Transient Orca Hunting

A publication of Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

Transient Orca Hunting


Cover Image:
Transient Biggs Killer Whale Hunting
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

Transient Orca prey on marine mammals, such as seals, sea lions, otters, porpoises, dolphins, and possibly calves of larger whales. Transient Orca can be stealthy when approaching their prey and will work together to catch their prey. On some hunts, Transient Orca may be seen travelling quickly, porpoising and/or jumping out of the water. Our cover image shows an Orca hunting a Harbour porpoise – the Orca appears to have struck the porpoise with its tail and launching the porpoise a few meters into the air.

To learn more about Transient Orca, go down to our Magazine section to read about an encounter with Transients in Howe Sound and to learn about one Orca that died after eating seven sea otters!

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.

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: 2023-023
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Sat Sep 30 2023
14:45 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca heading south by Walcan Seafood Plant, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:19 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ milling, off Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
17:50 • Biggs Orca north of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun Oct 01 2023
09:45 • Biggs Orca ◦T049As◦ by Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:15 • 2 Biggs Orca near Bowen Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ From Ferry
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
12:10 • Biggs Orca ◦T049As◦ bucking tide, at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. The following were not with the pod: T049A1 and T049A2’s. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Sun, 1 Oct 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Sun, 1 Oct 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:35 • Biggs Orca ◦T049As◦ still just west of Browns Bay.
13:40 • Biggs Orca ◦T049As◦ heading south passing Race Point, Discovery Passage.
15:26 • Biggs Orca ◦T049As◦ heading south by Gowlland Island, Gowlland Harbour.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Oct 02 2023
12:45 • est. 6-8 Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading south passing Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Mon, 2 Oct 2023 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Mon, 2 Oct 2023 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:45 • est. 17 Biggs Orca ◦T090s, T101s◦ moving quickly, heading south passing Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. Initially 10 of them went by then another 7 followed quickly. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Tue Oct 03 2023
08:35 • Biggs Orca ◦T037Bs◦ heading south by Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Wed Oct 04 2023
10:12 • Biggs Orca off the Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
11:00 • est. 10-12 Biggs Orca heading south by the Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:35 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading south approaching the reef at Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Wed, 4 Oct 2023 – 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Wed, 4 Oct 2023 – 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ hunting, between Mitlenatch Island and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Thu Oct 05 2023
13:15 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca in front of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:07 • Biggs Orca ◦T099s◦ inside the Breton Islands, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Thu, 5 Oct 2023 – 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Thu, 5 Oct 2023 – 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:56 • Biggs Orca approaching Moulds Bay, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:38 • Biggs Orca heading north by Conville Point, Quadra Island, Hoskyn Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Oct 07 2023
09:09 • 3 Biggs Orca heading north by Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Sat, 7 Oct 2023 – 6 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Sat, 7 Oct 2023 – 6 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:00 • Biggs Orca between Mitlenatch Island, Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:20 • est. 4 Biggs Orca heading north by Van Anda, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Sat, 7 Oct 2023 – 7 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Sat, 7 Oct 2023 – 7 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
15:30 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading north, Thulin Passage, Malaspina Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ milling, by Sarah Point, Malaspina Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
16:35 • Biggs Orca below Grilse Point at the north end of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. They must have turned back south. I saw only one female and couldn’t find them again.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Sun Oct 08 2023
09:44 • Biggs Orca south side of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
15:05 • 4 Biggs Orca heading north in Hole in the Wall.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Oct 09 2023
09:05 • 3 Biggs Orca heading south just below Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Colleen Martinig, Powell River, BC
11:40 • Biggs Orca heading south by Kellsey Point, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
Wed Oct 11 2023
08:30 • Biggs Orca heading north close to shore by Evans Bay, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:05 • Biggs Orca ◦T018s◦ heading north approaching April Point, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Wed, 11 Oct 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Wed, 11 Oct 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:55 • Biggs Orca in Okisollo Channel.
15:00 • Biggs Orca heading south by Tyee Spit, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Thu Oct 12 2023
14:30 • 3 Biggs Orca in Blind Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Sat, 7 Oct 2023 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Sat, 7 Oct 2023 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Wed, 11 Oct 2023 – 4 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Wed, 11 Oct 2023 – 4 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
HUMPBACK WHALES
Fri Sep 29 2023
16:00 • 1 Humpback Whales heading east mid channel between Powell River and Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait. ▫ From Ferry
RA, North Vancouver, BC
Sat Sep 30 2023
08:21 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south right in front of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
08:31 • Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ From Ferry
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
09:18 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north at Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:45 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:17 • est. 7-9 Humpback Whales lunge feeding, out from Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:05 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
14:20 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sun Oct 01 2023
08:30 • Humpback Whales in Gillard Passage, Yuculta Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:10 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north-west outside of Departure Bay, Nanaimo, Georgia Strait. ▫ From Ferry
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
11:09 • Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading north below the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Heather Harbord, Powell River, BC
13:53 • 2 Humpback Whales by the quarry below Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
14:40 • Humpback Whales heading south from the top of Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:45 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ milling, near Harbott Point, Stuart Island, Calm Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:40 • 2 Humpback Whales resting, off the Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Mon Oct 02 2023
08:50 • 2 Humpback Whales by Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
09:45 • Humpback Whales breaching, off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
10:00 • 2 Humpback Whales off the Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait.
13:45 • 2 Humpback Whales by Separation Head, Discovery Passage.
15:50 • Humpback Whales in Dent Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
Tue Oct 03 2023
10:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north out from Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
14:10 • est. 5-6 Humpback Whales on the west side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales
Tue, 3 Oct 2023 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales
Tue, 3 Oct 2023 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Wed Oct 04 2023
09:30 • 2 Humpback Whales at the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:35 • 5 Humpback Whales south of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:30 • 2 Humpback Whales south side of Mitlenatch Island.
Radio, overheard or call out
Thu Oct 05 2023
11:50 • 2 Humpback Whales bubble netting, off the red can buoy at Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, Cortez Reef.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:40 • Humpback Whales resting, by the larger Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:18 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ foraging in Arran Rapids.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:05 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south, Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Fri Oct 06 2023
09:21 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off the Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:50 • 2 Humpback Whales tail slaps, travelling up and off the southern end of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
16:50 • 1 Humpback Whales by Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Rolling around doing pec slaps.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
18:00 • 2 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
Sat Oct 07 2023
12:40 • 5 Humpback Whales below Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:41 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0380 Zed / Zorro◦ heading south about 2-NM south-east of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
12:59 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east, just north-east of Sentry Shoal.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:00 • Humpback Whales by the south-west end of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales
Sat, 7 Oct 2023 – 5 items
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales
Sat, 7 Oct 2023 – 5 items
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
16:27 • 3 Humpback Whales out from Coho (Kiddie) Point at the NW tip of Texada Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
16:55 • 2 Humpback Whales close to shore below Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Sun Oct 08 2023
08:19 • 3 Humpback Whales milling, right in front of the Saltery Bay Ferry Terminal, Jervis Inlet.
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
10:20 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south by Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:07 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, north end of Deepwater Bay, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales
Sun, 8 Oct 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales
Sun, 8 Oct 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:44 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, out from Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Mon Oct 09 2023
10:00 • 1 Humpback Whales in Mill Bay, Saanich Inlet. ▫ Observed from Shore
NB, Mill Bay, BC
14:35 • 3 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading south near Chatham Point, Discovery Passage. KC and two others. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Tue Oct 10 2023
08:08 • Humpback Whales heading west off Chatham Point.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
09:05 • Humpback Whales heading south right on Ripple Rock, Discovery Passage.
09:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north at No Name Creek, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:50 • Humpback Whales breaching, north-east off Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
Wed Oct 11 2023
10:32 • Humpback Whales tail lobs, south of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:52 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, south of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:10 • Humpback Whales off Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Thu Oct 12 2023
09:20 • 2 Humpback Whales out from Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:29 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
12:05 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, near the Spoil Grounds south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
13:14 • 3 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and the south end of Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.
14:15 • 4 Humpback Whales heading north just south of the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:00 • 2 Humpback Whales foraging in Teakerne Arm. Playing with a log. Being bothered by Dall’s porpoises.
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
Fri Oct 13 2023
11:45 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north-west between Sarah Point and Mary Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
Sat Oct 14 2023
08:43 • 2 Humpback Whales west of Bowyer Island, Howe Sound. Was observed in the same area for at least 30 minutes. Viewed with binoculars from Whytecliff Park. ▫ Observed from Shore
08:58 • est. 4-6 Humpback Whales heading east to the south-west of Passage Island, Georgia Strait. Viewed with binoculars from Whytecliff Park. Tracked group for about 20 minutes. ▫ Observed from Shore
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales seen from ferry on September 29th
Sat, 7 Oct 2023 – 5 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales seen from ferry on September 29th
Sat, 7 Oct 2023 – 5 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale seen on September 29th
Mon, 2 Oct 2023 – 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale seen on September 29th
Mon, 2 Oct 2023 – 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales seen on October 12th.
Thu, 12 Oct 2023 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales seen on October 12th.
Thu, 12 Oct 2023 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales
Wed, 11 Oct 2023 – 1 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales
Wed, 11 Oct 2023 – 1 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
GREY WHALES
Sun Oct 08 2023
09:25 • 2 Grey Whales lunge feeding, off French Creek, Georgia Strait. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
KC, Nanoose Bay, BC
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sun Oct 01 2023
12:40 • est. 50-60 PWS Dolphins by Horn Point, Dent Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:45 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins at Denham Bay, Dent Rapids.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Sun, 1 Oct 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Sun, 1 Oct 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
18:00 • 2 PWS Dolphins heading south-west, Mouat Bay, Texada Island, Georgia Strait. The dolphins swam the lenght of Mouat Bay heading south, then turned and swam back north again, surfacing every 1-2 minutes. ▫ Observed from Shore
RA, North Vancouver, BC
Tue Oct 03 2023
15:15 • est. 10-12 PWS Dolphins on Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Wed Oct 04 2023
09:15 • PWS Dolphins by Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri Oct 06 2023
18:20 • 6 PWS Dolphins foraging, off the pier at Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait.
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
18:46 • PWS Dolphins heading south slowly by Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sun Oct 08 2023
14:00 • PWS Dolphins in Denham Bay, Dent Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
Thu Oct 12 2023
09:42 • PWS Dolphins off Sliammon / Tla’amin Nation, Malaspina Strait. Small pod.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:00 • est. 35-45 PWS Dolphins foraging, tight to shore below Atrevida Reef north of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Fri Oct 13 2023
17:03 • PWS Dolphins off Edith Point at the west end of East Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
DALLS PORPOISE
Sun Oct 01 2023
15:26 • est. 20 Dalls Porpoise by April Point, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Oct 02 2023
14:38 • est. 3-4 Dalls Porpoise in Rock Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun Oct 08 2023
09:15 • Dalls Porpoise foraging in Dent Rapids.
10:00 • Dalls Porpoise by Separation Head, Discovery Passage.
17:15 • Dalls Porpoise in Deepwater Bay, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Oct 09 2023
15:25 • 10 Dalls Porpoise off Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Tue Oct 10 2023
09:17 • Dalls Porpoise mid-channel by Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Thu Oct 12 2023
16:00 • Dalls Porpoise in Teakerne Arm. Near Humpback whales.
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
Fri Oct 13 2023
08:30 • Dalls Porpoise foraging at the head of Teakerne Arm.
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions

SIGHTINGS MEDIA
we welcome your sighting reports, photographs, video and audio recordings. please review our
media submission guidelines
receive sightings update
eMail notices

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

*Recommended for desktop browsers and newer mobile devices

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
  • Follow the endangered Southern Residents Orca in the Salish Sea
  • Search for encounters with T002C2 Tumbo
  • Witness a close-up Orca encounter video in Port Alberni harbour
  • Follow the T010s Transients as they hunt and travel the inside passage
  • Track "KC", the ever popular Humpback's movements
  • Locate any of 12,000+ named locations on the BC and WA State coast
  • Print custom sighting reports and maps (Coming Soon)

Archive Explorer Help Page explains many advanced functions

Send your Comments and Questions to: Archive Explorer Feedback

To access 25,000+ sightings in our database in a downloadable csv file for use in a research spreadsheet, please Click Here.

The Magazine
SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
“That was crazy’: Boater captures rare video of orcas up close in B.C. waters
The Squamish Chief
As an eco-tour guide who works out of Horseshoe Bay, Jacob Alexander has seen more whales than most folks.

However, even he was awed by a sighting on Oct. 3. On his day off from his job at Sewell’s Marina, he was alone on the water when he saw a pod of five orcas near Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver….
read on

RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
Discover the Wholphin – The Amazing Rare Hybrid Sea Animal
A-Z Animals
Hybrid animals occur both in nature and through human intervention. Generally speaking, these odd-defying creatures live on land. We’ve seen ligers, coywolves, pizzly bears, and more. A common hybrid seen today is the mule – a cross between a horse and a donkey, Recently, scientists made a new discovery… the ocean contains hybrid animals, too!…
read on

Mystery as Orca Swallows Six Sea Otters Whole
Newsweek
An orca has been found dead with a very strange meal inside its stomach: Six whole sea otters, fully intact, with a seventh stuck in its throat….
read on

“It’s phenomenal’: Whales begin singing new songs off B.C. coast as seasons change
Chek News
Autumn is the season of whale song on the Pacific Northwest Coast, says longtime researcher Janie Wray.

Male humpbacks off the B.C. coast are beginning to get vocal – practising and modifying a supernatural and intricate song that is transmitted and almost simultaneously adopted among themselves before and during their winter migration to warmer climes….
read on

the magazine accepts submissions of links to published articles and media of interest to our readers. we welcome original articles, letters, notices, photography, video and audio files.

original material guidelines

  • notices: 100 words max.;
  • letters & articles: 500 words max.
  • you or your organization must be authors of the work and are solely responsible for its content. the magazine gives no assurance material submitted will be published.
  • Review our media submission guidelines
  • SIGHTINGS MEDIA
    we welcome your sighting reports, photographs, video and audio recordings. please review our
    media submission guidelines
    receive sightings update
    eMail notices