SITES

Click below to discover more about The Whale Trail sites throughout BC.

PARTNERS

The Whale Trail is a collaborative effort. Find out who our BC partners are.

TRAVEL TIPS

Check out these handy tips before you explore The Whale Trail in BC.

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

January 14, 2002
Springer (A73) Rescued

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.

June 27, 2005
SRKW Listed as Endangered

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.

July 13, 2012

Celebrate Springer 2012

Tenth anniversary of Springer’s homecoming celebrated in Seattle, Vancouver, and Telegraph Cove, BC

May 16, 2014
Orca Tour 2014

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!

February 16, 2015
British Columbia Team Forms

British Columbia Team Forms

We partner with BC Cetacean Sighting Network to promote shore-based whale watching in BC.

July 17, 2015

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.

December 28, 2015
Orca Tour 2015

Orca Tour 2015

A new tour with Erich Hoyt, featuring stops in Saturna, Sydney, Olympia, Tacoma and Seattle.

July 11, 2017
Springer seen with Second Calf

Springer seen with Second Calf

DFO team spots Springer, Spirit and a new calf in Whale Channel!

July 21, 2017
Celebrate Springer 2017

Celebrate Springer 2017

Team gathers on Vashon Island and Telegraph Cove to celebrate 15th anniversary!

August 1, 2017
Five new signs in BC

Five new signs in BC

Funded by Patagonia/World Wildlife Fund

REPORT SIGHTINGS

Report your awesome sightings of marine mammals here!

NOMINATE A SITE

Fill out our nomination form for that amazing site.

SHARE YOUR STORY

Share your inspiring story below or at tag #thewhaletrail.

SUPPORT US

The Whale Trail depends on your support. Get involved!