On the final tour of 2024, we departed Nanaimo Harbour under cloudy skies, heading into the Strait of Georgia to see what wildlife the day would bring. The trip did not disappoint, offering a series of incredible sightings that highlight the rich biodiversity of our coastal waters.

Early in our trip, near Breakwater Island, we spotted two distinctive whale blows. We headed over to find a pair of humpback whales feeding in the area. One of the whales was identified as Olympus (BCX2075), a well-documented female known to frequent these waters. She was lifting her tail high out of the water with each dive, letting us see the scars and patterns on the underside of her tail that she is known for. The other whale remains unidentified, as it wasn’t lifting it’s tail and we haven’t been able to match the dorsal fin in any in our catalogs yet. Both of these whales were likely focused on building up fat reserves in preparation for their long migration to breeding grounds in Hawaii or Mexico.

After leaving Olympus and her unknown companion to their feeding, our journey continued south towards Porlier Pass, where the waters seemed alive with activity. We spotted multiple blows—what we affectionately call "humpback soup." Selecting a pair to follow, we identified them as Squirrel (BCX2183) and Chandelle (BCX2140). These two were busily feeding along the Valdes Island shoreline, lifting their tails into the air before going under the water for a few minutes, chasing down their prey of either krill or small schooling fish. As we watched these two, more blows were visible on the horizon, so we eventually left them to it to see if we could catch up with any other whales in the area.

But before we could find more whales, we stopped at Canoe Islet, where Steller sea lions had gathered in large numbers. Their loud vocalizations and movements made for an engaging spectacle. These impressive marine mammals, with their large, tan bodies, are a regular sight in the area and always draw attention from wildlife enthusiasts. The entire shoreline of the Islet was covered in them today, making it a major highlight of the trip.

In the distance, more blows signaled yet another humpback sighting. These whales were more active, treating us to dramatic tail slaps. It was Sirius (BCX1736) and Cinder (BCX1749) travelling together. This is the first time that either of these humpbacks have been spotted during one of our tours, leading to lots of excitement amongst the staff. They really make a splash on their first appearance! In the distance, we caught a glimpse of Sage (BCX2073), whose distinct tail made identification possible even at a distance. These encounters served as a poignant reminder that soon these whales would embark on their long journey to warmer waters in Hawaii or Mexico, leaving us for the spring before we will start to see them again, usually around the end of April.

As the day wound down, our final stop brought us face-to-face with a pair of bald eagles perched on the nearby log booms. Although a common sight during our tours for most of the year, it’s still a breathtaking sight anytime we get to watch them!

With the sun setting behind the mountains, we returned to Nanaimo Harbour, reflecting on the incredible diversity we had witnessed. The presence of humpback whales, sea lions, and eagles underscores the importance of protecting this vibrant ecosystem, ensuring future generations can experience these moments.

As we wrap up 2024, we look forward to more opportunities to explore, learn, and share the wonders of our coastal environment in the coming year. Please enjoy all the photos of the tour taken by the onboard Marine Naturalist Vanessa Vereschahen!

December 8, 2024 - One final visit to Humpback Land in 2024