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It was an amazing sunny day full of diverse wildlife!

We had two full zodiacs and our covered vessel, Marauder IV, all heading out in search of whales. On the way out past Discovery Island our zodiac, StrongTide, found an interesting flock of birds including Glaucous-Winged Gulls, Rhinoceros Auklets and other species. Birds gathering at sea are usually a sign of food, like schools of fish below the surface. Often we find marine mammals around these ‘bait balls’ so they are worth checking out.

Pigeon Guillemot
One of our many marine bird species, Pigeon Guillemots, photo by Captain Yves.

With no marine mammals at the bait ball, we carried on our search, heading north. As we turned past the Turn Point lighthouse we saw whale watch boats gathered just off Gowland Point. Reports were that there was a Humpback Whale in the area.

Megaptera novaeangliae
Humpback Whale lifting its flukes out of the water before a dive. Photo by Captain Yves, image taken with zoom lens and heavily cropped.

Humpback Whales can be unpredictable when they are not travelling. Diving down in one spot and popping up in another a few (or a hundred!) meters away. As StrongTide arrived on scene it was unclear where the whale would be surfacing. We waited a distance off to see where the whale would surface.

Humpback whale
Humpback whale coming up for air. Photo by Captain Yves, image taken with zoom lens and heavily cropped.

Low and behold the Humpback Whale surfaced. We saw its shiny dark back first, then the soft exhale. The fine mist hovered over the water’s surface before being blown away by the breeze. After watching the whale pop up in a few different directions we turned to head back for Victoria Harbour. Looking back to try and catch one last glimpse as we slowly departed.

Harbour Seals
Harbour Seals lounging on rocks at low tide. Photo by Captain Yves, image taken with zoom lens and heavily cropped.

Suddenly the whale surfaced one last time- just to the right and slightly in front of us. Not what we were expecting! It made for a great last look though; with the engines off we could hear the whale exhale before another dive.

Sea Otter
Harry the Sea Otter, Photo by Captain Yves, image taken with zoom lens and heavily cropped.

Our morning passengers were super lucky to see a large variety of wildlife including Harbour Seals, Sea Otters, Bald Eagles, and California Sea Lions.

Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle. Photo by Captain Yves, image taken with zoom lens and heavily cropped.

Book your tour today to see some of the amazing wildlife off the coast of Vancouver Island!

California Sea Lion
Male California Sea Lions are identifiable by their pronounced sagittal crest, the large bump on their forehead. Photo by Captain Yves, image taken with zoom lens and heavily cropped.
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