It was another adventure down through the Southern Gulf islands for our afternoon tour on June 25th. We had heard reports of whales down in Swanson Channel so we decided to head that way and see if we could find them! We travelled first through an area known as Dodd Narrows.

Located in the beautiful region of Vancouver Island, Dodd Narrows is home to a thriving and diverse marine ecosystem. This narrow channel, connecting the waters of Northumberland Channel to the north and the calm waters of Stuart Channel on the south, creates unique conditions that support a rich array of marine life. The swift tidal currents that pass through the narrows provide a constant supply of nutrients, attracting an abundance of small fish and invertebrates. This, in turn, entices larger predatory species such as seals, sea lions, and even orcas to visit the area in search of a feast. The nutrient-rich waters also nurture an incredible variety of marine plants, including colourful kelp forests, which provide important habitats for countless organisms. Some of this tidal life can be viewed from shore by hiking out on the Cable Bay Trail. At low tide you’ll see species like Goose Neck Barnacles, Surf Anemones, and large congregations of California Mussels. These species are typically only found on the other side of the island where the oxygen introduction comes from the breaking of the waves instead of the currents like we see at Dodd.

From Dodd, we headed down to the islands and went to the last known location of the whales that were reported in the area. We did a search pattern looking all through the islands and we couldn’t manage to require them. Hours later after returning home, reports of the whales that we were looking for turned up miles south of where they were last seen heading north, so that goes to show how unpredictable these wild animals can be! The tour wasn’t a total bust though, since there was plenty of other wildlife that we spotted along the way!

We got to see some Harbour Seals spending some time hauled out on the rocks of a small island, soaking in the sunshine. These charismatic marine mammals are well-adapted to their environment. Harbour seals spend most of their lives in coastal areas, including estuaries, bays, and rocky shorelines. They are excellent swimmers and divers, capable of holding their breath for up to 30 minutes and diving to great depths. Harbour seals are known for their distinct appearance with their sleek bodies, small heads, and adorable large eyes. They typically mate in late spring, and after a gestation period of about 10 months, the females give birth to a single pup. The bond between mother and pup is strong, with the mother nurturing and protecting her young until it is capable of swimming and foraging on its own. This takes a surprisingly short amount of time, with the mothers only nursing for 4-6 weeks. Harbour seals have a varied diet, feeding on fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.

We also got to see the larger of our local pinniped species: the Steller Sea Lion. These sea lions will also spend time along the rocky shorelines of the southern gulf island during the winter and spring, into early summer, and then they will migrate back to their breeding grounds up north. Steller Sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) exhibit an intriguing phenomenon known as sexual dimorphism, where males and females differ significantly in their physical characteristics. In this species, adult males are considerably larger and heavier than their female counterparts. Males can reach lengths of up to 11 feet and weigh around 2,800 pounds, making them one of the largest species of sea lions. Meanwhile, females tend to be smaller, measuring approximately 9 feet in length and weighing up to 800 pounds. This striking disparity in size is accompanied by distinct physical traits. Male Steller Sea lions possess a prominent lion-like mane that surrounds their neck and shoulders, giving them their common name and a regal appearance. Females, on the other hand, lack this characteristic and have a sleeker, more streamlined body shape. Sexual dimorphism in Steller Sea lions serves various biological purposes, such as competition for mates, territorial defence, and establishing social hierarchies. Viewing these large males during our tours is usually a highlight of the day. They should be migrating away soon, so we still count ourselves lucky when we are getting to view them.

Finally, we ended the tour at the Gabriola Bluffs, a huge sandstone cliff system that houses many species along its steep shores. There are lots of bird species that call this area home, and lots of them nesting in the area. We see Bald Eagles nesting along the trees here, as well as Cormorants flying in and out of the cliffs themselves to their nesting site. The waters in this area also draw birds in, as they dive below the surface in search of fish.

Overall it was a great exploration of the Salish Sea, and although there wasn’t any whales for the afternoon, we got to see plenty of other wildlife. All of the guests who joined this tour also received one of our Guaranteed Sightings Vouchers, meaning they will get to come out again for free to try again! These vouchers never expire and have no black out dates so you can join another tour whenever possible, even if that means years down the line! Hopefully everyone onboard won’t have to wait so long to come back out with us!

All the photos from this trip were taken by naturalist Aly Kohlman and can be viewed below!