We departed from Nanaimo, heading out into the Strait of Georgia in search of whales. The vast expanse of water stretched out before us as we scanned the horizon, eager for a glimpse of marine life. After some time, we received a promising report from one of our off-duty captains, who had spotted orcas not too far from our location. Excited, we quickly altered our course and made our way toward the sighting.

Soon enough, we encountered the T037As.

T037A Volker ♀ (1994)
T037A2 Inky ♂ (2009)
T037A4 Crinkle ♀ (2015)

They were actively hunting, their sleek black-and-white bodies cutting through the water with precision and purpose. As we watched closely, it became evident that they had been successful in their hunt—a porpoise had been their target. We noticed bits of remains and guts floating by, a stark reminder of the rawness of nature. The orcas celebrated their kill, their behavior becoming more animated and playful in the aftermath of their success.

After spending some time observing the T037As, we moved on and were fortunate enough to encounter two majestic humpback whales traveling together. Their massive forms gracefully broke the surface, sending plumes of mist into the air as they exhaled. It was a beautiful sight—an awe-inspiring display of the gentle giants of the sea swimming side by side. We got a glimpse of one of the tails of one of these whales, identifying them as Sherwina (BCY0961). The other we recognized from the dorsal fin as a whale that we have been seeing a lot lately, but unfortunately are still to cross-match to any of our catalogues, so they remain a mystery.

Our adventure didn’t end there. As we made our way back towards Nanaimo, we came across another pod of orcas, the T035As.

T035A Lester ♀ (1998)
T035A1 Opal ♀ (2010)
T035A2 Topaz ♂ (2013)
T035A3 Garnet (2018)
T035A4 ♂ (2022)

Like the first pod, they were engaged in a hunt, this time without the target as clear to us, and uncertain success. We still watched in awe as they skillfully navigated the waters, demonstrating the intelligence and power these creatures possess.

It was an unforgettable day, filled with extraordinary sightings of two different orca pods and the two humpback whales. Photos of all three of these amazing encounters were taken by the onboard Marine Naturalist Aly Kohlman and can be viewed below!

NOTE: This photos are of T037As hunting, including the chase, the final strike, and the aftermath. Viewer discretion is advised.