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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 28/09/2026

Where do whales go to get their teeth straightened? The ORCA-dontist. 😅 Okay, okay. That was bad. What's not bad? T49A6 Charlie II's adorable underbite. We love his teeth just the way they are! 📷: April Ryan, @sjiwhalewatch.bsky.social

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 25/09/2026

Earlier this week, the T36s and T137A "Jack" were seen sharing a large prey item for several hours. We've not been able to confirm exactly what they were feeding on, but there's speculation it could have been a minke whale. 😬 📷 : Amanda Colbert, Blue Kingdom Tours

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 24/09/2026

To kill or not to kill? That is the question. This article dives into the debate about whether lethal pinniped removal is the key to saving salmon. Seals & sea lions play a crucial role as both predators *and* prey, and we have major concerns about H.R. 9621. www.eopugetsound.org/article/cong...

eopugetsound.org

Congress debates lethal removal of seals and sea lions in Puget Sound | Encyclopedia of Puget Sound

A proposed amendment to the Marine Mammal Protection Act has renewed a debate over the merits of killing seals and sea lions to protect salmon. Proponents say it will help some endangered salmon popul...

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 23/09/2026

Happy Hump Day! 🐋 Tail slaps are one way humpback whales communicate with each other. Naturalist Katie Read of SpringTide Whale Watching & Eco Tours recently captured this "conversation" between BCY1033 "Merlin" (left) and BCY1222 "Hammer" (right).

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 18/09/2026

Just a mom and her baby — her very large, 48-year-old baby. 🥹 Here we see T65 "Whidbey II" and her son, the famous T63 "Chainsaw", cruising the waters near Vancouver, BC. 📷: Stephanie Spencer, @seabreezewhales.bsky.social

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 16/09/2026

Happy Hump Day! 🐋 This lovely lady is BCZ0409 "Stingray". First documented in 2011, Stingray is a confirmed female, and is known to visit Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in winter. She was seen yesterday off Parksville, BC. Welcome back, Stingray! 📷: Andrina Lindenaar, Ocean EcoVentures

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 14/09/2026

Jack isn't the only acrobatic orca in town! 25-year old male T60C "Yelnats" got some hangtime near Smith Island last week during what appeared to be a post-hunt celebration. 📷: Sam Murphy, Island Adventures Whale Watching

A large male orca jumps out of calm water.

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 12/09/2026

Today we're hanging out at the 49th Annual Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival. If you're in the neighborhood, be sure to swing by the Marine Science Stage at 4:00 PM to catch our talk on Humpback Whales of the Salish Sea! 🐋⛵️ For more details on the festival, visit: woodenboat.org

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 09/09/2026

Ha! From a distance, this looks like a lunge-feeding humpback with its mouth open, but it's actually two different humpback whales lunging in unison. Happy Hump Day! 🐋 📷: Liam Nelson, @eaglewingtours.bsky.social

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 03/09/2026

Ever feel like you've bitten off more than you can chew? 📷: Lauren Ryan Booth, FRS Clipper Whale Watching

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 31/08/2026

Last week, our post with orca T137A "Jack" got ~1 million views! This week, humpback BCX2020 "Hitchhiker" wants to remind us that they weigh ~3 times as much as Jack, so if you were impressed with his breach, you should *really* be impressed by this. 😉 📷: Julia Adelsheim, Wild Whales Vancouver

A humpback whale jumps far out of the water.

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 27/08/2026

⚠️ RARE BIRD ALERT ⚠️ A rare Nazca booby (Sula granti) has been spotted near Washington's Smith Island for three days in a row. This juvenile is a long way from home, as Nazca boobies are normally found from Mexico to Peru. 📷: Tony Tilt, @pugetsoundexpress.com

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 24/08/2026

If you're tired of seeing pictures of Bigg's killer whale T137A "Jack" breaching, well, sorry not sorry! With moves like these, he deserves the attention. 📷: Alex McIntire, @sjiwhalewatch.bsky.social

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 18/08/2026

Meet "Flapjack"! Flapjack (T36) was born around 1970, making her ~56 years old. She and her family have made headlines recently with visits to Seattle's Ballard Locks and Fox Island near Gig Harbor. 📷: Amanda Colbert, Blue Kingdom Whale & Wildlife Tours

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 17/08/2026

Another day, another entanglement. Fortunately, this whale was saved by experts from Cascadia Research Collective. This is costly work, and there have been more entanglements than usual this season. If you have any funds to spare, please consider donating: cascadiaresearch.org/20260814mn_e...

cascadiaresearch.org

Real-Time Public Report Helps Cascadia Free Entangled Whale off Westport, Washington - https://cascadiaresearch.org

Entangled humpback whale off Westport, Washington, found and reported by sport fishermen, Sam Azar IV. Cascadia Research Collective, NOAA permit #24359. A rapid response by Cascadia Research Collectiv...

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 14/08/2026

Were you doing some land-based whale watching from Davidson Head on north San Juan Island yesterday morning (Aug. 13)? If so, naturalist Alison Engle of Western Prince Whale Watching captured this special moment as Bigg's killer whale T19C "Spouter" swam by close to shore. 😍

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 13/08/2026

The T19, T49A, and T46B matrilines hosted a "T-party" yesterday afternoon south of the San Juan Islands. Between these three matrilines, there are *five* calves under the age of five, making for lots of playful interaction. 📷: Aly Liu, @sanjuansafaris.bsky.social

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 11/08/2026

At the Victoria Inner Harbour Airport, the odds of your flight being delayed by orcas are low, but never zero.😉 📷: Natalie Corless, Orca Spirit Adventures

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 06/08/2026

What's a kelp bed without a kelp blanket? Captain David of All Aboard Sailing snapped this photo of a sea otter settling in for a snooze in the San Juan Islands. 🦦

A sea otter sleeps in a kelp bed with kelp draped over it like a blanket.

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 05/08/2026

Happy Hump Day! 🐋 Meet BCY0842 "Wiley". Wiley was first seen off Tofino, BC in Aug. 2009, and has been visiting the Salish Sea since at least 2018. In Feb. 2020, a team with Cascadia Research Collective photographed Wiley off the island of Kauaʻi. 📷: Mollie Cameron, @whalewatchingbc.bsky.social

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 03/08/2026

Most days, we find whales. Some days, the whales find us! Check out this footage taken a few days ago as a group of Bigg's killer whales swam directly under San Juan Cruises' DOCKED vessel in Bellingham, WA. 😲 🎥: Avery Harper, San Juan Cruises

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 28/07/2026

Big thanks to naturalist Stella & captain Ethan of White Rock Sea Tours for retrieving this Mylar balloon. Mylar balloons don't biodegrade, and even balloons marketed as "biodegradable latex" can stay intact for months or years, posing a risk to wildlife. Please choose other ways to celebrate. 🚫🎈

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 27/07/2026

Telegraph Cove, BC is the PWWA's northernmost departure location. In summer, it's one of the best places to view Northern Resident orcas, like the A34s & A50s seen here. Unlike Southern Residents, Northern Residents aren't endangered, with ~375 individuals in the population. 📷: Prince of Whales

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 20/07/2026

Stan the Man! It's incredible to see any orca breach, but when it's a large male like T123A "Stanley", it's even more impressive. 📷: Clare Martin, Island Adventures Whale Watching

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 17/07/2026

Only a few days left to snag your annual fundraising tee from @orcabehaviorinstitute.org! This year's shirt features gorgeous artwork by muralist Yaz of Urban ArtWorks. Order by Sunday to support OBI's ongoing research, education, and advocacy. Limited run, so if you snooze, you lose!

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 17/07/2026

"Baby face, you've got the cutest little baby face." 🎶 This baby face belongs to Ghost's 2026 calf. We were surprised Ghost had a calf this year as she had one in 2025. Humpbacks often wait 2-3 years between calves, but can give birth every year. 📷: Katie Read, SpringTide Whale Watching & Eco Tours

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 14/07/2026

It's World Orca Day! We're so fortunate to live and work among these apex predators. Each day we strive to not only protect them ourselves, but to inspire our guests to appreciate and protect them as well. 📷: Jacob Alexander, Wild Whales Vancouver

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 10/07/2026

GOOD NEWS ALERT: After nearly a week entangled in fishing gear, beloved humpback "Pop Tart" is free! Gratitude to DFO's Marine Mammal Rescue Unit and the many PWWA members who went above and beyond for Pop Tart over the last several days. 👇 www.pacificwhalewatchassociation.com/media/2026/7...

pacificwhalewatchassociation.com

Humpback Whale “Pop Tart” Free After Week-Long Entanglement — Pacific Whale Watch Association

Renowned Humpback Whale “Pop Tart” Free After Week-Long Entanglement PWWA, DFO Join Forces Toward Successful Outcome for Entangled Whale VICTORIA, BC and SEATTLE, WA - July 10, 2026 - The Pacif...

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 08/07/2026

Happy Hump Day! 🐋 Humpback whales and sea lions both love a good fish dinner. Last week, lucky guests with Seabreeze Adventures got to watch four humpbacks and ~10 Steller sea lions hunting together in the Strait of Georgia. 📷: Uwe Zimmermann, @seabreezewhales.bsky.social

Sea lion and humpback whale swimming together.

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 07/07/2026

Pull up a chair - literally! Captain Brock and naturalist Brooke of Outer Island Excursions retrieved this plastic chair from the Salish Sea during a recent whale watching tour.

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 06/07/2026

We're back from a little holiday break and kicking things off with a SPLASH! Here's Bigg's killer whale T86A1 "Nahanni", born in 2001, demonstrating perfect belly flop form. 📷: Melisa Pinnow, San Juan Excursions

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 26/06/2026

Orcas are big. Humpbacks are bigger. It's hard to appreciate how much bigger until you see a photo like this! Just half of this humpback's fluke towers over this orca's dorsal fin. Congratulations to Tobin Sparling of Prince of Whales for capturing this remarkable image. 👏

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 25/06/2026

Happy news to share! "Skipper", the young humpback believed to have been hit by a passenger ferry near Vancouver last October, was spotted in Puget Sound earlier this week! Prior to this, her last sighting was early December. 🐋 Read more here.👇 www.pacificwhalewatchassociation.com/media/2026/6...

pacificwhalewatchassociation.com

Humpback Whale “Skipper” Defies Odds, Returns to Salish Sea — Pacific Whale Watch Association

Humpback Whale “Skipper” Defies Odds, Survives Ship Strike and Entanglement Whale Watchers Overjoyed at Return of Young Whale After Seven Months of Uncertainty VANCOUVER, BC & SEATTLE, WA - J...

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 24/06/2026

Happy Hump Day!🐋 Humpbacks are steadily streaming into the Salish Sea now, with more arriving from the breeding grounds every day. Might just be us, but they seem particularly surface active this season! Here's a great backward breach caught by Selena Rhodes Scofield of @eaglewingtours.bsky.social.

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 22/06/2026

We're starting the week off with this breaching beauty, 16-year-old Bigg's (mammal-hunting) killer whale T124A4 "Sabio". Sabio means "wise one" in Spanish and Portuguese. 📷: Jake Hawley, Orca Spirit Adventures

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 18/06/2026

Bigg's killer whales & humpbacks are the two whales seen most often on our tours. If you're lucky, you'll see both on your trip. If you're INSANELY lucky, you'll get them in the same frame!!! Here are highlights from a recent tour near Parksville, BC. Unreal! 🤩 📷: Simon Pidcock, Ocean EcoVentures

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 17/06/2026

Happy news! As a reminder, both whale watch vessels *and* recreational vessels are required to stay at least 1,000 yards/metres (WA/BC) from endangered Southern Residents in the Salish Sea. The photos in this article were taken by researchers operating under permit. cheknews.ca/were-thrille...

cheknews.ca

‘We’re thrilled’: New endangered southern resident orca calf spotted

A new orca calf born to the critically endangered southern resident killer whale (SRKW) population was recently spotted in B.C.-area waters.

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 15/06/2026

Are you kidding us with this pic!?!? No Photoshop. No AI. Just absolutely perfect timing. Naturalist Tiffany Waldner of Blue Kingdom Whale & Wildlife Tours snapped this shot near Anacortes, WA at the end of yesterday's tour. Well done, Tiffany! 👏

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 11/06/2026

Alas, there is one less harbor seal in the Salish Sea following this incredible predation event the crew at San Juan Cruises in Bellingham, WA witnessed before they even untied from the dock! 📷: Elliot Shaughnessy-Lively

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 10/06/2026

Happy Hump Day! 🐋 The first humpback mom/calf pairs are starting to arrive from the breeding grounds. Here's an adorable pic of BCX2183 "Smoke" with her new calf. Other moms with calves this year include BCY0862 "Apollo", BCY1229 "Deca", and BCX1057 "Divot". 📷: Alli Montgomery, @FRSClipper

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 09/06/2026

🚨NEW SCIENCE ALERT 🚨 A new open-access article in Marine Mammal Science examines seasonal presence of Bigg's (mammal-hunting) killer whales in the inside waters of Vancouver Island. The PWWA is proud to have contributed sightings data toward this study. doi.org/10.1111/mms....

doi.org

The Inside Waters of Vancouver Island Are Critical Foraging Habitat for West Coast Transient Killer Whales

West Coast Transient (WCT) killer whales (Orcinus orca rectipinnus) hunt marine mammals along the west coast of North America from California to southeastern Alaska. However, little information is av...

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 08/06/2026

It's World Ocean Day! 🌊 Without healthy oceans, there'd be no whales to watch. It's our duty to be good ocean stewards. Here are some pics of our members removing trash from local waters. 📷: @sanjuansafaris.bsky.social 📷: SpringTide Tours 📷: @sjiwhalewatch.bsky.social 📷: Outer Island Excursions

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 08/06/2026

In honor of Orca Action Month, Orca Behavior Institute teamed with artists for the "75 Fins for 75 Whales" project. The project features life-sized dorsal fins - one for each living Southern Resident - at various locations throughout the Salish Sea and beyond. vicnews.com/2026/06/05/e...

vicnews.com

Endangered orcas surface in Victoria Inner Harbour to inspire call to action - Victoria News

Orca Action Month runs June 1-30

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 05/06/2026

This week, a massive group of Bigg's orcas entered the Salish Sea via the Strait of Juan de Fuca. All told, more than FORTY individuals were identified. 🤯 That means there are an awful lot of whales around right now, so keep your eyes peeled! 👀 📷: Mollie Cameron, @whalewatchingbc.bsky.social

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 03/06/2026

Happy Hump Day! 🐋 Forget synchronized swimming, synchronized *feeding* is all the rage within the humpback whale community. Check out these amazing photos of BCX1193 "Zig Zag" & BCY0523 "Graze" doing their thing in BC's Howe Sound. 📷: Sara Jenkins, Wild Whales Vancouver

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 02/06/2026

We love this series of young Bigg's killer whale T46B1D "Tashi" breaching up a storm. Looks like so much fun! 📷: Alison Engle, Western Prince Whale Watching Adventures

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 31/05/2026

Minke May 2026 has come to a close. We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know these mystical mysticetes a bit better. We’ll end by sharing a great shot of not one, but *two* beautiful minke whales swimming side-by-side in the Salish Sea. 📷: Matt Stolmeier, Outer Island Excursions

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 28/05/2026

Just a few days left of Minke May! Minkes are quite fast. We’ll be honest, minke encounters often involve nothing more than a few quick glances at a fleeting fin. If you’re lucky enough to catch them lunge-feeding, however, it can be a real sight! 📷: Sara Shimazu, @sjiwhalewatch.bsky.social

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Pacific Whale Watch Association @pacificwhalewatchassociation.com · 27/05/2026

It's seal pup season in the Salish Sea, so here's a refresher on what to do if you find a lone pup. SPOILER ALERT: Don't touch! 🫳🚫🦭 Mom is likely nearby looking for food. Concerned? In BC call: 1-604-258-SEAL (7325) In WA call: 1-866-767-6114 www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN9V...

youtube.com

How to Be Seal Smart

YouTube video by VA Marine Mammal Rescue Society

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