Orca in Burrard Inlet (Vancouver)!

In early February, we received sighting reports of Northern Resident Orca near Powell River. We also received one report on February 16 of Southern Resident Orca near the East Sooke area (at the southern end Vancouver Island). There were also reports of Transient Orca over the last two months. Of note, three Transient Orca were in Burrard Inlet, Vancouver, for four days from March 5th to March 8th delighting many members of the public. The Orca were documented previously on one occasion in Alaska in March, 2025, and they appear to travel mainly further out in the ocean. To find out more about these Orca, go to our Magazine section to learn about 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.