‘Unbelievable’ 70-Foot Fin Whale Spotted Off Vancouver Island

A rare and breathtaking sight greeted whale watchers off Vancouver Island recently when a massive fin whale, estimated at 70 feet long, was spotted in British Columbia's waters. The sighting occurred on June 28, when a group with Sooke Coastal Explorations encountered the majestic creature. Mollie Cameron, a skipper with the company, described the experience as "unbelievable" and "breathtaking."

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We were really excited to see that animal.

Cameron noted the sheer scale of the fin whale, even in comparison to the humpbacks they regularly see in the area. "Even in comparison to a humpback, it was just breathtaking to see that large of an animal, the second-largest animal in the world," she told Global News. The encounter was particularly exciting as fin whales are not commonly seen in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with documented sightings being rare over the past decade.

Fin whales, second only to blue whales in size, are impressive creatures. According to IFAW, newborns weigh around 3,600 pounds, and adults can average about 99,000 pounds. The species is currently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The rarity of this sighting underscores the significance of the encounter for the whale watchers, who described it as an "incredible" learning experience.

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We see humpbacks pretty regularly here, but even in comparison to a humpback, it was just breathtaking to see that large of an animal, the second-largest animal in the world.

Experts attribute the increase in whale sightings in the nutrient-rich Salish Sea to ongoing conservation efforts. The closure of the last commercial whaling station in B.C. in 1967 marked a turning point, contributing to the recovery of whale populations in the region. This recent fin whale sighting serves as a powerful reminder of the diverse marine life that inhabits these waters and the success of conservation initiatives.

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To see a species you’ve never seen before, it’s just so exciting. You’re not super familiar with seeing them, with their behaviour and it’s a learning experience and it’s really incredible to encounter an animal you’ve never seen before.