The seas were calm and the sun was shining - we couldn’t have asked for better weather compared to the cold snap we’ve been dealing with for the past two weeks!

When we pushed off the dock on our semi-covered vessel Kula we were eager to begin the search. Today’s trip took us south through the Southern Gulf Islands. We crossed Dodd Narrows, a small and important waterline just outside of the city, and continued southbound until we got to Porlier Pass. Here we had a quick stop to see several sea lions swimming and porpoising in the currents of the pass. They were likely chasing after fish as these narrow passageways are the equivalent to a natural “fast food stop” - lots of prey come flushing through a tiny area, making it easier to hunt and catch a meal.

After watching the sea lions in action, we crossed the pass into the expansive Strait of Georgia. We made another brief stop at the Canoe Islets, a small cluster of rocky islands just beyond Porlier Pass. The unmistakable scent of sea lions greeted us—an aroma you never forget once experienced! Despite the strong smell, we had a fantastic view of these charismatic creatures as they lounged, grumbled, stretched, and soaked up the sun.

With the open sea calling, we turned our attention northeastward, scanning the horizon as we crossed the Strait of Georgia. Since none of our whales wear tags or trackers, every trip is a fresh adventure, and we never know exactly what we’ll find!

As we crossed, we were able to spot a couple of elusive porpoises darting through the water. These nimble animals are often tricky to observe, disappearing just as quickly as they appear - which is exactly what they did today! As we continued northbound, word came in about a possible sighting near Gabriola Island’s shoreline. Without hesitation, we adjusted course and headed in that direction, eyes peeled for any signs of whale activity.

Approaching Entrance Island, we caught sight of them—whale blows popping into the air, followed by the unmistakable silhouette of a towering male dorsal fin slicing through the water. Our cameras clicked as we moved into position, beginning an essential part of our work: identifying the whales we have encountered. This step is critical because our region is home to two distinct ecotypes of orca—the Transient (Bigg’s) orca, which prey on marine mammals and have a growing population, and the Southern Resident orca, which primarily feed on fish and are sadly critically endangered. By closely examining the male’s fin shape and saddle patch, we confirmed that we were with K Pod, or members of the critically endangered Southern Resident population. After documenting our sighting, we respectfully left them to continue foraging along Nanaimo’s coastline, as we do not watch the Southern Resident population.

After departing Snake Island we cruised over and along the Gabriola Bluffs, a magnificent sandstone cliffside. From here we popped over to the Harmac pulp mill to see our other kind of sea lions - the California sea lions! They were also basking in the sun’s warmth, happily napping the hours away.

While we didn’t find the whales we were hoping for, our day at sea was nothing short of spectacular. Our guests were treated to stunning island scenery, playful marine mammals, and a glimpse of the diverse wildlife that calls these waters home. All guests received complimentary vouchers to join us on another trip—because every day on the water holds a new adventure!

Please enjoy these photos of the trip below!

February 14, 2025 - A sunny Valentine's Day adventure in the Salish Sea