May 3rd – Humpback Whale Encounter!

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Andrew

Humpback Whale

Today we encountered a favorite Humpback Whale, “Big Mama” near Mandarte Island:) The old girl was is a very relaxed mood whilst we were on scene though she did show us her enormous tail flukes a couple of times! Apart from “Big Mama” we also got to see Harbor Seals, Harbor Porpoise, Sea Lions and Bald Eagles. It was such a gorgeous day on the water and exactly why the Pacific Northwest is rated as one of the top whale watching destinations in the world!
To see more images from this gorgeous day, click on the link below;
May 3 – Humpback Whale encounter

May 2nd – Afternoon with Transient Orcas!

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Andrew

Transient Orcas

This afternoon we had another wonderful encounter with Transient Orcas, this time near Salmon Bank. It was the same group we had found near Hein Bank in the morning, the TO65A’s and TO65B’s and they were in a very playful mood We got to witness several breaches, porposing, tail lobs, tail slaps, and much more!
You can see more images from this wonderful encounter at the following link;
May 2 – Afternoon with Transient Orcas

May 2 - Incredible morning trip with Transient Orcas & a Minke Whale!

May 2 – Incredible morning trip with Transient Orcas & a Minke!

Posted on May 17, 2015 by Andrew

Transient Orcas

This morning we encountered a Minke Whale in Haro Strait and then had an incredible encounter with Transient Orcas at Hein Bank! We headed out in the morning without any word of whale sightings but were confident we would find something for our guests and we sure did:) First we encountered at least one, possibly two Minke Whales in Haro Strait north of Chatham Island. Although the Minke’s were great we wanted to find some Orcas so continued on searching. We stopped off at Whale Rocks to show our guest the Harbor Seals and the large amount of Steller Sea Lions that haul out on the rocks and then headed towards Hein Bank. Most of the guests had given up hope of finding Orcas but not the crew and then suddenly we spotted some splashing in the water and sure enough we had found the T065A’s & T065B’s! What we then witnessed was nothing short of amazing as the Orcas began circling and deep diving, possibly after an Elephant Seal. We even got to witness some breaches, rare for Transient Orcas!

You can see more images from this encounter at the following link;
May 2 – Morning Transient Orca & Minke Whale encounter

May 1st – Jpod off San Juan Island!

Posted on May 10, 2015 by Andrew

Jpod

Breach

Today we had a wonderful encounter with Jpod off the west side of San Juan Island! The Orcas had been heard earlier in the day on the Hydrophone and when we headed out in the afternoon we picked them up south of Hanna Heights traveling down island.
As we just arrived on scene we saw J34 “DoubleStuf” breach a couple of times, it was an amazing sight! Then the Orcas began to flip flop back and forth. We got to see some tail slaps and spyhops as the pod continued to change direction constantly. Then the group formed together as they went into resting mode.
Apart from Jpod we also got to see Porpoise and Harbor Seals. It was a gorgeous day on the water!
To see more images from today’s tour please click on the link below;
May 1st – Jpod off San Juan

April 30th – Jpod & the Babies off Victoria!

Posted on May 10, 2015 by Andrew

Jpod & the Babies

Jpod & the Babies

Today we had an amazing encounter with all of Jpod & the Babies right off Victoria We had not had any reports until we were just leaving the dock on our afternoon tour when a call came through that Jpod had been spotted at Becher Bay heading east! When we got on scene Jpod had already traveled East past Race Rocks and we caught up with them near William Head. It was amazing to watch all of Jpod in resting formation slowly travel east past Victoria waterfront and surface in perfect harmony, now that is what we call synchronized swimming:) Our guests were especially thrilled to see the 3 new Jpod Babies, J50, J51 & J52 and all three looked happy & healthy! We got to see one of the Babies, probably J50, being very playful.

Apart from Jpod & the Babies we also got to see Harbor Seals, Northern Elephant Seals, California Sea Lions and Steller Sea Lions at Race Rocks.
What an amazing experience!
To see more images from this incredible experience please click on the following link;
April 30th – Jpod off Victoria
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April 29th – TO49C near Race Rocks!

Posted on May 10, 2015 by Andrew

TO49C

Today we encountered TO49C near Race Rocks. This lone male Transient Orca was first encountered near Becher Bay and quickly traveled to Race Rocks Ecological Reserve.  We watched from outside the park, along with two other boats, as TO49C traveled along the main channel, much to the displeasure of the Harbor Seals hanging out there! This Male Orca is already pretty big and was only born in 1998 so he is still not full grown! Apart from the Harbor Seals and TO49C, we also got to see Sea Lions and Elephants Seals today:)

It is always a treat when Orcas are close to Victoria and we can visit Race Rocks as well!
You can see more images from today’s tours by clicking on the following link;
April 29 – TO49C

April 27th - Transient Orcas near Salmon Bank!

April 27 – Transient Orcas near Salmon Bank!

Posted on May 10, 2015 by Andrew

Transient Orcas

Today we encountered Transient Orcas near Salmon Bank! The Orcas were identified as the TO36A’s and TO49B’s. Despite seeing a couple of Harbor Seals in the water nearby, the Orcas seemed in more of a traveling mode. We also saw lots of Sea Lions at Whale Rocks and a Bald Eagle. On our way home we also saw some Harbor Porpoise near Beaumont Shoals and a large number of Harbor Seals at the Chain Islets. It was another gorgeous day
You can see more images from today’s tour at the following link;
April 27th – Transient Orcas

April 26th – TO103 near Church Rock!

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Andrew

MOV_1458
Today we encountered TO103 near Church Rock, west of Race Rocks! Images by Naturalist Kayla

April 24th – 1st Humpback Whale of the season!

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Andrew

Today we encountered our 1st Humpback Whale of the 2015 season near Blunden Island and it was our old friend “Big Mama” She was the first Humpback Whale return to the Salish Sea almost 15 years ago and has been returning to these waters ever since. Whilst we were on scene she was in a resting formation and we got to see her surfacing on regular intervals without any long deep dives (Humpbacks can stay down for over 15 minutes whilst on a deep dive).

April 24 – Humpback Whale

April 23rd – Wonderful Marine Wildlife Tour!

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Andrew

Today we had a wonderful Marine Wildlife tour and encountered both River & Sea Otters, Northern Elephant Seal including a Pup, Harbor Seals, Harbor Porpoise, Bald Eagles and Steller & California Sea Lions!
April 23rd – Marine Wildlife Tour

April 20th – TO103 Encountered!

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Andrew

TO103

Today we had a wonderful encounter with a male Transient Orca, TO103! TO103 had first been spotted passing Victoria waterfront in the morning and by the time we headed out at 1.30pm he had already traveled east and was picked up a few miles south of Discovery Island. We watched this large male Transient Orca move steadily east towards Hein Bank in search of Harbor Seals or Harbor Porpoise. TO103 was born in 1967 and is one of the older male Transient Orcas seen in the area. He has traveled alone now since the passing of his mother TO104 but is seen with other Transient Orcas at times.
We also got to see some Porpoise, Seals, Steller Sealions and Bald Eagles during today’s tour!
Click on the link below to see more images from today’s tour;
April 20th – TO103 encountered

April 19th - Jpod near Manadarte Island

April 19th – Jpod near Mandarte Island

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Andrew

Jpod

Jpod

Today we had a wonderful encounter with Jpod near Mandarte Island! It is rare to see Resident Orcas in this area but they were probably searching for their favourite food, Chinook Salmon. As we watched Jpod, we saw one of the Orcas nearer to Stuart Island suddenly start to breach:) The pod was stretched from one side of Haro Strait to the other so the breach was probably a signal to the members of the pod.

We identified a number of the Orcas including J2 “Granny”, who was swimming with J34 “DoubleStuf”. Other Orcas included J22 “Oreo”, J38 “Cookie” and J26 “Mike”.
Apart from the Orcas we also saw Sea Lions at Kelp Reef and Seals at the Chain Islets.
You can see more images from today’s wonderful encounter by clicking on the link below;
April 19th – Jpod near Mandarte Isand

April 18th - Transient Orcas at Hein Bank again!

April 18th – Transient Orcas

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Andrew

Transient Orcas

For the second day in a row we encountered Transient Orcas at Hein Bank! The Orcas were soon identified as the TO65A’s, TO75, TO75B’s and TO75C1. This included the brand new Transient Orca baby T75B2 that is only a week old We were fortunate to get a call just after we left the harbour that Orcas had been spotted once again at Hein Bank so off we headed. The Orcas were in close formation and traveling north whilst we were on scene with them. We got some nice views of TO75B2 and the pod swam by and the baby was sticking close to  the mothers side.

Apart from the Orcas we also saw Harbor Porpoise and Harbor Seals as well as Bald Eagles. It was another wonderful day on the Salish Sea!
To see more images from today’s tour click on the link below;
April 18th – Transient Orcas

April 17th – Transient Orcas at Hein Bank

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Andrew

Tranient Orcas

Today we encountered a large group of Transient Orcas at Hein Bank that included the TO65A’s & TO75B’s. We had not heard anything about Orca sightings all day but just before we left the Harbour one of the American Boats headed to Hein Bank and stumbled upon a large group of Transient Orcas Hein Bank attracts a lot of Harbor Porpoise and Harbor Seals who feed at the bank on small bait fish and these Marine Mammals are Transient Orcas favorite food! The Orcas included the new Baby TO75B2, who is just a few days old.
Apart from the Orcas we also saw Harbor Seals and Bald Eagles today.