When Whales Travel Alone
Cover Image:
Two humpback Whales surfacing in harmony!
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
It can be a surprise to see an Orca travel on his own without the rest of his family. These tend to be males who are looking to meet up with a mate. It is extremely unusual to see a female Orca travel on her own. Not staying with their family pod, these males keep the gene pool diverse. Once they mate, they will frequently stay with that family for a while before joining back up with their birth family and siblings. Other methods Orca mix up the gene pool by is when multiple family pods get together to socialize and mate.
Humpback whales on the other hand, are seen frequently in twos or more. With the majority of their mating being done in warmer waters, their main objective in our BC waterways is to forage for food to build up energy for the long stretch of time to travel without an abundance of food. They work at cooperatively feeding together with other Humpbacks and even Sea Lions. This is not to say that the males don’t stay close to females, but siblings and ‘friends’ seem happy to travel together. As Autumn comes around, we will see more males looking to ‘escort’ females to show they are potential mates and protectors for their offspring.
For the smaller species of Dolphins and Porpoise, they are seen in groups aanywhere from 3 to 3,000, or even more for Dolphins. It’s a combination of safety in numbers or just an ability to hide from Transient Biggs Orca who hunt them.
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 all 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.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Society News & Events
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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.
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.
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2025-010
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Wed Jul 30 2025
12:15 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading south just south of Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:50 • 3 Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north, Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Thu Jul 31 2025
09:10 • 3 Biggs Orca heading south below Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
10:45 • 3 Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading south by Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait. close to lunge feeding Humpback Whales.
11:13 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ north end of Grant Reefs.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:30 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ moving slowly, heading south between Vivian Island and northwest tip of Texada Island, Georgia Strait. Left Orca approaching the NW end of Texada Island at 13:30.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Aug 01 2025
13:25 • 3 Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north west side of Manson Passage, Georgia Strait.
14:00 • 3 Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ between Mitlenatch Island, Baker Passage, Georgia Strait. passing close to Humpbacks.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:52 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ moving slowly, heading north approaching Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:55 • 3 Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north spread out below Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
18:00 • Biggs Orca by Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel. most likely the T101s again.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Aug 02 2025
16:30 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north about 3-NM north-west of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Mon Aug 04 2025
09:46 • est. 5 Biggs Orca heading north, Miracle Beach Park, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:59 • 6 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south at Oyster Bay, Georgia Strait. 2 big fins. 1.5 miles off Vancouver Island.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Aug 08 2025
10:50 • 1 Biggs Orca ◦T124C◦ by Innes Passage, Yuculta Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Aug 09 2025
09:34 • 1 Biggs Orca at Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
09:36 • 1 Biggs Orca at Deepwater Bay, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:30 • 4 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south at Middle Point, Discovery Passage. 2 males and 2 females.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:45 • Biggs Orca heading north-east from Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
15:34 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ hunting, west side of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Tue Aug 05 2025
16:11 • 2 Orca frolicking, heading south-west between Lighthouse Point and Point Roberts, Georgia Strait. Could be Biggs Orca. Showing narrow fin but little of the body, short dives. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
PV, Delta, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
Killer Whales frolicking, heading south-west between Lighthouse Point and Point Roberts, Georgia Strait
Tue, 5 Aug 2025 – 1 items
PV, Delta, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
Killer Whales frolicking, heading south-west between Lighthouse Point and Point Roberts, Georgia Strait
Tue, 5 Aug 2025 – 1 items
PV, Delta, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Killer Whales glide to the surface!
Wed, 30 Jul 2025 – 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Killer Whales glide to the surface!
Wed, 30 Jul 2025 – 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Killer Whales break the surface!
Mon, 4 Aug 2025 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Killer Whales break the surface!
Mon, 4 Aug 2025 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
HUMPBACK WHALES
Mon Jul 28 2025
19:37 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales heading west mid-strait between Powell River and Grilse Point, Malaspina Strait. At least one large Humpback.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Tue Jul 29 2025
09:00 • 1 Humpback Whales resting, off Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. Looks like a log until it moves.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:15 • 2 Humpback Whales off the Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
Wed Jul 30 2025
13:24 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south between Read Island and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:30 • Humpback Whales breaching, north of Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
14:40 • Humpback Whales off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
14:40 • 2 Humpback Whales on the Calm Channel side of Whiterock Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
16:50 • 3+ Humpback Whales heading north-west from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Thu Jul 31 2025
06:48 • Humpback Whales breaching, east of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
06:49 • 2 Humpback Whales heading to Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
07:03 • Humpback Whales at the south end of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
09:30 • est. 3-4 Humpback Whales north west side off Mitlenatch Island Nature Park, Georgia Strait.
10:45 • Humpback Whales lunge feeding, north end of Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait. with the T101s close by.
11:13 • Humpback Whales north end of Grant Reefs.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:36 • Humpback Whales off entrance to Carrington Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
15:34 • est. 6-7 Humpback Whales ◦BCX2201 Eros,BCY1229 Deca◦ out from Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait. Includes a mother-calf pair.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales Eros (BCX2201) and Deca (BCY1229) in front of Powell River
Thu, 31 Jul 2025 – 8 items
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales Eros (BCX2201) and Deca (BCY1229) in front of Powell River
Thu, 31 Jul 2025 – 8 items
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Fri Aug 01 2025
11:37 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north by the Campbell River Fishing Pier, Discovery Passage.
12:11 • 3 Humpback Whales ◦BCX1852 Raza◦ doing circles, near Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. At first, there were only two whales. At 12:46, there were three Humpbacks milling at this location. Raza is one of the whales.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:00 • 3 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Baker Passage, Georgia Strait. T101s passing close by.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Aug 02 2025
12:02 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east approaching Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
15:33 • est. 10-12 Humpback Whales spread out, over a large area in between Cortez Reef and Francisco Point, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
17:00 • 2 Humpback Whales travelling, heading south-east off Alert Bay, Broughton Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
Sun Aug 03 2025
08:00 • 20+ Humpback Whales spread out all over south off Wilby Shoals down to and past Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. their blows being lit up by the morning light.
Radio, overheard or call out
08:15 • Humpback Whales on the north side of Cormorant Island, Cormorant Channel. Several whales.
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
11:10 • est. 6-7 Humpback Whales off the Quadra Island cell tower, Sutil Channel.
14:20 • est. 3-4 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and the Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:29 • 1 Humpback Whales in front of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
15:29 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales south of Grilse Point, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
15:35 • Humpback Whales by McRae Islet, Malaspina Strait.
16:02 • Humpback Whales along the ferry route out from Little River, Comox, Georgia Strait.
16:06 • Humpback Whales breaching, north of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
16:09 • est. 3+ Humpback Whales off Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
16:40 • Humpback Whales breaching, off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
Mon Aug 04 2025
10:13 • 1 Humpback Whales at the entrance to Gorge Harbour, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
10:27 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north In front of Lund, Malaspina Strait.
11:19 • Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. Numerous humpbacks.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:59 • est. 7 Humpback Whales milling, near Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:00 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales breaching, south of Plumper Islands, Weynton Passage. One whale close to shore in the kelp. One breached 10-15 times. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
16:15 • Humpback Whales breaching, near Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Tue Aug 05 2025
12:15 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south-west between Powell River and Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
AH, Powell River, BC
12:35 • 1 Humpback Whales off Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Brief view from ferry before diving. ▫ From Ferry
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
13:54 • 4 Humpback Whales milling, top end of Cortes Island, Calm Channel. 400 meters apart.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:20 • 2 Humpback Whales tail slaps, between Blubber Bay and Westview, Malaspina Strait. ▫ From Ferry
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
Wed Aug 06 2025
16:06 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching and tail slapping, north of Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs), Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Thu Aug 07 2025
09:30 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales breaching, near Telegraph Cove, Johnstone Strait. Spread out in the passage. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
10:20 • est. 8 Humpback Whales breaching, between Blubber Bay and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:00 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales foraging, between Telegraph Cove and Weynton Passage, Broughton Strait. Spread out in the strait. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
14:10 • 4 Humpback Whales milling, off Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
17:49 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales heading north between Powell River Viewpoint and Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Fri Aug 08 2025
06:00 • 3 Humpback Whales hunting, heading north-west between Black (Albion) Point and Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait. staying close together, shorter dives. ▫ Observed from Shore
Elizabeth Kennedy, Powell River, BC
06:55 • 1 Humpback Whales bubble netting, heading north towards Whale Passage from the Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
10:14 • 3 Humpback Whales close to shore west of the Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
12:07 • Humpback Whales by Dinner Rock, Malaspina Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:43 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, between Dinner Rock and Mystery Reef, Malaspina Strait. Dives are 6 to 10 minutes apart. ▫ Observed from Shore
Terry Brown, Otter Be Good Productions
15:03 • Humpback Whales numerous whales between Marina Island shack and the reef marker Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Aug 09 2025
04:00 • 3 Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading north-west Between Black (Albion) Point and Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. One whale seems to be much smaller than the others. Multiple pectoral fin slaps. ▫ Observed from Shore
Elizabeth Kennedy, Powell River, BC
10:03 • 1 Humpback Whales between Marina Island and Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
10:50 • 4 Humpback Whales Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
17:32 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, between Powell River Viewpoint and Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait. Pectoral fin slaps.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales between Powell River Viewpoint and Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait
Sat, 9 Aug 2025 – 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales between Powell River Viewpoint and Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait
Sat, 9 Aug 2025 – 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
A Humpback Whale shows off with a powerful pec slap!
Wed, 30 Jul 2025 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
A Humpback Whale shows off with a powerful pec slap!
Wed, 30 Jul 2025 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Breaches, pec slaps, and surface splashes – Humpback Whales put on a show-stopping performance!
Mon, 4 Aug 2025 – 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Breaches, pec slaps, and surface splashes – Humpback Whales put on a show-stopping performance!
Mon, 4 Aug 2025 – 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
MINKE WHALES
Sun Aug 03 2025
06:20 • est. 2 Minke Whales milling, in front of Alert Bay, Broughton Strait. Spread apart but came close to each other when the ferry departed. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
Mon Aug 04 2025
19:15 • 1 Minke Whales travelling, heading south-west south of Malcolm Island, Cormorant Channel. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Wed Jul 30 2025
15:00 • PWS Dolphins frolicking heading towards Rendezvous Islands from Hoskyn Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
18:20 • est. 8-12 PWS Dolphins doing circles, heading south at Copper Bluffs off of Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Moving back and forth in small bay, staying close to each other and close to shore. ▫ Observed from Shore
SM, Quadra Island, BC
Tue Aug 05 2025
14:40 • est. 20 PWS Dolphins heading south approaching Teakerne Arm, Lewis Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Wed Aug 06 2025
11:20 • est. 30+ PWS Dolphins by Octopus Islands, Okisollo Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri Aug 08 2025
15:12 • PWS Dolphins in two groups in front of Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Aug 09 2025
11:15 • est. 65+ PWS Dolphins in front of Elk Bay, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Mon Aug 04 2025
19:15 • Harbour Porpoise heading south-west south of Malcolm Island, Cormorant Channel. Lots of porpoises observed. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
SEA OTTERS
Wed Jul 30 2025
14:40 • Sea Otters by the red can buoy Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun Aug 03 2025
08:15 • 2 Sea Otters on the north side of Cormorant Island, Cormorant Channel.
15:00 • 1 Sea Otters near Stubbs Island, Weynton Passage.
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
Sat Aug 09 2025
09:46 • 1 Sea Otters by Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
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