Sea Otters in BC
Cover Image:
Grooming behavior captured in a sea otter’s natural marine habitat!
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
We are delighted to share with you facts about Sea Otters. Although the Wild Ocean Whale Society is primarily focused on Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), we also welcome sightings of sea otters. Sea otters were hunted extensively for their fur during the 18th and 19th-century. Since protection and conservation efforts began in the 20th-century, sea otters along the west coast of British Columbia have increased to a present population of approximately 5000 individuals. Sea otters always float on their backs when they are at the surface of the water and they never come onto land. They have the thickest fur among all animals, with over 100 000 hairss per square centimeter. Sea otters feed on sea urchins and shellfish, and they will use rocks to help crack open shells of clams and mussels. If you see a sea otter while you are out on the water as well Cetaceans, let us know!
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 from 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.
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.
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 and all society and animal needs come first before website work.
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 and eclipses.
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 up to date on our web sites, but we do monitor and receive applications.
Data For Research:
For research access to 40,000+ sightings in our database in downloadable csv files for use in spreadsheets, please Click Here. to fill in your request.
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2026-011
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Mon Aug 31 2026
08:45 • est. 3+ Biggs Orca breaching and tail slaps., heading south-east just north of William Head, Strait of Juan de Fuca. ▫ Observed from Shore
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
15:14 • 2 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south-east off Henderson Point north of Brentwood Bay, Saanich Inlet. ▫ Observed from Shore
JD, Brentwood Bay, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south-east off Henderson Point north of Brentwood Bay, Saanich Inlet
Mon, 31 Aug 2026 – 2 items
JD, Brentwood Bay, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south-east off Henderson Point north of Brentwood Bay, Saanich Inlet
Mon, 31 Aug 2026 – 2 items
JD, Brentwood Bay, BC
17:30 • est. 2+ Biggs Orca taking long dives, south of William Head, Strait of Juan de Fuca. ▫ Observed from Shore
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
Tue Sep 01 2026
11:50 • Biggs Orca ◦T002B Pedder,T002Cs◦ doing circles, in Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage.
15:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading north off McMullen Point, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Sep 04 2026
12:31 • 5 Biggs Orca heading north off Little River, Georgia Strait.
15:40 • 9 Biggs Orca hunting, near Miracle Beach Park, Georgia Strait. Successful hunt catching a harbour porpoise. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Mon Sep 07 2026
13:15 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading south between South Rendezvous Island and Read Island, Drew Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Tue Sep 08 2026
13:28 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading south between the reef at Mitlenatch Island and the north end of Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Wed Sep 09 2026
12:39 • 3 Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north approaching Coulter Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:50 • 4 Biggs Orca travelling, heading north-west 1-km offshore from Little Qualicum River, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Robert Watt, French Creek, BC
17:30 • est. 3+ Biggs Orca breaching, heading north on the south side of William Head, Strait of Juan de Fuca. Tail slaps, lots of splashing, very close to shore. ▫ Observed from Shore
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
Thu Sep 10 2026
12:00 • 5 Biggs Orca heading south near Race Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sat Sep 12 2026
12:36 • Biggs Orca ◦T100s◦ heading north near Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
12:36 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading south near Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sun Sep 13 2026
13:54 • 8 Biggs Orca ◦T023,T023Ds,T100s,T101s◦ heading north near Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. At 14:15, they were off Center Islet and still northbound.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
We got to see my favorite family of Orca’s (T002C’s)today on tour
Tue, 1 Sep 2026 – 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
We got to see my favorite family of Orca’s (T002C’s)today on tour
Tue, 1 Sep 2026 – 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Thu Sep 10 2026
14:25 • 10 NRKW Orca heading south near Church House, Calm Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Thu Sep 03 2026
12:45 • Orca around Blubber Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
15:50 • 5 Orca travelling, heading south on the inside of James Island, Haro Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
LVS, Saanichton, BC
HUMPBACK WHALES
Mon Aug 31 2026
13:15 • 6 Humpback Whales in a 2-km area west of Manson Passage, Georgia Strait.
13:42 • est. 11 Humpback Whales between Savary Island and the Pinnacles, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:45 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales trumpeting, heading south-west just to the south of William Head, Strait of Juan de Fuca. Partial breach. ▫ Observed from Shore
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
19:20 • est. 6 Humpback Whales heading south to the north-west of Coho (Kiddie) Point at the NW tip of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Tue Sep 01 2026
10:30 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales travelling & spread out, heading south off William Head, Strait of Juan de Fuca. ▫ Observed from Shore
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
11:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south near the south end of Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
12:36 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, off Harbott Point, Stuart Island, Calm Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
15:15 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales milling, out from William Head, Strait of Juan de Fuca. Appeared to still be in the area at 1645. ▫ Observed from Shore
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
Wed Sep 02 2026
07:20 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, just out from Blubber Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
07:20 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, at Grilse Point at the north end of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Thu Sep 03 2026
13:06 • 3 Humpback Whales between Marina Reef and Cortez Reef, Sutil Channel. Within a km of each other.
15:15 • 1 Humpback Whales bubble netting, near Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:30 • est. 8+ Humpback Whales foraging, from Race Rocks, Strait of Juan de Fuca. Short dives, lunge feeding, fin slaps, 6+ in Race Passage, some by Race Rocks and some further out. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
16:33 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north passing the east side of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
Fri Sep 04 2026
10:00 • 1 Humpback Whales south of Whirl Bay, Strait of Juan de Fuca. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
12:00 • est. 6+ Humpback Whales foraging, near Race Rocks, Strait of Juan de Fuca. 1 breaching a few times, 1 fin slapping with some sea lions and rolling on it’s back. Approx. 4 in Race passage, some by Race rocks and some far out. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
12:25 • 2 Humpback Whales pectoral slaps, off the south end of Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait. One whale dove, and one breaching as well as pectoral slapping.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:51 • 4 Humpback Whales milling, between Kitty Coleman Beach Park and Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Mon Sep 07 2026
13:57 • 6 Humpback Whales within 1-km of Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Tue Sep 08 2026
08:00 • 6 Humpback Whales foraging, heading north about 100-m west of North Thormanby Island, Malaspina Strait. One breach, several deep dives, surface feeding with many blows. Two young with 2 adults. Two other adults one hour ahead. 2 adults have a lot of white on top sides. ▫ Observed from Shore
MW, North Thormanby Island, BC
08:19 • 2 Humpback Whales just north of the Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs), Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
12:30 • 1 Humpback Whales about 50-yards from the shore at Kents Beach, west of Saltery Bay Ferry Terminal, Jervis Inlet.
Heather Gordon, WA, USA
15:45 • est. 8+ Humpback Whales foraging, at Race Passage, Strait of Juan de Fuca. A group of 2 close together fin slapping with the sea lions and trumpeting. Other Humpbacks in all directions in Race passage, by Race rocks and further out. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
16:40 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales foraging, heading north-east off Church Island, Strait of Juan de Fuca. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales foraging, heading north-east off Church Island, Strait of Juan de Fuca
Tue, 8 Sep 2026 – 1 items
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales foraging, heading north-east off Church Island, Strait of Juan de Fuca
Tue, 8 Sep 2026 – 1 items
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
17:30 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south to the east of Whale Island 8, Strait of Juan de Fuca. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
Wed Sep 09 2026
10:45 • est. 4+ Humpback Whales off William Head, Strait of Juan de Fuca. ▫ Observed from Shore
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
15:12 • 5 Humpback Whales off the north end of Savary Island, Malaspina Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu Sep 10 2026
15:26 • 1 Humpback Whales heading east near Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Sep 11 2026
18:25 • est. 1 Humpback Whales foraging, at the mouth of Pedder Bay, Strait of Juan de Fuca. Short dives, some splashing, circling. ▫ Observed from Shore
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
Sun Sep 13 2026
13:43 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north to the west of Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait. One whale was feeding and the other two were further out in the Strait.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
14:46 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south about 2-NM south-west of Marina Reef, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:49 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, south of Vivian Island, Georgia Strait.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
A few photos from out on tour the past two days
Fri, 4 Sep 2026 – 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
A few photos from out on tour the past two days
Fri, 4 Sep 2026 – 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SEA OTTERS
Tue Sep 08 2026
16:40 • 2 Sea Otters around Church Island and Swordfish Island, Strait of Juan de Fuca. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
Sea Otters
Sea Otters around Church Island and Swordfish Island, Strait of Juan de Fuca
Tue, 8 Sep 2026 – 1 items
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
Sea Otters
Sea Otters around Church Island and Swordfish Island, Strait of Juan de Fuca
Tue, 8 Sep 2026 – 1 items
Sylvie Gareau, Sooke, BC
SPECIES UNSURE
Sat Sep 05 2026
13:30 • est. 4 Species Unsure moving quickly, heading east off Hope Point, Gambier Island, Collingwood Channel. In the middle of the channel. ▫ Observed from Shore
LB, Hjorthoy’s Orchard, Gambier Island, BC
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The Magazine
REGIONAL & NATIONAL
Qathet Living
[Note: the article is found on pages 5-9 in the September 2026 issue.] The Grey Whale found on Texada Island this summer, â??qathetâ??, was evidently stranded during the spring northward migration, sometime after February 1, 2026….
read on
read on
SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
LiveScience
In an extraordinary first-of-its-kind video, researchers have documented a humpback whale mom grieving her stillborn calf….
read on
read on
Comox Valley Record
On game night, itâ??s easy to pick a side to cheer for. When the stakes are life or death â?? and both sides are icons of Greater Victoriaâ??s waters â?? choosing who to champion is not so easy.
That was the decision facing Sooke resident Kevin Morgan when he got a front row seat to a spectacular display of the beauty and brutality of the natural world….
read on
RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
Center for Coastal Studies
The Marine Animal Entanglement Response Program (MAER) at the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) worked to help a badly entangled minke whale east of Cape Cod yesterday afternoon. The approximately 18-foot whale was free-swimming with its entanglement and had traveled over 40 miles from where it was first seen last Sunday….
read on
read on