading north, Calm Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:00 • 2 Humpback Whales off Kellsey Point, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.
14:30 • 2 Humpback Whales in Raza Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback breaching in Raza Passage!
Sun, 2 Jul 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback breaching in Raza Passage!
Sun, 2 Jul 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:43 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south between Francisco Point and Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
20:45 • Humpback Whales back and forth, off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Mon Jul 03 2023
07:30 • Humpback Whales heading north off North Rendezvous Island, Calm Channel. Heading towards Hole in the Wall. Multiple whales.
07:45 • 2 Humpback Whales along the north side of Raza Island, Raza Passage.
07:50 • Humpback Whales near the Raza Island fish farm, Raza Passage.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
12:32 • est. 5-6 Humpback Whales heading north off the Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
15:20 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south-west along the shore of Raza Island, Raza Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks blowing close to shore!
Mon, 3 Jul 2023 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks blowing close to shore!
Mon, 3 Jul 2023 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
18:10 • Humpback Whales heading south, Blind Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
20:06 • 3 Humpback Whales doing circles; foraging, off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Tue Jul 04 2023
06:10 • 3 Humpback Whales breaching, heading north, Myrtle Point.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
08:57 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales off Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
09:18 • 4 Humpback Whales in between Marina Island and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. Within a mile of each other.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:30 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north near Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:13 • 4 Humpback Whales heading north off the Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
10:27 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Bullock Bluff, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:44 • Humpback Whales north of Picton Point, Cordero Channel.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
12:28 • est. 6-7 Humpback Whales within 2-km of one another, between Subtle Islands and north of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks milling North of Marina island
Tue, 4 Jul 2023 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks milling North of Marina island
Tue, 4 Jul 2023 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:48 • 4 Humpback Whales milling in the area of Calm Channel and Raza Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:29 • 1 Humpback Whales back and forth, out from Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. Small humpback.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
MINKE WHALES
Wed Jun 28 2023
12:50 • 1 Minke Whales heading south off Tyee Point at the west end of West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Wed Jun 28 2023
12:45 • PWS Dolphins off Camp Point, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sat Jul 01 2023
08:15 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins heading north off Hall Point, Sonora Island, Nodales Channel. May be entering Frederick Arm. ▫ Second Hand
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
Mon Jul 03 2023
18:28 • PWS Dolphins in Waddington Channel. Near the mussel farm at the south end.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
DALLS PORPOISE
Tue Jun 27 2023
12:38 • est. 6-8 Dalls Porpoise foraging, off Steep Island, Discovery Passage. Feeding on herring.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Jun 30 2023
12:00 • 8 Dalls Porpoise milling, at McMullen Point, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Tue Jun 27 2023
17:30 • 2 Harbour Porpoise between Penn Islands and Von Donop Inlet, Sutil Channel. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
Sun Jul 02 2023
06:20 • est. 4 Harbour Porpoise moving slowly, heading south-east near the lighthouse at Sheringham Point, Strait of Juan de Fuca. Observed them surfacing. ▫ Observed from Shore
Kristy Soper, Shirley, BC
SEA OTTERS
Mon Jun 26 2023
15:40 • Sea Otters between Cortez Reef and Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
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