Numerous Humpback Whales!
Cover Image:
Humpback Whales breaching and blowing!
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Over the past few weeks, there has been an increase in sightings of Humpback whales. Humpbacks have been observed along ferry routes near Vancouver, near the Sunshine Coast, and in upper Georgia Strait with its adjacent waterways. Many of them were observed breaching and a few were seen doing tail lobs as well as pectoral slaps. One Grey whale was observed passing Campbell River on June 23. On June 29, some of the Northern Resident Orca appeared between Savary Island and Harwood Island, but no other sightings of them were reported. Transient Orca have appeared notably in Burrard Inlet, Indian Arm, and English Bay, delighting many onlookers in the Vancouver area. Many pods of Pacific White-Sided dolphins were observed in Discovery Passage. Rounding our report are one sighting of Dall’s porpoises and one sighting of Harbour porpoises.
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, 2026.” 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:
Donations can be made directly by e-transfer to accounting@ wows.org (remove the space after the @) as well as through our Donate button on our website pages.
Thank you all for your kind and continuing donations. Your support is greatly appreciated – we can't do it without you.
Thank you all for your kind and continuing donations. Your support is greatly appreciated – we can't do it without you.
PRISMA on the Beach:
If you are Powell River on Saturday, June 28, 2025 the annual PRISMA free concert will be at Willingdon Beach. There are food vendors and WOWs will be there with our information table. Stop by and say hello!
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 will be updated again soon. We apologize for delays, but we are volunteers working on this.
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 35,000+ 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: 2025-007
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Mon Jun 09 2025
14:45 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ moving slowly, heading west just past Redonda Bay, West Redonda Island, Deer Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Wed Jun 11 2025
11:20 • 1 Biggs Orca heading south off Big Rock Boat Ramp, Campbell River, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:00 • 5 Biggs Orca hunting, heading north-east at the south end of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Near shore. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
Delwyn Smith, BC
Thu Jun 12 2025
13:03 • 6 Biggs Orca milling, near Lake Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel. Small finned.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Jun 13 2025
13:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T023,T069s◦ heading west above Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sat Jun 14 2025
08:30 • Biggs Orca in front of Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait. Splashing.
SW, Powell River, BC
12:42 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T063 Chainsaw◦ heading south moving about 2 knots, three miles off Vivian Island, Georgia Strait. Chainsaw and his mother.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Mon Jun 16 2025
15:40 • est. 4+ Biggs Orca spread out, heading south, south of Willingdon Beach, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Three of the Orcas were seen with large dorsal fins. The pod was observed taking very long dives. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca by Pebble Beach, BC
Mon, 16 Jun 2025 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca by Pebble Beach, BC
Mon, 16 Jun 2025 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
16:20 • 5 Biggs Orca heading south from Myrtle Point, south of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Tue Jun 17 2025
14:00 • est. 2 Biggs Orca breaching, heading east near Mackay Creek, North Vancouver, Burrard Inlet. In front of the loading berth for Fibreco. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
LB, Vancouver, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca breaching near Mackay Creek, Vancouver
Tue, 17 Jun 2025 – 1 items
LB, Vancouver, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca breaching near Mackay Creek, Vancouver
Tue, 17 Jun 2025 – 1 items
LB, Vancouver, BC
15:43 • est. 6-8 Biggs Orca heading north off Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jay Feaver, Powell River, CCG
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading north off Grief Point, Malaspina Strait
Tue, 17 Jun 2025 – 1 items
Jay Feaver, Powell River, CCG
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading north off Grief Point, Malaspina Strait
Tue, 17 Jun 2025 – 1 items
Jay Feaver, Powell River, CCG
Thu Jun 19 2025
19:00 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca frolicking in Okeover Inlet. They hugged the east bank going to the end of Okeover Inlet, then came back along west bank going out of inlet. ▫ Observed from Shore
TI, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca frolicking in Okeover Inlet
Thu, 19 Jun 2025 – 1 items
TI, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca frolicking in Okeover Inlet
Thu, 19 Jun 2025 – 1 items
TI, Powell River, BC
Sat Jun 21 2025
13:29 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading south just south of Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. 1 big fin.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading south just south of Marina Reef, Sutil Channel
Sat, 21 Jun 2025 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading south just south of Marina Reef, Sutil Channel
Sat, 21 Jun 2025 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sun Jun 22 2025
09:58 • Biggs Orca at Dent Island in Dent Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:39 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading south by South Rendezvous Island in Calm Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading south by South Rendezvous Island in Calm Channel
Sun, 22 Jun 2025 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading south by South Rendezvous Island in Calm Channel
Sun, 22 Jun 2025 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Mon Jun 23 2025
11:23 • Biggs Orca off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
18:09 • Biggs Orca in Prideaux Haven, Homfray Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Tue Jun 24 2025
10:58 • Biggs Orca by Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:57 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading south near the Pinnacles, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:18 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ by Vivian Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Thu Jun 26 2025
09:57 • Biggs Orca off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri Jun 27 2025
11:53 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north near Mansons Landing, Sutil Channel.
12:45 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading south past Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sat Jun 28 2025
–:– • Biggs Orca off Ambleside Park, West Vancouver, Burrard Inlet. Observed mid-day. ▫ Second Hand
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
17:15 • 4 Biggs Orca playing, heading west travelling into the bay past the pier at Semiahmoo Bay, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
SG, White Rock, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca playing, heading west travelling into the bay past the pier at Semiahmoo Bay, Georgia Strait
Sat, 28 Jun 2025 – 2 items
SG, White Rock, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca playing, heading west travelling into the bay past the pier at Semiahmoo Bay, Georgia Strait
Sat, 28 Jun 2025 – 2 items
SG, White Rock, BC
Mon Jun 30 2025
08:30 • est. 4 Biggs Orca travelling, heading north just south of Croker Island, Indian Arm. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
BW, BC
12:30 • est. 3 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading west by First Narrows, Vancouver, Burrard Inlet. At least three of them, travelling west out of First Narrows! We saw them from Ambleside Park. ▫ Observed from Shore
AH, West Vancouver, BC
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Sun Jun 29 2025
12:33 • 5 NRKW Orca heading south approaching the north end of Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait. Two humpbacks following 300 metres behind.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:51 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ in Shearwater Passage, Malaspina Strait.
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River, BC
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Thu Jun 19 2025
13:12 • est. 10 Orca doing circles, between Cape Lazo and Texada Island in Georgia Strait. Circling a lone humpback.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sat Jun 21 2025
06:30 • est. 17 Orca in Toba Inlet. By Toba Wilderness Lodge. ▫ Second Hand
14:00 • Orca by Rendezvous Islands, Calm Channel.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
HUMPBACK WHALES
Sun Jun 08 2025
11:15 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, just south of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
13:58 • Humpback Whales off Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
14:36 • 3 Humpback Whales just south of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
16:09 • 2 Humpback Whales near Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Jun 09 2025
16:32 • Humpback Whales at the entrance to Teakerne Arm.
Radio, overheard or call out
Tue Jun 10 2025
13:00 • 1 Humpback Whales bubble netting, near Frederic Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Wed Jun 11 2025
11:20 • 3 Humpback Whales milling, off Big Rock, Campbell River, Georgia Strait. One orca south of them. At 11:38, they were heading north.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:27 • est. 2 Humpback Whales heading north between Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs) and the southern tip of Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
15:10 • 1 Humpback Whales resting, near Upwood Point at the south end of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. The whale blew and moved out of the way as we got close. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
Delwyn Smith, BC
16:02 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east 1 mile south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. Mother-calf pair.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu Jun 12 2025
11:51 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, off the pinacles east of Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel. Mom and calf.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Jun 13 2025
15:05 • 4 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0885 Potamus◦ resting, near Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sat Jun 14 2025
13:29 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX1602 Lorax◦ moving slowly, heading south three miles off Vivian Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sun Jun 15 2025
06:45 • est. 4 Humpback Whales breaching, heading east a few km south of Cape Roger Curtis, Bowen Island, Georgia Strait. There were two groups of two – seperated by about 0.5-km. The pair further west was breaching. ▫ From Ferry
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
13:39 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north between south end of Marina Island and Francisco Point in Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks diving in Sutil Channel
Sun, 15 Jun 2025 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks diving in Sutil Channel
Sun, 15 Jun 2025 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
19:20 • est. 5 Humpback Whales breaching, about 3-km southwest of Cape Roger Curtis, Bowen Island, Georgia Strait. The whales were spread. Different whales breaching sporadically. One whale was slapping pectoral fins continuously for at least 3-minutes. ▫ From Ferry
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
Tue Jun 17 2025
08:57 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, at the southern tip of Harwood / Ahgykson Island, across from Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:27 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, mid-strait, south of Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs), Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
17:00 • est. 3+ Humpback Whales breaching, heading south-east a few km south of White Islets, Georgia Strait. Observed from Mission Point park. ▫ Observed from Shore
Richard Corbet, Sechelt, BC
Wed Jun 18 2025
12:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:08 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south 2/3rd the way to Grilse Point at the north end of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Viewed from Powell River. ▫ Observed from Shore
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Thu Jun 19 2025
12:08 • est. 2 Humpback Whales resting, heading north between Grant Reefs and Little River in Georgia Strait.
13:13 • est. 1 Humpback Whales between Cape Lazo and Texada Island in Georgia Strait. Being circled by approximately 10 orcas.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:47 • est. 2 Humpback Whales heading south between Gibsons Beach and Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs) in Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
15:54 • Humpback Whales heading north between the south end of Harwood / Ahgykson Island and Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs) in Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
16:51 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, 600m in front of Powell River Westview Harbour in Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Fri Jun 20 2025
06:52 • Humpback Whales breaching, halfway between Powell River and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
SW, Powell River, BC
09:33 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales ◦BCX1852 Raza◦ at Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
09:41 • est. 2 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
14:40 • 3 Humpback Whales off the north end of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
14:40 • 2 Humpback Whales closer to Cortes Bay, Cortes Island, Malaspina Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Jun 21 2025
10:36 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north under Texada Island cell tower, Malaspina Strait. Whales either northbound or circling. One looked like a baby.
Heather Harbord, Powell River, BC
10:43 • 2 Humpback Whales frolicking, in front of Westview straight out from Pentictoon Street and close to the north tip of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Lois Bridger, Powell River, BC
11:00 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching and tail lobbing, between Powell River Viewpoint and Grilse Point, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
11:36 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, half way between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:39 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, 2 miles east of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sun Jun 22 2025
08:48 • est. 1 Humpback Whales heading south from south end of Harwood / Ahgykson Island in Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
10:10 • Humpback Whales heading south at No Name Creek in Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:59 • est. 2 Humpback Whales up the strait towards Sliammon / Tla’amin Nation in Malaspina Strait. Changing directions.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales breaching in Malaspina Strait
Sun, 22 Jun 2025 – 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales breaching in Malaspina Strait
Sun, 22 Jun 2025 – 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
14:56 • 3 Humpback Whales milling, 1 mile south of Mitlenatch Island in Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales south of Mitlenatch Island in Georgia Strait
Sun, 22 Jun 2025 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales south of Mitlenatch Island in Georgia Strait
Sun, 22 Jun 2025 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
17:22 • est. 2 Humpback Whales breaching, right in front of Powell River Viewpoint in Malaspina Strait. Breaching close. Tails lobs also observed.
SW, Powell River, BC
Mon Jun 23 2025
14:43 • 1 Humpback Whales just west of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
14:56 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ bucking tide, near Diamond Bay, Okisollo Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Tue Jun 24 2025
10:56 • 2 Humpback Whales by Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:09 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north just south of the Pinnacles, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:32 • Humpback Whales heading south off Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:28 • 1 Humpback Whales out from the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. Possibly more than one whale.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
15:18 • 2 Humpback Whales by Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. Mother-calf pair.
Radio, overheard or call out
18:29 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales between Powell River and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
19:13 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Wed Jun 25 2025
10:26 • 2 Humpback Whales close to Mitlenatch Island and Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait. Plus another close to mitlenatch.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:26 • Humpback Whales heading north in front of Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:44 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCX1852 Raza◦ heading north at Spoil Grounds south of Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
12:45 • 3 Humpback Whales ◦BCX1852 Raza◦ south of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait. Raza joined mom and calf.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:27 • 3 Humpback Whales breaching, between Rebecca Rocks and Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. Spread out.
SW, Powell River, BC
15:45 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, heading south, north of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Pec slapping. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu Jun 26 2025
09:15 • 2 Humpback Whales by the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri Jun 27 2025
07:30 • est. 1 Humpback Whales tail slaps, mid channel close to Galiano Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ From Ferry
RK, West Vancouver, BC
08:45 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales breaching, north of Van Anda, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat Jun 28 2025
09:07 • Humpback Whales breaching, mid channel, out from Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait.
SW, Powell River, BC
10:50 • est. 3-6 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:03 • Humpback Whales sound – dive down, mid channel northeast of Cyril Rock, Malaspina Strait.
SW, Powell River, BC
12:05 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south one mile southwest of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
20:17 • 3 Humpback Whales off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Sun Jun 29 2025
11:57 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south off the northwest side of Savary Island, Malaspina Strait.
12:33 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south approaching the north end of Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait. Following Orcas.
14:24 • 5 Humpback Whales milling, between north Grant Reefs and Pinnacles, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:45 • 3 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
17:38 • 1 Humpback Whales between Powell River Viewpoint and Cyril Rock, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Mon Jun 30 2025
11:06 • Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait. Many whales in the area.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:43 • Humpback Whales between the north-west end of Savary Island and Vivian Island, Georgia Strait. Many whales in the area.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:41 • Humpback Whales pectoral slaps, between the Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs) and the south tip of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
15:42 • Humpback Whales breaching, south of the Texada Island cell tower, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
16:05 • Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading north across from Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
GREY WHALES
Mon Jun 23 2025
–:– • 1 Grey Whales heading north off Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Observed in the morning.
Radio, overheard or call out
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sun Jun 08 2025
10:05 • PWS Dolphins out from Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
12:30 • PWS Dolphins between Steep Island and Painters Lodge, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Wed Jun 11 2025
16:26 • 10 PWS Dolphins heading north-west off Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Jun 13 2025
11:15 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins milling, above Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
14:15 • est. 25 PWS Dolphins heading south, April Point, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins heading south, April Point, Discovery Passage
Fri, 13 Jun 2025 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins heading south, April Point, Discovery Passage
Fri, 13 Jun 2025 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Wed Jun 18 2025
16:08 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins foraging, off Howe Island, Nodales Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins foraging, off Howe Island, Nodales Channel
Wed, 18 Jun 2025 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins foraging, off Howe Island, Nodales Channel
Wed, 18 Jun 2025 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Jun 20 2025
15:10 • est. 15-20 PWS Dolphins in Okisollo Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Jun 21 2025
15:59 • PWS Dolphins close to Separation Head, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Tue Jun 24 2025
10:56 • PWS Dolphins in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. Closer to Quadra Island.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Jun 28 2025
20:17 • 5 PWS Dolphins heading south off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Mon Jun 30 2025
13:03 • PWS Dolphins heading south by Sarah Point, Malaspina Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
DALLS PORPOISE
Wed Jun 11 2025
14:50 • est. 15 Dalls Porpoise moving quickly, heading south between Thormanby Islands and Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Traveling together fast, jumping out of the water as they swam. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
Delwyn Smith, BC
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Thu Jun 19 2025
09:50 • est. 10-20 Harbour Porpoise about 1-km south of Dundarave, West Vancouver, Burrard Inlet. One porpoise breached once. Observed with binoculars. ▫ Observed from Shore
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
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The Magazine
REGIONAL & NATIONAL
CTV News
Jared Towers was in his research vessel on two separate occasions watching killer whales off the coast of Vancouver Island when the orcas dropped their prey directly in front of him and his colleagues.
The encounters he describes as â??rareâ? and awe-inspiring have led to a new study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Comparative Psychology, detailing researchersâ?? experiences with killer whales apparently sharing their food with humans….
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SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
IFLSCIENCE
Animals can work cooperatively in groups all the time to impress females, catch prey, or even groom each other. Species working with another species outside of their own is a lot more unusual, but this appeared to be what a local conservationist group in Western Australia recorded recently….
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The Dodo
Simon Lorenz is an experienced underwater photographer and the founder of Insider Divers, and has therefore had many incredible encounters with ocean life. Recently, though, he saw something that took his breath away….
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The Telegram
One of those things just did not look like the others.
Article content
During an offshore surveillance patrol flight on June 5, conservation protection officers with the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) observed a large pod of pilot whales in an area known as the Sackville Spur â?? some 499 kilometres out in the Atlantic Ocean east of St. Johnâ??s….
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RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
LIVESCIENCE
Dwarf sperm whales have an unusual way to protect themselves if they come under attack. When they feel threatened, these tiny whales release their intestinal fluid, turning the water red….
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