May 7th - Orcas Found Near Wallace Island

Our day started with a report of orcas heading through Active pass, between Mayne and Galiano islands. After leaving Nanaimo harbour, we made our way south down Trincomali channel, and it turned out the whales were headed toward us! 

Three out of four T101 family members surfacing in the sunny Gulf Islands archipelago. Photo by Val Watson

Three out of four T101 family members surfacing in the sunny Gulf Islands archipelago. Photo by Val Watson

We found the T101 family near Wallace island in Trincomali channel, just finishing up some hunting! Next, we followed along as mom and her three boys travelled north up the channel. 

T102 is a 34 year-old male, and like most male transient orcas, he will probably travel with his mother T101 for her entire life. Photo by Val Watson

T102 is a 34 year-old male, and like most male transient orcas, he will probably travel with his mother T101 for her entire life. Photo by Val Watson

Trincomali Channel is named for the ship "HMS Trincomalee" a sailing frigate which was assigned to the Royal Navy's Pacific Station near Victoria in the 19th Century. She is now restored as a museum ship in Hartlepool, England. The channel and its surroundings are as beautiful today as ever, and we admired bald eagles perched high up on the nearby conifers, and the cormorant rookeries on the rocky cliffs as we headed home.

Want to experience whales and other wildlife with us? Join our next tour! We depart daily from Nanaimo harbour. Book online or give us a call at 1-250-667-5177. Looking forward to having you onboard!