Pacific White-Sided Dolphins
Cover Image:
Pacific White Sided Dolphins leaping through the air
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White-Sided dolphins are very common along the coast and in waterways of British Columbia. They can be in small pods with 10 individuals or they can be seen in large pods that include a few hundred individuals. These dolphins are active at the surface whether travelling and porpoising, or they could be acrobatic as they leave the water and do a few spins or flips in the air. Eventhough they are called white-sided dolphins, their flanks are a light grey colour and appears light (or white) compared to the darker grey colouration of the dorsal side of their bodies. The side of these dolphins that are actually white is the ventral (stomach) side and it can be seen. Let us know if you see Pacific White-Sided dolphins or any other Cetaceans in your travels!
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
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Websites:
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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.
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2023-024
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Fri Oct 13 2023
15:30 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca by the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Oct 14 2023
08:45 • Biggs Orca by the entrance to Deepwater Bay, Discovery Passage.
10:30 • Biggs Orca at Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun Oct 15 2023
09:33 • 5 Biggs Orca heading north approaching Steep Island, Discovery Passage.
10:12 • 5 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading north close to shore right in front of Walcan Seafood Plant, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon Oct 16 2023
09:30 • Biggs Orca in front of Campbell River, Anchor Inn, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:05 • est. 6 Biggs Orca milling, under the beacon just off Turn Island, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sun Oct 22 2023
14:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading north one mile off Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. T2’s and others. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Tue Oct 31 2023
10:14 • 4 Biggs Orca heading north behind Steep Island, Gowlland Harbour. ▫ Observed from Shore
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales swimming through the waves
Sun, 22 Oct 2023 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales swimming through the waves
Sun, 22 Oct 2023 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Mon Oct 23 2023
11:45 • Orca heading west close to the range marker at the west end of Chatham Channel. Looks like just one big fin.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
HUMPBACK WHALES
Sat Oct 14 2023
10:52 • Humpback Whales not far below Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun Oct 15 2023
13:36 • 2 Humpback Whales heading towards Bute Inlet in Calm Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:53 • est. 1 Humpback Whales frolicking, heading south, south of Bowen Island, Georgia Strait. Witnesses blowing and what appeared to be frolicking. Not sure if there was one or two but think just one. White fins and dark grey back with small fin. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
MR, Roberts Creek, BC
14:30 • Humpback Whales heading south by Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Oct 16 2023
15:15 • Humpback Whales heading west at Elizabeth Island, Pryce Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:00 • Humpback Whales breaching, south of Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait. Too far to even see blows.
17:50 • 2 Humpback Whales behind Rebecca Rocks. Can cleary see blows now.
17:50 • 2 Humpback Whales midway between Rebecca Rocks and Coho (Kiddie) Point, Malaspina Strait.
17:50 • est. 1 Humpback Whales heading west further out northwest of Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
Tue Oct 17 2023
13:50 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, abeam Mink Island, Desolation Sound.
14:41 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south-east off Klahoose Wilderness Resort, Homfray Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Oct 18 2023
13:20 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off East Redonda Island, Homfray Channel.
14:00 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0057 Niagara◦ south end of Homfray Channel. Niagara and friend. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:17 • 1 Humpback Whales abeam Mary Islands, Homfray Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Oct 19 2023
08:30 • 1 Humpback Whales at Four Mile Point heading into Porpoise Bay, Sechelt Inlet.
Brent Jorgens
09:10 • Humpback Whales in Brasseau Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
09:30 • est. 1 Humpback Whales breaching, heading south in and around Brentwood Bay near the entrance to Tod Inlet. ▫ Observed from Shore
Sandra Trebbne, Brentwood Bay, BC
Fri Oct 20 2023
10:10 • Humpback Whales breaching, north-west off Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
10:45 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading west off the west end of Captain Island, Jervis Inlet. ▫ From Ferry
DA, Richmond, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales heading west off the west end of Captain Island, Jervis Inlet
Fri, 20 Oct 2023 – 1 items
DA, Richmond, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales heading west off the west end of Captain Island, Jervis Inlet
Fri, 20 Oct 2023 – 1 items
DA, Richmond, BC
11:05 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south-east toward Vanguard Bay, Jervis Inlet. ▫ From Ferry
DA, Richmond, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales moving slowly toward Vanguard Bay, Jervis Inlet
Fri, 20 Oct 2023 – 2 items
DA, Richmond, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales moving slowly toward Vanguard Bay, Jervis Inlet
Fri, 20 Oct 2023 – 2 items
DA, Richmond, BC
11:25 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south approaching Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback slicing through the water!
Fri, 20 Oct 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback slicing through the water!
Fri, 20 Oct 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:00 • est. 12 Humpback Whales spread out from Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
12:00 • Humpback Whales lone one by Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:49 • Humpback Whales heading south off Coho (Kiddie) Point at the NW tip of Texada Island, Georgia Strait. Small red zodiac whale watching vessel close by.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
13:00 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales top of the Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
13:40 • Humpback Whales tail lobs, in front of Quartz Bay, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:42 • 2 Humpback Whales at Rendezvous Islands, Calm Channel.
14:42 • 3 Humpback Whales by Von Donop Inlet, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:30 • 2 Humpback Whales just behind the far west point of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Humpback blows were side-by-side next to each other.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
Sat Oct 21 2023
11:05 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales northwest of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
11:05 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales southwest of Vivian Island, Georgia Strait.
11:33 • est. 4-5 Humpback Whales near the west side of Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait.
11:33 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales off Powell River in the middle of Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
12:40 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south between Scuttle Bay and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Wendy Galligos, Powell River, BC
13:21 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0862 Apollo◦ heading south getting close to Beach Gardens Marina, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:37 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ Poseidon◦ heading north at the south end of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sun Oct 22 2023
11:32 • Humpback Whales by Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
12:03 • Humpback Whales tail slaps, close to the ferry out from Powell River Westview Harbour, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
17:01 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales heading north out from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
18:05 • 2 Humpback Whales off of Hurtado Point south of Lund, Malaspina Strait. Diving. ▫ Observed from Shore
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
Mon Oct 23 2023
13:12 • Humpback Whales heading south third of the way to Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs) from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
16:09 • est. 4-5 Humpback Whales on the ferry line out from Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait.
Heather Harbord, Powell River, BC
17:00 • 2 Humpback Whales feeding; diving, off Hurtado Point south of Lund, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
17:28 • 2 Humpback Whales in front of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Could be the same two from over by Harwood Island earlier.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
Tue Oct 24 2023
16:45 • Humpback Whales heading south off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Wed Oct 25 2023
10:16 • 2 Humpback Whales resting, off Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs), Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:00 • est. 3-5 Humpback Whales tail slaps, off the SE end of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Group hanging out off south end of Texada island all day. ▫ Observed from Shore
PS, Halfmoon Bay, BC
15:00 • 1 Humpback Whales in Nodales Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu Oct 26 2023
10:00 • est. 3 Humpback Whales foraging, heading south-west off Carlson Point towards Porpoise Bay, Sechelt Inlet. ▫ Observed from Shore
Brent Jorgens
14:15 • 2 Humpback Whales foraging, between Lund and Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
Sat Oct 28 2023
11:15 • Humpback Whales by Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun Oct 29 2023
10:21 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north just south of Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
15:00 • est. 2 Humpback Whales around Grilse Point at the north end of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Two blows, one larger and one smaller. ▫ Observed from Shore
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
Mon Oct 30 2023
09:59 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading north mid Strait just below Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
13:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north one mile west of Vivian Island, Georgia Strait.
14:00 • 2 Humpback Whales foraging, heading north-east between Grant Reefs and Mystery Reef, Malaspina Strait. Had circled to feed. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
14:30 • 2 Humpback Whales foraging, in Shearwater Passage, Malaspina Strait.
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
16:00 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales heading north toward Grilse Point at the north end of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Blows show up very clear.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
17:00 • 3+ Humpback Whales breaching, off the Pinnacles, Georgia Strait. At least one Humpback singing but can’t locate him.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
17:00 • 4 Humpback Whales foraging, in Shearwater Passage, Malaspina Strait. Two whales joining the first two observed since 14:30. All four together. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
17:21 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north by Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Big whales.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Tue Oct 31 2023
11:30 • est. 5-6 Humpback Whales foraging, over a wide area west of Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait. Scattered groups.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
15:24 • 1 Humpback Whales resting, a third of the way out from the Powell River Viewpoint to Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
15:30 • 7 Humpback Whales foraging, spread out in a 1-NM radius south of Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
16:56 • est. 1 Humpback Whales about one third of the way out from the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. Keeps changing direction.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback pec slapping!
Sun, 22 Oct 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback pec slapping!
Sun, 22 Oct 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Mother -Apollo BCY0862 – and calf together near Powell River
Fri, 20 Oct 2023 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Mother -Apollo BCY0862 – and calf together near Powell River
Fri, 20 Oct 2023 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sat Oct 14 2023
12:00 • est. 12 PWS Dolphins in Dent Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun Oct 15 2023
11:45 • est. 25 PWS Dolphins all over the place in Frederick Arm.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon Oct 16 2023
11:20 • 10+ PWS Dolphins between Race Point and Maud Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:45 • PWS Dolphins in Deer Passage. Large group.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue Oct 17 2023
11:45 • PWS Dolphins by Granite Point, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Wed Oct 18 2023
10:39 • PWS Dolphins bow riding, heading south mid channel Powell River Westview Harbour, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Fri Oct 20 2023
12:59 • est. 3-4 PWS Dolphins heading south just swam past the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Fri Oct 27 2023
17:15 • PWS Dolphins heading south off Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Big group.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins heading south off Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait
Fri, 27 Oct 2023 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins heading south off Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait
Fri, 27 Oct 2023 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
17:43 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins heading south between Myrtle Point and Van Anda, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Tue Oct 31 2023
08:00 • est. 60-70 PWS Dolphins foraging, close in to Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. in two groups running back and forth.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
08:29 • est. 70+ PWS Dolphins heading north towards Harwood Island Spit in front of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
11:21 • est. 70+ PWS Dolphins moving quickly, heading south past Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
11:51 • PWS Dolphins heading south in front of Powell River.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
14:30 • 100+ PWS Dolphins back and forth, by Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. they seemed to be in four different groups.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
DALLS PORPOISE
Sat Oct 14 2023
11:05 • Dalls Porpoise in the bay just above Rock Bay Marine Park, Johnstone Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun Oct 15 2023
10:32 • est. 12 Dalls Porpoise moving quickly, at Separation Head, Discovery Passage.
10:53 • Dalls Porpoise south of Granite Bay, Kanish Bay.
11:45 • Dalls Porpoise all over the place in Frederick Arm. Large group.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:50 • Dalls Porpoise on Ripple Rock, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Wed Oct 25 2023
15:00 • est. 12 Dalls Porpoise off Howe Island, Nodales Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
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SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
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RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
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