Some of the Southern Resident Orca were seen in Georgia Strait on November 11. Members of K-pod appeared off the north end of Texada Island in the morning but it is unknown where they went in the following days. Humpback whales were seen in many areas in the northern half of Georgia Strait and it is anticipated that many of them will depart in the next few weeks for warmer waters where they will remain over the winter months. A few Humpbacks were observed breaching which is always exhilarating to see! Rounding our report are a few sightings of Pacific White-Sided dolphins.
Go to our Magazine section and learn about some dolphins that helped guide two Humpback whales back towards their migration route and see a video showing a large group of Spinner dolphins.
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.
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2023-025
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Wed Nov 15 2023
10:50 • est. 3+ Biggs Orca heading north just north of Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
12:04 • est. 3+ Biggs Orca
hunting, heading north towards the Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs), Malaspina Strait.
12:51 • est. 4 Biggs Orca heading south approaching the south end of Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait.
The Orca finished their hunt / meal.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Mon Nov 20 2023
14:57 • est. 3+ Biggs Orca heading east along the south side of Harwood / Ahgykson Island.
At 15:19, they were off the Harwood Island Sandbanks.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Sat Nov 11 2023
10:31 • SRKW Orca ◦K Pod◦ heading north to the south of Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:23 • est. 5-6 SRKW Orca ◦K Pod◦
breaching, between Grilse Point and Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
The whales were spread out.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Southern Resident Killer Whales
Southern Resident Killer Whales blowing by Texada Island
Sat, 11 Nov 2023 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Southern Resident Killer Whales
Southern Resident Killer Whales blowing by Texada Island
Sat, 11 Nov 2023 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
HUMPBACK WHALES
Wed Nov 01 2023
12:30 • est. 4-6 Humpback Whales
foraging, off Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
15:51 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south just south of Raven Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Thu Nov 02 2023
16:05 • 2 Humpback Whales
resting, off Raven Bay, Malaspina Strait.
The whales were pointed north.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Fri Nov 03 2023
16:06 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales
moving slowly, heading north mid-strait off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
17:30 • 2 Humpback Whales off Lund, Malaspina Strait.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
Sat Nov 04 2023
14:16 • 3 Humpback Whales south of the south end of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Tue Nov 07 2023
09:12 • Humpback Whales
splashing, halfway between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
Wed Nov 08 2023
12:31 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south by the light at Blubber Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat Nov 11 2023
11:14 • 2 Humpback Whales
resting, south of Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Mon Nov 13 2023
09:23 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off the southern tip of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
09:23 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south by the Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs), Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
09:50 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south past Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
15:00 • est. 4+ Humpback Whales off Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Observed from the Dinner Rock Campground. ▫ Observed from Shore
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
15:32 • est. 5-6 Humpback Whales
breaching, heading south-west off Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
15:38 • est. 4 Humpback Whales heading west, south of Point Cowan, Bowen Island, Georgia Strait.
Viewed through binoculars from Whytecliff Park. ▫ Observed from Shore
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
Tue Nov 14 2023
16:24 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south close to shore half-way between Grief Point and Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales heading south close to shore half-way between Grief Point and Powell River, Malaspina Strait
Tue, 14 Nov 2023 – 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales heading south close to shore half-way between Grief Point and Powell River, Malaspina Strait
Tue, 14 Nov 2023 – 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Wed Nov 15 2023
10:50 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales heading north just south of Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
13:08 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales heading north about two-thirds the way between Powell River Viewpoint and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
14:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Thu Nov 16 2023
09:28 • 2 Humpback Whales in front of Lang Bay in the middle of Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Sun Nov 19 2023
08:30 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales
foraging, off Coho (Kiddie) Point at the NW tip of Texada Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ From Ferry
Iwan Van Veen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
13:30 • 2 Humpback Whales
moving slowly, heading south-east, Hyacinthe Bay, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
One smaller (juvenile) and one larger whale. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
PM, Quadra Island, BC
Mon Nov 20 2023
13:52 • 4 Humpback Whales
breaching, off the south tip of Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait.
Two double breaches.
14:57 • est. 6-7 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
15:18 • 1 Humpback Whales east of the Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs), Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
15:53 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south mid Strait out from the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Tue Nov 21 2023
10:20 • 1 Humpback Whales
breaching; tail slaps, not far from shore, half way between Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs) and the west end of Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback taking a dive
Thu, 9 Nov 2023 – 1 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback taking a dive
Thu, 9 Nov 2023 – 1 items
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Tue Nov 14 2023
14:58 • est. 60+ PWS Dolphins heading north spread out in a line out from Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Thu Nov 16 2023
13:06 • 15 PWS Dolphins heading south past Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Fri Nov 17 2023
07:56 • est. 80+ PWS Dolphins heading south off Powell River.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins heading south off Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Fri, 17 Nov 2023 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins heading south off Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Fri, 17 Nov 2023 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sun Nov 19 2023
15:42 • PWS Dolphins heading north to the east of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Small group.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Mon Nov 20 2023
15:18 • PWS Dolphins east of the Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs), Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
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