With so much marine mammals present in inland waterways, there is bound to be interactions between species. For example on September 21st, there were Humpback whales, Northern Resident Orca, and Transient Orca all in the same area and interacting near the south end of Quadra Island. Another example of interspecies interaction is Pacific White-sided dolphins travelling with Dall’s porpoises, Resident Orca, and the odd time with Humpback whales. Interactions can also occur within a species; for example, Humpback whales may aggregate and form larger groups of 10 or more to feed together. Similarly, a few pods of Transient Orca may group up to hunt for prey and to travel together. Next time you are near or out on the water, hopefully you do see two or more Cetacean species interacting.
As a reminder that if you are boating and out on the water, please be aware of the presence of whales and dolphins. Signs of their presence may include blows of the Cetaceans and other boats stopped or moving slowly in an area. Boats and other water craft (e.g. kayaks) must remain at least 400-meters away from Orca and at least 100-m away from other species. See the full government regulation in the paragraph below.
The Federal Government (DFO) issued the following statement about watching Orca in the wild: “Vessels must stay 400-m away and may not position a vessel in the path of killer whales in southern BC coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet until May 31, 2025.” 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: 2024-017
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Sun Sep 15 2024
10:03 • Biggs Orca in Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage.
15:35 • Biggs Orca heading south off Little River, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Sep 16 2024
09:25 • Biggs Orca heading south off Hall Point, Sonora Island, Nodales Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:30 • est. 18-20 Biggs Orca ◦T019B Galiano,T019C Spouter◦
moving slowly, off Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait.
Spread out.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Tue Sep 17 2024
10:32 • 4 Biggs Orca heading north swimming past Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
11:04 • Biggs Orca by Vivian Island angling towards Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
Sighted as a pod.
Graham Evans, Stowaway Adventures
11:59 • 4 Biggs Orca heading north off Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Wed Sep 18 2024
12:12 • 4 Biggs Orca
milling, west of Dunsterville Islet, Hoskyn Channel.
12:42 • Biggs Orca heading north at Bold Point, Hoskyn Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:23 • Biggs Orca right in the entrance to Hole in the Wall.
Radio, overheard or call out
18:17 • 4 Biggs Orca heading north, south of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
SW, Powell River, BC
18:40 • Biggs Orca within Inner Harbour, Victoria, Gorge Waters.
Kristina Mangligot, Victoria, BC
Thu Sep 19 2024
12:45 • est. 12 Biggs Orca
moving slowly, heading north by the Pinnacles south of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
14:20 • est. 25-30 Biggs Orca heading south between Sentry Shoal and Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales in the rain
Thu, 19 Sep 2024 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales in the rain
Thu, 19 Sep 2024 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Sep 20 2024
18:00 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca by Hornby Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Sat Sep 21 2024
10:00 • Biggs Orca in front of Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
10:38 • Biggs Orca heading south off Whiskey Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
17:53 • 1 Biggs Orca far out, south of Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sun Sep 22 2024
09:17 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca ◦T100s◦ heading north north and not too far out from Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
One large male.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca – T100s – heading north by Grief Point, Malaspina Strait
Sun, 22 Sep 2024 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca – T100s – heading north by Grief Point, Malaspina Strait
Sun, 22 Sep 2024 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
17:13 • Biggs Orca ◦T100s◦ heading south at Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Thu Sep 26 2024
09:41 • Biggs Orca heading north by Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri Sep 27 2024
09:40 • est. 10 Biggs Orca around Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:55 • est. 8 Biggs Orca by Hyacinthe Bay, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sat Sep 28 2024
15:05 • 5 Biggs Orca
spread out and taking long dives, heading north between the Marina Island shack and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca Biggs Orca taking dives by Quadra Island, Sutil Channel
Sat, 28 Sep 2024 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca Biggs Orca taking dives by Quadra Island, Sutil Channel
Sat, 28 Sep 2024 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca close to shore
Mon, 16 Sep 2024 – 6 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca close to shore
Mon, 16 Sep 2024 – 6 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca swimming and blowing!
Sun, 15 Sep 2024 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca swimming and blowing!
Sun, 15 Sep 2024 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca by ferry Inner Harbour, Victoria
Wed, 18 Sep 2024 – 1 items
Kristina Mangligot, Victoria, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca by ferry Inner Harbour, Victoria
Wed, 18 Sep 2024 – 1 items
Kristina Mangligot, Victoria, BC
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Sun Sep 15 2024
11:00 • NRKW Orca south of Stuart Island, Calm Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Sep 21 2024
10:38 • 8 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading north at the Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
14:08 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ at Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Interacting with HBs at Dogfish Bay and with the Transient Orcas by the Cape Mudge Lighthouse.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun Sep 22 2024
14:22 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading south, just south of Sonora Resort on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
17:28 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ by Rendezvous Islands, Calm Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Sep 23 2024
15:17 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s,A94 Mystery◦ heading south, just south of Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Sep 27 2024
13:30 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ around Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Sun Sep 15 2024
14:27 • Orca close to the south shore of Raza Island, Calm Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Tue Sep 24 2024
10:00 • Orca just past Arran Rapids.
The Orcas were sighted at the entrance to Bute Inlet.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
HUMPBACK WHALES
Sun Sep 15 2024
07:58 • 2 Humpback Whales
breaching, between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
07:58 • 3 Humpback Whales out from the Powell River Viewpoint mid Malaspina Strait.
SW, Powell River, BC
08:05 • Humpback Whales in Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
08:16 • est. 5+ Humpback Whales off Blubber Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Bird feeding frenzy near the whales. A few headed north from Blubber Bay and the others went east towards Powell River.
SW, Powell River, BC
10:20 • Humpback Whales by Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Entangled in line!.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:43 • 4 Humpback Whales heading north, to the north of the Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait.
11:57 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north to the south of the Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper).
12:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Karin & Gavin Miller, Texada Island, BC
14:25 • 1 Humpback Whales off Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
14:25 • 1 Humpback Whales near Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
14:25 • 1 Humpback Whales in the middle of the Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Sep 16 2024
09:20 • Humpback Whales off Maud Island in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
12:03 • est. 15 Humpback Whales heading north spread across Humpback Bay, Johnstone Strait.
15:15 • 4 Humpback Whales along the south shore of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:15 • 6 Humpback Whales between Sentry Shoal and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.
Two groups of 3 humpbacks.
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
15:35 • 2 Humpback Whales along the north-west side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:45 • 1 Humpback Whales
resting, heading north mid-channel out from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
SW, Powell River, BC
16:30 • 3 Humpback Whales
taking long dives, east of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Group moving in a large circle over an hour diving deep with some pec slapping.
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
17:38 • 1 Humpback Whales north of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
17:38 • 2 Humpback Whales halfway from Rebecca Rocks to Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait.
17:38 • 1 Humpback Whales mid-channel out from Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait.
19:57 • est. 5+ Humpback Whales off Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs), Malaspina Strait.
SW, Powell River, BC
Tue Sep 17 2024
09:24 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales close to Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
09:24 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales by Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
10:40 • 1 Humpback Whales
breaching, between Powell River and Grilse Point, Malaspina Strait.
SW, Powell River, BC
10:48 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north between Westview and Grilse Point, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
11:23 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales in front of Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait.
SW, Powell River, BC
11:30 • 1 Humpback Whales
lunge feeding, heading north near Major Rock Islet and Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait.
Moving slowly.
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
12:03 • Humpback Whales
breaching, by Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs), Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:06 • 10 Humpback Whales surrounding Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Wed Sep 18 2024
13:07 • 2 Humpback Whales
resting, towards Texada Island cell tower, Malaspina Strait.
They are side by side. Close together.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:22 • 2 Humpback Whales between Read Point and Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:20 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south out from Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
16:00 • Humpback Whales
breaching, out from Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback breaching by Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait
Wed, 18 Sep 2024 – 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback breaching by Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait
Wed, 18 Sep 2024 – 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Thu Sep 19 2024
10:00 • Humpback Whales
foraging, close to Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
10:18 • 5 Humpback Whales off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:32 • 2 Humpback Whales north of Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait.
Looks like pointed toward the mainland.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
14:26 • Humpback Whales heading north by Sliammon / Tla’amin Nation, Malaspina Strait.
14:56 • Humpback Whales ◦BCX1068 Split Fluke◦ heading north-east along Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait.
Pretty sure of the ID, but not 100%.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales – BCX1068 – heading along Harwood/Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait
Thu, 19 Sep 2024 – 3 items
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales – BCX1068 – heading along Harwood/Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait
Thu, 19 Sep 2024 – 3 items
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Fri Sep 20 2024
10:24 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north by Texada Island cell tower, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
10:48 • Humpback Whales north of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
11:23 • 3 Humpback Whales between Mansons Landing and Gorge Harbour, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:53 • 4 Humpback Whales
bucking tide, south of April Point, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks showing off their flukes
Fri, 20 Sep 2024 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks showing off their flukes
Fri, 20 Sep 2024 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:06 • Humpback Whales by Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:15 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ heading north between Mitlenatch Island and Salmon Point, Georgia Strait.
Nick and a calf.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:29 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales heading north by Grilse Point at the north end of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks diving!
Fri, 20 Sep 2024 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks diving!
Fri, 20 Sep 2024 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
17:00 • Humpback Whales
foraging, southeast of Major Rock Islet off Lund, Malaspina Strait.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
17:30 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales
taking long dives, by Major Rock Islet off Lund. ▫ Second Hand
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
Sat Sep 21 2024
14:08 • Humpback Whales at Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:23 • 1 Humpback Whales
breaching, way way out south of Rebecca Rocks, Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait.
Multiple breaches.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
17:00 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales
taking long dives, between Major Rock Islet and Savary Island, Malaspina Strait.
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
17:53 • est. 1+ Humpback Whales south of Rebecca Rocks toward Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
18:00 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Hurtado Point, Malaspina Strait.
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
Sun Sep 22 2024
09:35 • Humpback Whales
bubble netting, tight to Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
10:16 • 3 Humpback Whales south of Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
17:13 • Humpback Whales at Granite Point, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Sep 23 2024
10:50 • 2 Humpback Whales
playing, by Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Both of the Humpbacks were sighted slapping their pectoral fins on the water.
10:54 • 3 Humpback Whales by Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
10:55 • Humpback Whales
bubble netting, by Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:43 • 1 Humpback Whales
milling, south west of Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
13:30 • 2 Humpback Whales off Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
13:30 • 2 Humpback Whales mid-channel between Marina Island and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
14:10 • 1 Humpback Whales just north of Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Tue Sep 24 2024
09:27 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:00 • 3 Humpback Whales
milling, between Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy and Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:32 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south towards Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Wed Sep 25 2024
10:00 • Humpback Whales by Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
Was struck by a vessel. Those on the water checked and there appeared to be no damage to the whale at the time of the report.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:39 • est. 3-4 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
12:34 • est. 10-12 Humpback Whales around Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
3 miles of one another.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks foraging together
Wed, 25 Sep 2024 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks foraging together
Wed, 25 Sep 2024 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Sep 27 2024
11:09 • 12 Humpback Whales by Mitlenatch Island.
13:30 • Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
17:07 • 2 Humpback Whales by Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait.
17:07 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
SW, Powell River, BC
18:45 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales heading north between Rebecca Rocks and Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks blowing, slapping and diving!
Mon, 16 Sep 2024 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks blowing, slapping and diving!
Mon, 16 Sep 2024 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Mon Sep 16 2024
12:03 • est. 20+ PWS Dolphins off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Sep 21 2024
10:10 • est. 15 PWS Dolphins off Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out