Whale watching off the coast of Vancouver Island always promises excitement, but every trip has a story of its own. This time, we set off from Nanaimo with calm winds, a perfect backdrop for what was to come. As we powered up and ventured into the Strait of Georgia, the anticipation was palpable. Reports came in of whales near Qualicum Beach, and even though it was a long journey, the quiet hum of the boat and the gentle rocking of the ocean made it feel like a peaceful adventure.

As we cruised north, the first hint of excitement came when we spotted distant blows on the horizon. Whales! The glistening dorsal fins of orcas broke through the calm surface of the water, and further beyond, the towering spouts of humpbacks could be seen. We knew we were in for a treat.

The orcas we encountered were the T037As, a well-known family of transient orcas (or Bigg’s killer whales) frequently spotted around the waters of Vancouver Island.

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

As we drew closer, we noticed they were engaging in a bit of drama with a lone humpback whale, later identified as HW-MN0510765. It was incredible to witness—transients are known for their hunting skills, but seeing them interact with a massive humpback whale was something else entirely.

What was even more surprising was who led the charge. Crinkle, the youngest orca in the T037A family, seemed to be spearheading the action, much to our amazement. The small yet daring orca took charge of harassing the massive humpback, with the rest of the pod seeming to keep an eye on her from a distance. But after some time, Crinkle seemed to lose interest, and the humpback, likely grateful, slipped away from her grasp.

However, the orcas weren’t done with their antics. Shortly after, we noticed them focus their attention on a much smaller target: a Grebe. The orcas approached the bird with clear intent, not for food, but to play. The Grebe darted and dived, trying to escape the playful orcas, but the orcas, particularly Crinkle and Inky, seemed to enjoy the chase. They tossed the bird around, creating huge splashes with their tails, sending sprays of water high into the air. It was an exhilarating display of their raw power and precision. This kind of behaviour, though thrilling to watch, also reminded us of the orcas' playful yet predatory instincts.

As our time with the orcas drew to a close, we set our sights on a nearby Pinniped haul-out. The rocks were covered in a cacophony of Steller Sea Lions and harbor seals, lounging under the gentle autumn sun. The sheer size of the Steller Sea Lions always leaves an impression—they are the largest of their kind, and seeing them sprawled out, growling and shuffling over the rocky outcrop, was a spectacle in itself. Not too far from this commotion were Harbour Seals, slightly more reserved but equally fascinating to observe. It was a brief but delightful pause in our journey, reminding us of the diversity of life in these waters.

Next, we turned our attention back to the humpback whales. Soon enough, we spotted a pair swimming side by side—Windy (BCY0893) and Vanta (BCX1730). It’s always heartwarming to see these gentle giants travelling together, their huge flukes rising out of the water before disappearing again in a smooth, synchronized rhythm.

While two of our boats observed Windy and Vanta, another of our vessels encountered a lone humpback named Nova (BCY1178), whose distinct fluke pattern is easily recognizable. After leaving Windy and Vanta, our third boat stumbled upon something even more extraordinary: a trio of humpbacks travelling together. The whales, identified as Schooner (BCX1193calf2021), Pop Tart (BCY1014), and an unknown individual, were swimming in unison. Schooner, however, stood out the most, and for a bittersweet reason. Earlier in the year, Schooner had been struck by a ship, resulting in a serious injury that had severed part of his tail. Seeing him again, still recovering, was emotional for many on board. Though he was visibly healing, the sight of his injury reminded us of the dangers these creatures face in an increasingly busy ocean. Once we recognized Schooner, we left this group behind, careful not to disturb Schooner’s healing process.

Just when we thought the day couldn’t get any better, a final surprise awaited one of the boats. In the distance, yet another trio of humpbacks was spotted—Garibaldi (BCX0745), El Diablo (BCX0132), and Eros (BCX2201). What made this encounter so special was El Diablo herself. Estimated to be at least 31 years old, she is one of the first recorded humpbacks in this region. Her age and experience, paired with her striking fluke, made her an iconic sight for both seasoned whale watchers and newcomers alike.

Garibaldi and Eros, swimming alongside her, added to the majesty of the moment. Seeing these whales travel together was the perfect way to wrap up the day—a reminder of the complexity, history, and interconnectedness of these incredible marine mammals.

As the sun began its slow descent, casting a warm glow over the waters, all three boats made their way back to the harbour. It was one of those days where time seemed to stand still, each moment more breathtaking than the last. The encounters we had—from the playful orcas to the resilient humpbacks—left everyone onboard in awe of the natural world.

Our naturalists for the day, Cheyenne Brewster, Vanessa Vereschahen, and Aly Kohlman, did an incredible job documenting the journey with their cameras, capturing the essence of each interaction. Their stunning photos, now available for viewing below, offer a glimpse into the day.

October 6, 2024 - Humpback Harassment by the T037As

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