Humpback Whales and Orca!
Cover Image:
Humpback Whale
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Many different behaviours were displayed by Humpback whales. Many Humpbacks were seen breaching and some other whales were seen lunge feeding as well as doing pectoral slaps. One Humpback was reported sounding off as it dove while another whale with a calf was playing with a log. There are a number of Humpback whales in BC waters and so there continues to be many opportunities to see them when you are close to the water or travelling on the water.
Transient Orca were observed, notably some were around Vancouver during the BC Day long weekend. Some of the Northern Resident Orca continue to be in the northern end of Georgia Strait and its adjacent waterways. Two Minke whales were seen in Georgia Strait between Comox and Hornby Island. Rounding our report are many pods of Pacific White-Sided dolphins and a few sightings of Harbour porpoises.
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.
A great resource for up to date Canadian or US regulations: Be Whale Wise Guidelines
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. Information on our Feral Cat Initiative has been updated.
Instagram and Twitter: Instagram at Wildoceanwhalesociety and Twitter (on hold for now) 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 many whales and the Aurora Borealis.
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 (we’re volunteers too, so sorry for the delays) 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: 2023-017
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Fri Aug 04 2023
12:00 • Biggs Orca between Mitlenatch Island and Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:05 • Biggs Orca heading north, south of Williams Beach, Georgia Strait. ? Second Hand
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:00 • est. 7-8 Biggs Orca heading north, Seal Bay, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Aug 05 2023
14:30 • est. 4 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south-west off Deep Cove, Indian Arm. ? Observed from Shore
JS, North Vancouver, BC
16:35 • est. 3 Biggs Orca breaching, heading south between Keats Island and Gibsons, Collingwood Channel. Seen with other whale watching boats around. ? Observed from Shore
GB, Gibsons, BC
Sun Aug 06 2023
09:00 • est. 2 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading north past Racoon Island, Indian Arm. ? Observed from Shore
AB, Belcarra, BC
Mon Aug 07 2023
08:11 • est. 6 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading east off Jericho Beach, Vancouver, Burrard Inlet. Whales were on the East side of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, circling and swimming east. No sign of active hunting. ? Observed from Shore
AS, Vancouver, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Vancouver
Mon, 7 Aug 2023 – 2 items
AS, Vancouver, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Vancouver
Mon, 7 Aug 2023 – 2 items
AS, Vancouver, BC
16:00 • est. 4 Biggs Orca hunting, heading west off Burns Point, Burrard Inlet. Observed from Barnet Marine Park in Burnaby, BC. ? Observed from Shore
CN, Port Moody, BC
Wed Aug 09 2023
13:34 • Biggs Orca off Paradise River, Bute Inlet. ? Second Hand
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
Thu Aug 10 2023
12:40 • Biggs Orca ?T018s? heading north-west off Whiskey Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ? Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Aug 11 2023
09:06 • est. 1 Biggs Orca breaching, heading north-west off Craig Bay, Parksville, Georgia Strait. Diving for periods of time. Blowing. ? Observed from Shore
ID, Parksville, BC
12:30 • est. 6-7 Biggs Orca heading south 2 miles off of Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:50 • Biggs Orca spread out from Harwood Island to Bates Beach, Georgia Strait.
13:50 • Biggs Orca heading south-east off Cape Lazo, Comox, Georgia Strait.
14:28 • Biggs Orca hunting, on ferry line between Rebecca Rocks and Cape Lazo, Georgia Strait. Possibly hunting a porpoise.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Aug 12 2023
14:50 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? heading towards Tribune Bay, Hornby Island, Georgia Strait.
15:22 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs, T137s? hunting, top of Hornby Island, Georgia Strait. Chasing a Harbour Porpoise.
15:31 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs,T137s? north of Denman Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Fri Aug 04 2023
13:42 • NRKW Orca ?A42s? milling, just south of Black Creek, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales near Black Creek
Fri, 4 Aug 2023 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales near Black Creek
Fri, 4 Aug 2023 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:48 • NRKW Orca heading south-west, Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:54 • NRKW Orca ?A42s? zig zagging, off Williams Beach, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat Aug 05 2023
11:20 • NRKW Orca ?A42s? heading north 3-NM west of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Many boats in the area. ? Leaving the Scene
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:24 • NRKW Orca ?A42s? heading north between Hernando Island and Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:50 • NRKW Orca ?A42s? milling; resting, 2-NM north of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:10 • NRKW Orca ?A42s? heading south-west off the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. ? Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sun Aug 06 2023
13:20 • NRKW Orca by the entrance to Hole in the Wall in Calm Channel. close to shore.
14:18 • NRKW Orca in front of Raza Passage in Calm Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Aug 07 2023
11:42 • NRKW Orca ?A42s? heading north off Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:48 • NRKW Orca ?A42s, A94 Mystery? by Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:15 • NRKW Orca ?A42s? heading north near Lake Bay close to the shore of Read Island, Sutil Channel. ? Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Tue Aug 08 2023
13:00 • NRKW Orca ?A42s? heading north-east, north of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales seen near Hill Island
Tue, 8 Aug 2023 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales seen near Hill Island
Tue, 8 Aug 2023 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu Aug 10 2023
14:10 • NRKW Orca ?A42s? heading north off the Spoil Grounds south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales seen near Spoil Grounds
Thu, 10 Aug 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales seen near Spoil Grounds
Thu, 10 Aug 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Aug 11 2023
12:50 • NRKW Orca foraging, at Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:04 • NRKW Orca heading north by Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:15 • NRKW Orca heading north along the shore by Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:23 • NRKW Orca entering Open Bay, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. At 15:31, they were heading south along Rebecca Spit.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Killer Whales seen on tours before August 8th, 2023
Tue, 8 Aug 2023 – 10 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Killer Whales seen on tours before August 8th, 2023
Tue, 8 Aug 2023 – 10 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales seen on tour August 5th, 2023
Sat, 5 Aug 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales seen on tour August 5th, 2023
Sat, 5 Aug 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whale seen on tour August 7th, 2023
Mon, 7 Aug 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whale seen on tour August 7th, 2023
Mon, 7 Aug 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales seen on tour
Wed, 9 Aug 2023 – 4 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales seen on tour
Wed, 9 Aug 2023 – 4 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Mon Aug 07 2023
19:00 • Orca heading south by Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Thu Aug 10 2023
08:50 • Orca heading east off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage. Information from a fisherman. ? Second Hand
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
HUMPBACK WHALES
Fri Aug 04 2023
07:06 • Humpback Whales north of Dogfish Bay and closer to Whaletown, Sutil Channel.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
07:47 • Humpback Whales mid channel between Powell River and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
08:21 • 3 Humpback Whales foraging, stayed all night in Van Anda, Malaspina Strait. One pushing a log around. One calf.
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales near Texada Island
Fri, 4 Aug 2023 – 6 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales near Texada Island
Fri, 4 Aug 2023 – 6 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
08:30 • 2 Humpback Whales off the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:12 • Humpback Whales in the middle of Thulin Passage, Malaspina Strait.
11:25 • Humpback Whales entrance to Thurston Bay, Nodales Channel.
11:25 • Humpback Whales on the nw side of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
11:30 • 5 Humpback Whales breaching, out from Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
12:00 • Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
12:15 • 8 Humpback Whales breaching, between Grief Point and Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Multiple whales and multiple breaches!.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:54 • 2 Humpback Whales zig zagging, off Williams Beach, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:20 • 3 Humpback Whales between Powell River Viewpoint and Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait. Humpbacks all over Powell River area.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Sat Aug 05 2023
09:45 • 4 Humpback Whales out from Coho (Kiddie) Point at the NW tip of Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:06 • 1 Humpback Whales heading east close to the south side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
10:21 • 1 Humpback Whales lunge feeding, to the east of Mitlenatch Island.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:00 • Humpback Whales pectoral slaps, north of the harbour at Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Brenda Currie, VanAnda, BC
12:40 • Humpback Whales off Jimmy Judd Island, Yuculta Rapids.
13:30 • Humpback Whales off Thurlow Point, East Thurlow Island, Nodales Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
14:50 • 3 Humpback Whales between the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy and Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale near Cortes Reef
Sat, 5 Aug 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale near Cortes Reef
Sat, 5 Aug 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:33 • 3 Humpback Whales between the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy and Cortez Reef.
16:02 • 1 Humpback Whales southwest of Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:07 • 4 Humpback Whales back and forth; foraging, out from the Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Sun Aug 06 2023
09:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
10:24 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north-west, south-west of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:00 • est. 5-6 Humpback Whales between Powell River Viewpoint, Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
12:50 • est. 3-4 Humpback Whales heading south by Dinner Rock, Malaspina Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:12 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between Marina Island shack and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales near Quadra Island
Sun, 6 Aug 2023 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales near Quadra Island
Sun, 6 Aug 2023 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:48 • Humpback Whales between Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy and Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
19:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between Powell River Viewpoint and Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Nicole Klein, Powell River, BC
Mon Aug 07 2023
11:00 • est. 2 Humpback Whales foraging, heading south off Lund, Malaspina Strait. Feeding off the beach … sounding dives. ? Observed from Shore
JW, Savary Island, BC
12:01 • 1 Humpback Whales off Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
12:43 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel. Mom and calf.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:16 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, off Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait.
13:16 • 1 Humpback Whales off Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs), Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
19:05 • Humpback Whales by Sarah Point, Malaspina Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Tue Aug 08 2023
10:18 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, in front of the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
11:48 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, north of Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales near Marina Island
Tue, 8 Aug 2023 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales near Marina Island
Tue, 8 Aug 2023 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:43 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north south of Van Anda, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
14:09 • Humpback Whales heading north past Henrietta Point, Stuart Island, Bute Inlet.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales seen on tour before August 8th, 2023
Tue, 8 Aug 2023 – 8 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales seen on tour before August 8th, 2023
Tue, 8 Aug 2023 – 8 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Wed Aug 09 2023
09:25 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, heading east between French Beach and Sheringham Point, Strait of Juan de Fuca. ? Observed from Shore
KS, Shirley, BC
13:25 • 1 Humpback Whales heading east, southwest of Sutil Point, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu Aug 10 2023
13:25 • 2 Humpback Whales south-east of the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:30 • Humpback Whales close to shore off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
20:23 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south between the Powell River Viewpoint and Rebecca Rocks mid Malaspina Strait. ? Observed from Shore
20:23 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales north of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. ? Observed from Shore
20:29 • est. 12-15 Humpback Whales between Harwood Island and Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait. Blows lit up by the sun. ? Observed from Shore
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Fri Aug 11 2023
08:45 • Humpback Whales heading south off Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Colleen Martinig, Powell River, BC
11:50 • Humpback Whales off Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
12:40 • Humpback Whales lunge feeding, by the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
13:10 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, mid-strait off Bates Beach, Georgia Strait. close to spread out Transient Biggs Orca.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:33 • est. 10+ Humpback Whales between Grant Reefs and the north end of Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:39 • Humpback Whales at the north end of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:40 • Humpback Whales north of Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
14:05 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:34 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north off the northeast side of Hill Island.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:42 • 6 Humpback Whales out from Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait.
15:40 • Humpback Whales ?BCX1845 Harlequin? on Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. Was struck by a vessel!.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Aug 12 2023
08:00 • Humpback Whales breaching, between Blubber Bay and Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Craig Johnson, Powell River, BC
09:00 • 3 Humpback Whales off Grilse Point at the north end of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. ? Observed from Shore
09:00 • 4 Humpback Whales off Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. ? Observed from Shore
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
10:30 • 2 Humpback Whales entering Hoskyn Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:26 • 2 Humpback Whales at the mouth of Hole in the Wall. Calm Channel side (east end).
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
13:26 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south-west between Mitlenatch Island and Salmon Point, Georgia Strait.
13:39 • est. 3-4 Humpback Whales heading north within one mile of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale seen on tour August 12th, 2023
Sat, 12 Aug 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale seen on tour August 12th, 2023
Sat, 12 Aug 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south to the east of Sentry Shoal.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:52 • est. 5+ Humpback Whales breaching, between Blubber Bay and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. A couple of breaches observed. ? Observed from Shore
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
14:55 • Humpback Whales off Flora Islet, Georgia Strait. Mom and calf.
15:47 • est. 8-12 Humpback Whales spread out from Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
17:08 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south between Van Anda and the Texada Island cell tower, Malaspina Strait. ? Observed from Shore
17:39 • 3 Humpback Whales close to Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. ? Observed from Shore
18:09 • 2 Humpback Whales in front of Blubber Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
18:27 • est. 10-12 Humpback Whales out from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Photo of humpback whale previously credited to wrong photographer
Thu, 3 Aug 2023 – 1 items
Heather Tausig, Lang Bay, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Photo of humpback whale previously credited to wrong photographer
Thu, 3 Aug 2023 – 1 items
Heather Tausig, Lang Bay, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale on tour August 4th, 2023
Fri, 4 Aug 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale on tour August 4th, 2023
Fri, 4 Aug 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale on tour
Wed, 9 Aug 2023 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale on tour
Wed, 9 Aug 2023 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
MINKE WHALES
Sat Aug 05 2023
18:15 • est. 1-2 Minke Whales travelling, heading south between Hornby Island and Comox, Georgia Strait. We were the only boat, sailing at 4-5 knots upwind. We had been watching humpbacks breach, pec fin slap and dive with fluke about 30 minutes earlier then noted a different behaviour. Solo or two whales without humps, but a dorsal fin like a dolphin but way too big to be a dolphin gliding low and graceful in surface with short blows and then a big flat head or front body, half of our boat length (41″). ? From Power or Sail Boat
MK, Victoria, BC
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Fri Aug 04 2023
13:00 • PWS Dolphins entrance to Bute Inlet.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Aug 05 2023
12:01 • PWS Dolphins foraging, off Lund, Malaspina Strait.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
13:00 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins milling, close to shore north of Lund.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:20 • PWS Dolphins off Gomer Island, Nodales Channel.
13:55 • PWS Dolphins off Lee Islands, Nodales Channel. Big pod.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sun Aug 06 2023
05:30 • est. 20 PWS Dolphins foraging, around Hare Point, Malaspina Inlet. They have been around all night.
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
14:20 • PWS Dolphins near the top of Lewis Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Tue Aug 08 2023
13:29 • PWS Dolphins foraging in front of Grace Harbour. A pod of dolphins.
Sonje Boyd, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
Wed Aug 09 2023
13:00 • est. 35 PWS Dolphins milling, off Hill Island, Sutil Channel. ? Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins near Cortes Reef
Wed, 9 Aug 2023 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins near Cortes Reef
Wed, 9 Aug 2023 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu Aug 10 2023
13:47 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins heading south-east between the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy and Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait. Travelling at 10 knots. ? Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
20:15 • PWS Dolphins heading south, Blind Channel. Big pod that was active. Heading towards Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Fri Aug 11 2023
08:45 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins foraging, heading south off Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins near Powell River
Fri, 11 Aug 2023 – 10 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins near Powell River
Fri, 11 Aug 2023 – 10 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:20 • PWS Dolphins milling, off Erasmus Island, Cordero Channel. Small pod.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
13:18 • PWS Dolphins heading north passing Dinner Rock, Malaspina Strait.
13:30 • PWS Dolphins foraging, by Finn Bay outside of Lund, Malaspina Strait.
16:30 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins foraging, still around Lund.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Aug 12 2023
10:00 • est. 15 PWS Dolphins milling, on the east side of Turn Island, Johnstone Strait.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:10 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins near Egerton Creek, Frederick Arm.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Sat Aug 05 2023
08:05 • est. 3-4 Harbour Porpoise moving slowly, heading west between Stanley Park and Ambleside mid Burrard Inlet. Passing by on the surface for 2-3 minutes before diving. ? From Kayak or Paddleboard
GB, Vancouver, BC
Fri Aug 11 2023
16:25 • Harbour Porpoise close to Manson Passage, Malaspina Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Aug 12 2023
15:22 • Harbour Porpoise being hunted, top of Hornby Island, Georgia Strait. Transient Biggs Orca after them.
Radio, overheard or call out
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The Magazine
SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
ScienceAlert
An Australian TikTok celebrity has filmed a humpback whale doing a rare ‘headstand’ on the calm horizon.
While paddling along in a transparent kayak, Brodie Moss says the tail of a whale suddenly pierced the ocean surface ahead of him….
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CBC News
Just as Captain Ahab was obsessed with Moby Dick, the island of Grand Manan has its own whale of myth and legend. He’s called Old Thom – and he’s back. A lucky sighting on Sunday satisfied a long-standing dream for one island resident.
“It was actually my first time seeing him, but I’ve tried for a decade to see him,” said Jennifer Pierce. Old Thom is the name affectionately given to the killer whale who is seen every few years around the Bay of Fundy….
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RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
ABC News
A giant whale that lived almost 40 million years ago is now thought to be the heaviest animal that has ever lived, scientists said….
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