Today was a lucky day - we were able to see both species of whales we typically see on our trips on one tour! Usually, we are only able to find one kind (either humpbacks or orca) but every once in a while, when they are close enough together, we hit the whale jackpot.

Interestingly, our orca today were EXTRA close to our home port. Our first sighting of them was right near Departure Bay, roughly 15 minutes from our own dock! These 4 were busily hunting when we first approached. Once they had finished their meal, they turned around and started heading back out into the Strait of Georgia.

Our orca were ID’d as:

T037A Volker ♀ (1994)
T037A2 Inky ♂ (2009)
T037A3 Spinnaker ♂ (2013)
T037A4 Crinkle ♀ (2015)

The T037As is a pod we are very familiar with. Volker regularly brings (most of) her kids through our area. The only member we rarely see is T037A1 Inyo, her eldest daughter. Inyo tends to travel by herself or with other smaller groups. While we do not know for sure why Inyo dispersed from her family, it is likely she felt the family was getting a bit “too big” and she wanted some extra breathing room away from her rambunctious younger siblings.

After departing Volker and family, we headed on out and travelled north along Vancouver Island’s coastline. We spotted some large splashes in the distance - these splashes typically indicate that there are humpbacks nearby. As we approached we were able to locate two small groups of humpbacks, including a mother and calf pair and one solo humpback.

We ID’d these 3 as:

Strike (BCX1675), her 2023 calf, and MMX0355!

MMX0355 is a new arrival to our area. We had never documented them on a trip before this season. One of the ways you can tell they are new is because of their number. When a whale has been sighted numerous times it is given a BC(X/Y/Z) distinction. The MM(X/Y/Z) distinction is a temporary code used until the whale is officially added to catalogues.
Strike, on the other hand, is a known returner. Last year, Strike was spotted doing circles inside the Gulf islands just south of Yellowpoint for weeks. She always travelled very slowly and methodically, and she was spotted breathing laboriously a couple of times. Now we know she was pregnant during these encounters, which is likely why she seemed so tired! This spunky baby seems to be doing very well as it travels close to Strike’s side. It has grown considerably since we first saw it and we hope it continues to grow big and beautiful as the years continue!

Besides whales, we also spotted a pair of sassy River otters cruising through the tides today. Yes, they were in the ocean, not in a river. Yes, we know this seems silly. But it is important to know Sea otters are extirpated (locally extinct) from the Southeastern side of Vancouver Island - this means it is highly unlikely for you to see a Sea otter if you are travelling around our area. Sea otters have been reintroduced in select areas around the island and are beginning to grow in numbers, it will still take a while yet for us to be lucky enough to spot them around our area again.

We also spotted some sleepy Harbour seals up on the rocks. While rarely an active encounter, these adorable little critters are always a favourite to see as they snooze, snore, yawn, and grumble away as we watch them.

Photos by Marine Naturalists Aly Kohlman and Ella Hillbrecht.

August 28, 2023, 10:30 - A trio of Humpbacks and a feisty family of orca!

© Vancouver Island Whale Watch 2018-2024. All Rights Reserved.