September 11, 2024, 10:30 am - Transient Orcas and Playful Humpbacks

Our morning trip was off to an exhilarating start with a report of a pod of Transient Orcas heading south through Dodd Narrows, just a short distance from Nanaimo. Without missing a beat, we set course in that direction, eager to encounter these powerful predators. When we arrived, we were treated to an incredible sight—two groups of orcas socializing as they travelled: the T023s and the T060 brothers.

T023 Janice ♀ (≤1964)
T023D Axle ♀ (1993)
T023D3 Robin ♂ (2012)
T023D4 Sixx (2015)
T023D5 (2019)

T60D Onca ♂ (2004)
T60E Lynx ♂ (2008)

Watching these apex predators interact was a rare and awe-inspiring experience. We got to see them associating closely, sometimes very closely, to the point that we thought they were likely in contact under the surface. There was lots of rolling at the surface, and we thought there might be some “practice” going on with the three males since it was them who were mostly doing the close interactions. We also got a glimpse of a “sea snake” which can be quite common during these types of interactions! They continued their journey south through the Southern Gulf Islands, and after spending an hour with them, we bid them farewell, allowing them to carry on with their socializing.

Next, we ventured out through Porlier Pass into the Strait of Georgia, where we encountered two humpback whales, Split Fluke (BCX1068) and Geometry (BCZ0338), travelling together. Initially, the pair appeared to be resting, with their slow, calm movements indicating they were in a sleep state. However, the tranquillity didn’t last long. As if awakening with a burst of energy, both whales began breaching, chin slapping, and using their massive pectoral fins to slap the water's surface. This display of acrobatics was nothing short of spectacular, a true testament to the playful and social nature of these gentle giants. Our time with them flew by, and after an hour of awe, we reluctantly left them.

Before returning to Nanaimo, we made a quick stop at Stinky Rocks, where the familiar sight of Steller Sea Lions hauled out on the rocks greeted us. It was a perfect end to a day filled with incredible marine wildlife sightings.

As we headed back to Nanaimo, the thrill of the day's encounters lingered, and we couldn't help but feel lucky to witness the amazing wildlife that calls these waters home. The onboard Marine Naturalists Cheyenne Brewster and Vanessa Vereschehen captured some amazing photos during the tour which can be viewed below!

T023D3 Robin and T060E Lynx surfacing together. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.

T023D4 Sixx breaking the surface. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.

T023D Axle surfacing in the calm water. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.

T023D4 Sixx in front of his youngest sibling, T023D5. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.

T023D4 Sixx and T023D5. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.

T023D5, T023D Axle, and T023D4 Sixx surfacing together. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.

The boys having fun at the surface. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.

T060D Onca, T060E Lynx, and T023D3 Robin close together. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.

T023 Janice. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

T060E Lynx with his eye out of the water. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

T060E Lynx Surfacing in front of T023D3 Robin. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

T023D5 surfacing wth (likely) their mother, T023D Axle. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

T060E Lynx (back) and T023D3 Robin surfacing together. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

T060D Onca surfacing in the calm water with semi-covered boat Kula in the background. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

T060E Lynx and T023D3 Robin in the spray from their blows. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

A great look at T023D3 Robin’s saddle patch. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

T023D3 Robin. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

T060E Lynx. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

A gull with some leftovers in it’s mouth. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

T023D3 Robin surfacing in the calm waters. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

Split Fluke chin slapping. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.

A big wind up from Split Fluke for a chin slap. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.

Geometry (left) and Split Fluke (right) double breaching! Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.

Same double breach, from a different angle! Geometry on the left, Split Fluke on the right. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

Geometry breaching. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.

Split Fluke chin slapping. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.

Geometry with his pectoral fin lifted. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.

Split Fluke and Geometry with their pectoral fins in the air. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.

These photos are a great example of how great zoom lenses are! From this distance the boat got the next photo!

Whale Watchers on our open boat Cascadia with Geometry breaching in the background. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.

Geometry breaching. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

The underside of Geometry’s tail flukes. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

The downside of a zoom lens: Geometry slapping his pectoral fin with Split Fluke behind him. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

Geometry surfacing in front of the splash from Split Fluke’s chin slap. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

Split Fluke chin slapping with Geometry diving, just behind. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

Geometry breaching. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

Split Fluke doing a back dive. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

All the pectoral fins in the air! Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

Split Fluke breaching. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

Split Fluke and Geometry with their pectoral fins in the air! Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

Steller Sea Lions on Stinky Rocks. Photo by Cheyenne Brewster.

Steller Sea Lions hauled out on Stinky Rocks. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

Steller Sea Lions watching from the water behind the Harbour Seals hauled out on the rocks. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.

A river otter made an appearance. Photo Vanessa Vereschahen.