The fog was thick as our three boats prepared to leave Nanaimo Harbour. The harbour was shrouded in mist, the world around us blurred in soft greys as we navigated through the quiet. Foggy days can make navigation more difficult, but they often bring a gift: exceptionally calm waters. Today was no different, and the stillness was almost magical as we pushed slowly out into the Strait of Georgia, confident that the fog bank was only a thin layer over the beauty that awaited beyond.

As predicted, the fog gradually lifted as we entered the open waters, revealing the Strait in all its glory. The sky was clear and blue, the sea shimmering, and the air fresh with the scent of saltwater. This is what the Strait is known for—its tranquillity, combined with the thriving marine life that calls these waters home. We had barely passed Halibut Bank, a region known for its productivity and nutrient-rich waters when the first blow was spotted.

The first sighting was particularly exciting. It was a young humpback whale, Helen (BCX1710calf2022), born in 2022. She was lazily swimming through the waters of Halibut Bank, her blows soft and gentle against the calm sea. Humpback whales are frequent visitors to the Strait of Georgia, and it’s a joy to track their growth and behaviour over time. Helen seemed in no hurry, a relaxed traveller in these abundant waters.

While one of our boats stayed with Helen, the other two ventured farther out, where more whale blows had been spotted. The Strait was alive with activity today.

As we continued on, the second group of whales appeared—three humpbacks traveling together: Zorro (BCX0380), Ghost (BCX1333) and Meqé (BCZ0492). These three were moving steadily through the water, not lingering long beneath the surface. Humpbacks often form loose groups like this. Sometimes these associations last hours, sometimes days, depending on their feeding or traveling needs.

While observing the trio, one of our boats noticed a set of blows in the distance. It turned out to be two familiar whales, Snoopy (BCY0770) and Kelpie (BCY1276), travelling together. They were on an intersecting course with our boat, so we decided to switch groups and spend a little time with them. Snoopy and Kelpie surfaced a few times near the boat, giving us a thrilling close-up of their sleek bodies cutting through the water, before we returned to the trio.

In the meantime, Meqe had veered off, leaving Ghost and Zorro to continue their journey together. It’s not unusual for whales to part ways like this—associations between whales can be short-lived.

As we watched Ghost and Zorro, another sight caught the eye of one of our boats: a distant blow, accompanied by the unmistakable sight of a calf. It was Anvil (BCZ0410) and her calf, affectionately nicknamed "Rubber Duckie." There’s nothing quite like seeing a mother whale with her calf. As we approached, Anvil put on a display that none of us could have anticipated—a massive cartwheel just behind the boat, showcasing her sheer power. Her calf stayed close, learning the ways of the ocean from her very capable mother.

While one boat stayed with Anvil and Rubber Duckie, the other two boats had a chance encounter with a whale that was new to us. We named this whale Octo (BCX1920), and after some time watching Octo swim through the strait, we spotted something else in the distance—whales breaching! We quickly made our way over to find two more humpbacks, Sherwina (BCY0961) and Dalmatian (BCY0994), slapping their massive pectoral fins against the water in a playful display.

There’s something mesmerizing about seeing these whales engage in such active behavior. It reminds us just how powerful and playful these marine giants can be. All three boats got to spend time watching Sherwina and Dalmatian before we headed towards one final destination for the day.

After our time with the whales, we made our way to Stinky Rock, a well-known haul-out spot for Steller Sea Lions and Harbour Seals. As we approached, the cacophony of growling sea lions grew louder. Dozens of Steller Sea Lions basked on the rocky outcroppings, their bulky forms lounging in the autumn sun. Harbour Seals dotted the lower rocks, lazing in the midday warmth. It’s always a fascinating stop, watching these creatures go about their day, completely unfazed by our presence.

Our final stop before heading back to Nanaimo was Harmac, where we found a group of California Sea Lions resting on the log booms. This area is a popular resting spot for them, since they have returned for the salmon run and this spot is very close to a smorgasbord for them: Dodd Narrows. This narrow area has lots of current, but it also funnels the fish into one spot that the sea lions will take advantage of and are often seen hunting there before returning to rest on the logs.

Every day on the Strait of Georgia is different, but one thing is certain: it’s a place of wonder. Whether it’s whales, sea lions, or the breathtaking natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, the waters around Nanaimo hold something special for every visitor. Please enjoy all of the amazing photos below captured by the Marine Naturalists onboard the trip: Desarae Poier, Val Watson, and Vanessa Vereschahen.

September 24, 2024 - Foggy Days on the Strait of Georgia

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