Whales anytime of the Day!

Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) can be present at any time of the day and even at night. Their presence can be indicated by their blows and surface behaviours such as lunge feeding, spy hops, and bow-riding. When the sun is setting or rising, the blows of Cetaceans can be lit up making them easier to see even from a few kilometers away. Cetaceans can be detected even at night, from hearing their blows and hearing the sound of the splash after they return to the water from breaching. Let us know what you see and hear, as there are many Cetaceans around B.C.

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 1-km away Southern Resident Orca and at least 200-m away from other Orca (Transients and Northern Residents). See the full government regulation in the following paragraph.

The Federal Government (DFO) issued the following statement about watching Orca in the wild: “Keep 1,000 metres away from Southern Resident killer whales in southern B.C. coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet. Keep 200 metres away from all other killer whales in British Columbia (B.C.) and the Pacific Ocean”. A minimum distance of 200-m must be maintained when 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.