VIEWING GUIDE
View our guide on when, where, and how to watch marine animals from shore.
In 2015, the B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network, a citizen science program that collects sightings of whales, dolphins, porpoises, and sea turtles across the coast of B.C. for conservation-based research, noticed it was receiving a significant amount of sighting reports from land. This was surprising, due to fact that Sightings Network outreach was targeted almost entirely toward mariners and land-based whale watching was not actively promoted in B.C. Inspired by this pattern, The BC Cetacean Sightings Network teamed up with The Whale Trail to help expand the project throughout British Columbia.
After two years of working with dedicated local groups in areas known to have successful land-based whale watching opportunities, B.C. is now host to over 39 designated Whale Trail sites, marked by interpretive panels or trail markers. Every Whale Trail panel highlights local information and marine mammal species that can be spotted in the area. Additionally, the Whale Trail BC contributes to conservation-based research by prompting people to report their sightings to the Sightings Network, which is used to help track populations of marine mammals in B.C. The Whale Trail B.C. is generously supported in part by Mountain Equipment Coop, WWF Canada, Patagonia, The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, and Prince Rupert LNG with additional panels funded in local areas by individuals and organizations.
The Whale Trail
British Columbia Timeline
Springer (A73) Rescued
Orphaned orca A73 Springer discovered near Seattle. Six months later she was successfully rescued, rehabilitated and reunited with her family on the north end of Vancouver Island. Orphan Orca Fund leads community fundraising efforts.
SRKW Listed as Endangered
Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) are listed as endangered by NOAA Fisheries. If current population trend worsens or stays the same, J, K and L pods could go extinct in as few as 100 years.
Celebrate Springer 2012
Tenth anniversary of Springer’s homecoming celebrated in Seattle, Vancouver, and Telegraph Cove, BC
Orca Tour 2014
TWT produces lecture tour featuring Erich Hoyt. We travel from Saturna BC to Monterey CA – 9 cities, 4 states, 2 countries in 2 weeks. Co-hosted by SIMRES, ACS Oregon, PTMSC, OCNMS, NMS West Coast Region and the Georgia Strait Alliance. We travel with Mike, a life-size replica of J26!
British Columbia Team Forms
We partner with BC Cetacean Sighting Network to promote shore-based whale watching in BC.
First signs in BC
Interpretive panels installed in Vancouver, Southern Gulf Islands, Uclulet and Telegraph Cove. Southern Gulf Islands fund and install custom Whale Trail markers.
Orca Tour 2015
A new tour with Erich Hoyt, featuring stops in Saturna, Sydney, Olympia, Tacoma and Seattle.
Springer seen with Second Calf
DFO team spots Springer, Spirit and a new calf in Whale Channel!
Celebrate Springer 2017
Team gathers on Vashon Island and Telegraph Cove to celebrate 15th anniversary!
Five new signs in BC
Funded by Patagonia/World Wildlife Fund