Magnificent Whale Watching

July 22, 2010

Wow, what a magnificent day of whale watching yet again! Our day began with the Orca Spirit heading out to investigate reports of orcas on the southern end of San Juan Island. After a search, orcas were encountered near Salmon Bank. It was L-pod and J-pod making their way north. The Pacific Explorer arrived on scene and encountered the leaders, J-pod, near False Bay. We quickly identified the characteristic dorsal fins of Granny (J2) and Ruffles (J1) among a large group of orcas in somewhat of a resting pattern. As we headed back towards Victoria, we had a wonderful visit with the gray whale off the Victoria golf club.

For the afternoon tour, both the Pacific Explorer and the Orca Spirit headed over to San Juan Island. There we encountered L-pod transiting south. It would prove to be another truly memorable experience as we noticed a minke whale travelling at high speed with the orcas! We had an excellent encounter with Nyssa (L84) and several orcas before stopping to view the gray whale. All in all, it was an excellent adventure on the Salish Sea.

Our evening trip had both our covered vessels going out to view orcas in Haro Strait, where we met up with some L-pod whales near Eagle Point. This incredible trip was one of the most astounding orca experiences that the crew aboard both our vessels have had, and as a result our guests too! We spent the encounter viewing a small group of foraging whales when we noticed a mother and calf off the stern of the Pacific Explorer. We watched spellbound, as the mother orca carried a salmon on its nose, with its calf swimming alongside her! Neither myself (naturalist Corey) or the other naturalists have seen this behavior before. After the orcas swam by the Pacific Explorer. guests aboard the Orca Spirit were also able to witness the amazing dynamic between the mother and calf orca and saw the mother pass the salmon to its calf, where the calf subsequently ate it!