Imagine being out on the open waters near Vancouver Island, surrounded by the cool, salty sea breeze and the gentle sway of the boat beneath you. Suddenly, the sound of water being forcefully expelled through blowholes fills the air, and you realize that you're in the presence of something truly magnificent - a pod of transient orca, the T049As. That was the case on March 21st when our open boat left the harbour and found this pod travelling north near Entrance Island! The members of the T049As present today were:

T049A ♀ Nan (1986)
T049A1 ♂ Noah (2001)
T049A3 ♂ Nat (2011)
T049A4 ♂ Neptune (2014)
T049A5 ♀ Nebula (2017)
T049A6 (2022)

Despite their size and strength, the orcas move with quiet and deliberate grace, as if they are completely in tune with the rhythm of the ocean. Getting closer to the whales, you can see the intricate patterns and markings on their sleek black and white bodies. Noah’s dorsal fin towers over the others at an impressive 6 feet tall, although soon Nat will also be sporting a similarly sized one.

You can't help but feel a deep sense of respect for these intelligent and powerful creatures, and the importance of protecting their fragile ecosystem becomes crystal clear. Just being in their presence is a humbling experience.

As the pod moves on, disappearing into the depths of the ocean, you're left with a sense of wonder and gratitude for having had the chance to witness something so incredible. It's an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Next, our tour took us to Snake Island, where we spotted a group of harbour seals lounging on the rocks. As we approached, they lifted their heads curiously, watching us with big, dark eyes.

The way they waddled across the rocks with a distinctive, almost comical gait reminded us why the Harbour Seals remain a favourite among the wildlife we see. Some of the seals even seemed to be posing for the cameras, striking cute and playful poses for our guests to capture.

Despite their adorable appearance, harbour seals are incredibly agile and powerful swimmers, able to dive to impressive depths and hold their breath for up to 30 minutes. They're a favourite prey item for many predators, including Transient Orca, which makes seeing them in their natural habitat all the more special.

There was also a Bald Eagle keeping watch over us at Snake Island. The bald eagle is an iconic symbol of the Pacific Northwest, with its majestic appearance and impressive wingspan capturing the imagination of nature enthusiasts around the world. They can often be seen soaring high overhead, searching for their next meal or defending their territory from other eagles. They are opportunistic hunters, feeding on a wide variety of prey including fish, small mammals, and even other birds. Thanks to conservation efforts, the bald eagle population in the Pacific Northwest has rebounded in recent years, making it easier than ever to catch a glimpse of these magnificent birds in their natural habitat.

Soon we headed to Harmac where there were both California and Steller Sea Lions hauled out on the log booms. These impressive marine mammals can often be found lounging on the floating logs, soaking up the warmth of the sun and barking to each other in their distinctive language.

As we approached the log boom, we saw the massive bodies of the sea lions piled up on top of each other, jostling for the best position in the sun. Some of them were sleeping, their huge bellies rising and falling with each breath, while others were alert and watching their surroundings with curious eyes.

Getting closer, the sea lions became more animated, their barks and grunts growing louder and more frequent. They seemed to be communicating with each other, perhaps sharing information about the best places to find food or warning each other about potential dangers.

Despite their imposing size and fearsome reputation, sea lions can also be incredibly playful, and you may see them splashing in the water or chasing each other around. Their agility and grace in the water is truly remarkable, and it's easy to see why they're such a beloved sight for locals and tourists alike.

Finally, we returned to the Nanaimo Harbour. What an amazing day spent will all sorts of animals!

The onboard Naturalist, Vanessa Vereschahen, captured these moments beautifully, and you can enjoy all the photos from the tour below.