We left the dock with fingers crossed and eyes peeled as we headed South into the breathtaking Gulf Islands to begin our search. Our guests got to experience true West Coast weather, it couldn’t decide if it wanted to drizzle, pour rain or be warm and sunny! With the mix of sun and clouds treating us to some fantastic views inside Samsun Narrows, we continued South following a vague report from this morning, this was the general area they had been spotted in! It wasn’t until we entered the Saanich Inlet which is almost out of our range before our Captain spotted the familiar dorsal fin of T019B Galiano! Today they were on the move travelling at a good speed of around 5 knots, about 25 nautical miles away from where they were spotted this morning! The orca we spent time with were:

T019 Nootka ♀ (~1965)
T019B Galiano ♂ (1995)
T019C Spouter ♂ (2001)

The Saanich Inlet lies between the Saanich Peninsula and the Malahat Mountain range, connecting to the larger Haro Strait. Known for its lush forests and steep outcrops, these rocky shorelines are the perfect place to patrol for seals and sea lions. Our best guess as to what was on their agenda today was that they were looking for a bite to eat. At one point we watched as Nootka hugged the shore while Spouter stayed still at the surface. This behaviour could indicate he was listening to his surroundings. Could he hear a sleepy harbour seal tucked up near the rocks? They continued along the inlet which comes to a narrow end, perhaps using this geography as part of their potential hunting plan.

Transient orca are opportunistic hunters, and they’ve evolved unique techniques to hunt effectively. Unlike their resident counterparts that feed on fish, transient orca target marine mammals like seals, sea lions, porpoise, dolphins and even whales. Entering bays and shallow waters gives them a huge advantage in hunting. The shallow waters of bays provide a natural boundary, both for the orca and for their prey. While the orca may find it harder to chase fast-moving animals in the open ocean, the limited space in a bay reduces the prey’s escape routes, making them much more vulnerable. One of the most remarkable hunting behaviours of the transient orca is their ability to use the shore as a tool in their hunt. Orca have been observed working in pairs or groups to herd seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals towards the shoreline, where they are unable to escape into the open water. This tactic requires incredible coordination and intelligence, and orca are highly skilled at it. This shows the orcas' intelligence and adaptability. They are not limited to traditional hunting methods—they can effectively use the geography to their advantage. Studies have shown that transient orca, especially those that hunt in coastal areas, often have higher success rates when they work with the terrain rather than against it. Dead ends and narrow waterways, such as small coves or river mouths, are other key features that transient orca take advantage of during their hunts. Orca are known to use these features to herd their prey into corners or areas with restricted exits. For instance, a group of orca might herd a sea lion toward a small bay or into a narrow inlet. Once the prey is trapped in these areas, it has no choice but to swim in circles or attempt an escape that is impossible due to the limited options.

This hunting strategy is both highly effective and energy-efficient. Instead of chasing their prey across vast expanses of open water, orca take advantage of local geography to force their prey into smaller, more confined spaces where capture is almost guaranteed. This kind of intelligence in hunting, paired with a deep understanding of the environment, demonstrates why orca are apex predators, capable of altering their behaviour based on their surroundings. These behaviours showcase not only their intelligence but also their adaptability. In an ever-changing world, transient orca are a reminder that even the most skilled predators must continually evolve, using every tool at their disposal to stay at the top of the food chain. Whether it’s dead-end hunting or using the shore to their advantage, transient orca demonstrate just how far they’ll go to outsmart their prey.

Our tour not only got to see the T019s, but also a variety of other wildlife on the journey home. It started with the Harbour Seals, known for their playful nature and distinctive spotted coats. Today they were hauled out on the last of the rocks that were left uncovered by the rising tide. Given that they have limits to their movement, they are typically restricted to hauling out on the rocks that provide shallow slopes for them to galumph up, instead of the steep rocks that would more likely remain uncovered by the high tide. Here there was also some Oyster Catchers picking through the exposed shore with their striking orange beaks, and some cormorants drying their wings in what little sun was peaking through the clouds.

Finally, we stopped to see the two species of Sea Lion on the log booms in Northumberland Channel. The massive Steller sea lions (the largest sea lions in the world) and California sea lions entertained us with their noisy barking and grunting as they jostled each other on the logs. You never know what antics the sea lions might be up to as we watch their interaction from the water! We also got a glimpse of both the adults and juvenile Bald Eagles on the way, perched in a nearby tree and watching us as we sailed. back. It was an unforgettable day of animal encounters!

Please enjoy the photos below taken by Marine Naturalist Vanessa Vereschahen throughout the trip.

March 29, 2025 - A scenic trip through the beautiful Gulf Islands.