What a glorious day it was today and also one of the very best days of the season for viewing Humpback Whales; it was also a special day in which we were able to view the Resident Orca and Matriline, A12. It was a typical fall day, sunny and calm with a cool nip in the air, the kind of day that we look forward to especially out in the Queen Charlotte Strait where we headed to this morning. An orca had been reported heading west at the Sophia Islands identified as A12, she was travelling alone, there was no sign of the A34’s (her daughter and her off-spring) or the A36’s. En route to viewing A12 we travelled into Weynton Passage where seabirds appeared to be everywhere feeding in a frenzy hovering over and around herring balls. A Humpback Whale was sighted near the Plumper Islands and from a distance we could observe it moving back and forth with considerable speed. As we drew closer, herring could be seen on the water surface moving, a sea of shimmering silver and suddenly the Humpback Whale appeared in the middle lunge feeding as it surfaced surprising everyone on board, it was phenomenal viewing! We headed into Blackfish Sound sighting two more Humpback Whales in the distance, one at Parsons Light and the other at Flower Island and soon, A12 was also sighted, she was making her way slowly to the west. It was so good seeing her yet we had to wonder why she was alone without her family or the three brothers, the A36’s with whom she has been in the company of so much this summer. We watched her pass, a solitary yet graceful orca, swimming strongly, allowing the ebb current to also push her westbound towards Lizard Point. Five more Humpback Whales were sighted in the vicinity of Bold Head, it seemed that everywhere we looked a Humpback Whale could be seen surfacing or diving, backs arched and flukes high. The activity was intense with some tail lobbing, pectoral fin waving and slapping and lunge feeding. One Humpback Whale could also be heard trumpeting as it fed, the viewing was superb especially when one suddenly changed direction and headed towards the boat allowing all to glimpse it briefly under the water as it passed by. It was a magical day where the viewings were exceptional, the Coast Range Mountains made a beautiful backdrop to a calm blue ocean that was seemingly brimming with sea-life. Other species also seen: Dalls Porpoises, Stellar Sea Lions+++, Harbour Seals, Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes++, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Surf Scoters, Pelagic Cormorants, Belted Kingfishers, Great Blue Herons, Sooty Shearwaters, California and Mew, Glaucous-winged & Herring Gulls.

It was another beautiful day to be out on the water and now that we are drawing towards the end of September in the final week, the magic still continues with an abundance of marine-life and beauty to inspire us all. Early in the tour this morning numerous Harbour Seals were sighted, they were well camouflaged where they lay along shorelines, hauled out in protected island waterways, as well, numerous Stellar Sea Lions +++ were also hauled out and made for some wonderful photography. A Humpback Whale blow was sighted in the distance in Blackfish Sound and we headed in that direction. As it turned out there were four Humpback Whales working the area in the Sound, they were well spread out moving back and forth intent on working though herring balls where seabirds were actively feeding. The viewing was superb with some tail-breaching, lunging and breaching activity being observed. One Humpback whale was seen with Stellar Sea Lions all around it interacting and the whale could be heard trumpeting as it fed. There were another four Humpback Whales reported sighted off Bold Head today making it a wonderful day for viewing Humpback Whales indeed! Other species also seen: Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes++, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Surf Scoters, Pelagic Cormorants, Belted Kingfishers, Great Blue Herons, California, Mew, Glaucous-winged & Herring Gulls.

What an extraordinary day it was out in the Queen Charlotte Strait and Blackfish Sound waterways where we headed to this morning on our tour. There were no reports of any orca sightings or reports of them being sighted throughout the tour but as the day unfolded and more Humpback Whales were sighted, everybody on board were thrilled and satisfied with their viewings. It was incredible to sit back and look at the visual beauty seen today with the coastal range mountains creating a beautiful backdrop, glorious sunshine and Humpback Whale blows, one after another observed in every direction, it was astonishing! There were at least eight Humpback Whales sighted, possibly nine or more, some were seen nearby others a distance away but their seemingly effortless surfacing and diving sequences were stunning to watch especially for those who had never before sighted a whale of any kind. Freckles, Slash and Chunky were among those sighted today. There was herring ball activity with seabirds feeding in a frenzy including Sooty Shearwaters who are still passing through the area and who are feeding veraciously on herring before heading further south, migrating to islands off New Zealand, Australia and South America. They could be found where the Auklets and Murres were diving while feeding and driving herring to the surface collectively in 'balls' while Humpback Whales could be seen heading for and surfacing in the middle of these 'balls', as well, one Humpback was standing on its head tail breaching again and again, another Humpback Whale was observed flick-feeding (creating a wave of herring through which it was feeding) while another spontaneously breached, it was quite literally fantastic viewing throughout the entire tour. Other species seen: Stellar Sea Lions hauled out and swimming ++, Harbour Seals, Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes++, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Surf Scoters, Pelagic Cormorants, Belted Kingfishers, California, Mew, Glaucous-winged & Herring Gulls and ribbons of migrating birds strung-out across the skyline, too far away to identify. Fall is a magical time to be out on the water viewing the diverse and ever-changing marine life.

It was a truly amazing day, one reminiscent of typical fall weather; a blue calm sea and sky where the visibility is crisp and clear and one can see for miles, out behind Malcolm Island in the Queen Charlotte Strait. As always, the whale watching boats of the North Island whale watching community share information regarding sightings and so it was this morning, when orcas were first sighted off Donegal Head, we headed in that direction observing as we travelled, a Humpback Whale blow in the opposite direction in Blackfish Sound. The orcas, the A36 brothers and A12 were spread out foraging, A46 was over towards the Foster Islands in the company of a single Pacific White-sided Dolphin, A32 was foraging back and forth closest to Donegal Head but making his way towards Lizard Point where A12 was also making her way to while A37 was ahead of her. The viewings were wonderful and the backdrop of the coastal range mountains were superb. Other orcas were suddenly sighted close to the Foster Islands and as we drew closer they were identified as the A34’s travelling in three small groups, the Matriline A34 with A55 and A80 and her two daughters A62 & A67 with their off-spring. It was very exciting to see them when earlier there had been no sign of them at all. The bird life was fabulous to see today, there were still some Sooty Shearwaters present feeding near herring ball activity along with Murres and Auklets, as well, 9 Swans and 5 Sandhill Cranes flying south, 9 Surf Scoters flying with a single Red-breasted Merganser in its formation and later, on our return, another 16 Sandhill Cranes were sighted migrating south as well. There were four Humpback Whales sighted in Blackfish Sound, it was wonderful to see their blows and arching backs as they disappeared from sight and exciting to see them surfacing nearby. While Stellar Sea Lions were numerous+++hauled out, there were many sighted swimming a distance from land and on our way home, a Minke Whale was also sighted nearby. Other species seen: Harbour Seals, Dalls Porpoises, Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes++, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Surf Scoters, Pelagic Cormorants, California, Mew, Glaucous-winged & Herring Gulls.

It was a wonderful day for viewing Orcas and Humpback Whales with an early sighting of orcas not long after departing Alder Bay this morning. It was exciting to see their dorsal fins and blows ahead of us, spread out across the Strait; a sight made more beautiful with the sun shinning bright behind them. We identified the orcas as the A12’s (A34’s + A12) and the three A36 brothers, all of whom were foraging to the west as far as the Bauza Islets, where a brief turn was observed back to the east and then movement towards Weynton Passage with the ebb current. A12 was foraging near A37 while A46 at one point was foraging with A55, A80, A67 and her calf, and A32 was foraging furtherest to the east before turning back to join the others; there was a lot of socializing observed between the groups. It was extremely interesting to watch as four orcas (A12 and the A36’s) suddenly appeared grouped together and began travelling through Lulu Island Pass (outer passage in the Plumper Islands) while the A34’s carried on through Weynton Passage. Once out in Blackfish Sound A12 and the A36’s continued to forage, as did the A34’s but further out in the Queen Charlotte Strait. With Humpback Whale blows being sighted in the distance in Blackfish Sound and off Bold Head we headed towards Bold Head where it seemed that in all directions, Humpback Whale blows and activity could be seen as their large flukes and arching dark backs could be seen disappearing from sight. It was difficult to keep track of their numbers but there were possibly eight in the area. As we watched a large group of seabirds feeding in a frenzy over a herring ball, a whale made its way quickly towards it and then with a scattering of birds it was seen in the middle lunge feeding. It was simply amazing to see so much marine mammal and seabird activity all in the relatively small area in which we were today and this included seeing some Sooty Shearwaters who were still in the area today, feeding along with the Auklets and Murres. Other species seen: Stellar Sea Lions ++++, Harbour Seals, Dalls Porpoises, Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Surf Scoters, Pelagic Cormorants, California, Mew, Glaucous-winged & Herring Gulls and many unidentified birds migrating south.

What a contrast was today’s weather from yesterday’s storm, a calm sea and only a few sprinkles of rain just as our tour was ending. There were no report of any orca sightings this morning when we set out. We began our tour by cruising through Weynton Passage viewing hauled out Harbour Seals and shortly after Stellar Sea Lions +++, who were also hauled out on rocky outcrops while many were in the water swimming. With fog patches drifting across Blackfish Sound and the Queen Charlotte Strait from the Mainland, the Humpback Whale sightings were quite wonderful and the lighting made even more spectacular due in part to the fog and brilliant sunshine that suddenly appeared. The number of Humpback Whales that we sighted were seven, possibly eight including one that has been named ‘Freckles’. They were spread out across the Strait and top end of Blackfish Sound and once the current turned to flood the seabird activity working the herring balls and helping to bring the herring to the surface, took on another meaning as we watched the Humpback Whales surfacing through the herring nearby; it was exciting viewing with some lunging activity being observed. It was interesting to see that a large number of Sooty Shearwaters were still in the area today feeding on herring, they are on their migratory route flying south to their nesting burrows on islands off New Zealand, Australia and South America. Other species seen today: Dalls Porpoises, Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Surf Scoters, Pelagic Cormorants, California, Mew, Glaucous-winged & Herring Gulls and many unidentified birds migrating south.

Today was another day of exciting encounters with Orcas and Humpback Whales. The A30’s were foraging to the west in Johnstone Strait and were nearing Kaikash Beach when we first sighted them, A39 was in the lead and as we watched, they turned and began making their way towards Blackney Passage and were soon all off the entrance, foraging back and forth. Even though se winds were strong and there was wave action, the viewing was good and the orcas were highly visible. Leaving the area we made our way into Blackfish Sound and it was off Bold Head that more orcas could be seen which came as a wonderful surprise for all on board. The orcas were travelling to the east quickly and were identified as being the A36 and A12 pods, they were in a hurry, racing to meet up with the A30’s! Herring balls with seabird activity was seen in the distance in the Queen Charlotte Strait and two younger Humpback Whales could be seen working the area, one was identified as being Freckles, another larger Humpback Whale was also sighted in the distance. We cruised home via the scenic island waterways where passengers enjoyed viewing hauled out Harbour Seals and Stellar Sea Lions+++, several Sea Lions were also seen swimming and hauled out as well in Blackfish Sound. Other species seen today: Dalls Porpoises, Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Belted Kingfishers, Surf Scoters, Pelagic Cormorants, California, Mew, Glaucous-winged & Herring Gulls and one ribbon of migrating birds flying south, too high in the sky to be identified.

Today was another magical day spent touring some very special waterways that are constantly active with seabird and marine mammal activity. While it was not so warm today with a heavy cloud cover present, the beauty of this majestic coastal region was awe-inspiring, beginning with our first encounter of two orcas identified as two of the A36 brothers, A32 and A37 travelling together past Cracroft Point and through the flood current at Blackney Passage. They were followed by their younger brother A46 who was busy foraging while A12 had slipped on by and was seen foraging close against the Hanson Island shore. Her daughter, the Matriline A34 and her offspring were observed resting briefly off Cracroft Point in a back-eddy, they were altogether in their resting mode but when entering the current in Blackney Passage, A62 and her two calves had separated from the rest and were a distance apart briefly before regrouping. It was wonderful observing the family dynamics of the A34’s. While the orcas were being observed a large group of Pacific White-sided Dolphins were also active and feeding nearby, spread across Johnstone Strait. We headed up into Blackfish Sound passing Stellar Sea Lions also en route through the Sound, and sighting a Humpback Whale in the distance we headed in that direction. It was feeding around birds active in the area, Auklets and Murres and also the migrating Sooty Shearwaters. At the top end of the Sound another Humpback Whale was sighted feeding; always fascinating to watch is the grace and ease at which they dive and surface. The Stellar Sea Lions were interesting to watch, intriguing with their sheer size and numbers and very easy to photograph as they lay hauled out and some were also swimming. Other species seen today: Dalls Porpoises, Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Belted Kingfishers, Blue Herons, Surf Scoters, Pelagic Cormorants california, Mew, Glaucous-winged & Herring Gulls and several ribbons of migrating birds flying south, too high in the sky to be identified.

What a remarkable and very exciting day of action packed viewing that continued throughout the tour, as well, gorgeous warm weather. Before departing on tour this morning there were reports of orcas close-by, both Resident and Transient groups and so we and our passengers were excited. As it turned out both groups of orcas had turned back, the Transients from the vicinity of the Pearse Islands, and the Residents travelling east in Johnstone Strait away from the Stephenson Islands (the A30’s, A36’s & A12’s) where the Transients (marine mammal hunters) were observed hunting in Weynton Passage around the Stephenson Islands where numerous Harbour Seals were hauled out. Watching the Transient Orcas moving quickly, taking long dives and surfacing some distance away, weaving their way stealthily amongst the kelp forests around the islands and reefs made for some intense viewing and while we did not see any splashing, we are sure that a seal had been taken when all 5 orcas (three females and two calves) came together at the surface after a long dive and gulls could be seen feeding above them. Next seen were some 90+ Stellar Sea Lions hauled out and many others were seen swimming in the water throughout the area, shortly after a Humpback Whale was sighted, Freckles as it is locally known. As we stopped to watch, three more were seen nearby and one was observed tail slapping numerous times. Seabirds could be seen everywhere; the Sooty Shearwaters were coming into land in large numbers wherever herring balls were being worked on by the Auklets and Murres. At this point some Resident orcas were foraging, moving to the west in Blackfish Sound, the groups that had earlier been reported in Johnstone Strait so it was quite a treat that before heading for home, passengers also had some wonderful viewing of A12 and the A36 brothers. A12 was observed foraging with A32 and A37 was the orca that surfaced near to the boat after a long dive surprising all on board. It was back at the Pearse Reefs that another Humpback Whale was sighted feeding on a herring ball bringing the total Humpback Whale count to five and just as we were nearing Alder Bay on our return, a large Minke Whale was sighted nearby. What more could we ask for! Also seen today were: Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Belted Kingfishers, Blue Herons, California, Mew, Glaucous-winged & Herring Gulls.

From the moment we leave the dock and begin our tour each day we never know what lies ahead and what our viewings will show and yet, it never ceases to amaze, there is always something to see and to be excited at seeing! Today’s tour was no exception, it was incredible the number of sightings of birds and marine mammals all within a relatively small area and space of time. Seeing the Sooty Searwaters in flight in large numbers peaked our interest, to think that they are on their way migrating south to their remote nesting islands off New Zealand, Australia and South America! And then, high in the sky a ribbon of migrating geese could be seen who were later confirmed as White-fronted Geese. Stellar Sea Lions hauled out in large numbers were sighted followed by a Humpback Whale who, in the distance could be seen doing headstands and slapping its tail on the surface of the water with force a multiple of times, even as we neared the area! Stellar Sea Lions were also in the water nearby watching the display curiously just as we were and as we were departing we were fortunate to see it breach, its entire body being projected fully out of the water with speed and force as only a Humpback Whale can do. This Humpback Whale was identified as one that we have seen frequently this summer and is locally known as Freckles. Everywhere we looked in the distance Humpback Whales could be sighted and during the tour we had good sightings of at least six individual whales, while two others were reported further to the west and another in Johnstone Strait bringing the count to at least nine, possibly ten in the area today. Just as we began making our way homeward, two Transient Orcas (marine mammal feeders) were reported travelling in Blackfish Sound and luckily for us, we were nearby. The orcas were glimpsed a few times in the distance but were lost from sight when a small cruise ship headed quickly east in the Sound. With our vessel in neutral we waited for the orcas to surface and when they did they could be easily identified as T20 a large male transient orca travelling with his mother T21. It was wonderful to see these orcas nearby, to see their size and form and the speed at which they travel as within a few short minutes they were already a fair distance away. It was brilliant viewing and totally unexpected, just as the sightings of Transient Orcas always are. Also seen were today were: Harbour Seals, Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Belted Kingfishers, California, Mew, Glaucous-winged & Herring Gulls.

It was an amazing day to be out on the water despite the morning’s wind and waves that quickly abated; rain and beautiful rainbows, it turned out to be one of the best days of the season! As we headed out this morning there was indeed wind and waves but soon there were also orcas and the wind and waves had disappeared. While the I15’s were in the area it was the I4’s that we first encountered travelling along the Hanson Island shoreline, they were stopping to forage along the way and were taking long dives in the presence of a small group of Pacific White-sided Dolphins. They continued moving to the west, heading into Weynton Passage where they began to forage while the I16’s were sighted further behind in a resting line, excluding I43 who was foraging further behind them. The viewing was wonderful and enjoyed by all as they too began to forage in Weynton Passage. On the afternoon tour, shortly after leaving the dock in Alert Bay two Humpback Whales were sighted in Pearse Passage and soon after, a large male orca was sighted off the Pearse Islands. He was identified as I62 the son of I33 one of the Matrilines of the I31’s. Following him was the rest of his family, his mother I33, his older bother I45 and younger sibling I110. Several Pacific White-sided Dolphins were swimming amongst them and they were taking long dives but suddenly the fun began as I33, I45 and I110 were seen literally frolicking with the dolphins. It was simply amazing to watch orcas and dolphins being airborne simultaneously and this interaction continued for several minutes! Suddenly, I62 was sighted porpoising rapidly back towards his family; the images were striking and wonderful! As suddenly as it had begun it was over and the I33’s were sighted grouped together travelling east in Cormorant Channel and the dolphins had departed. Later, the two Humpback Whales who had been sighted earlier on in the tour were seen returning into Weynton Passage and the viewing of them was quite spectacular as they suddenly surfaced nearby the boat in the presence of yet another beautiful rainbow. And just when it could not get any better, a Bald Eagle was seen drying its wings tinged by the colors of an encircling rainbow. It was truly an amazing day of viewing. Also seen were today were: Stellar Sea Lions, Dalls Porpoise, Harbour Seals, Sooty Shearwaters++, Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres & Belted Kingfishers.

It was a day of total relaxation out on the water and a wonderful way to spend the Labour Day holiday. There were no reported orca sightings when we set out this morning but we were not deterred, the area is one of ever present scenic beauty that is always changing. Observing hauled out Harbour Seals, passengers could see that the mothers and their pups were well camouflaged and blended in with the rocks and kelp on which they rested. Several Dalls Porpoises were sighted ‘rooster tailing’ in Weynton Passage and the Stellar Sea Lions were wonderful to watch, some 90 + hauled out while others were seen swimming nearby. Just as we were about to head into the Queen Charlotte Strait the fluke of a large Humpback Whale was sighted slipping beneath the water. In great anticipation and excitement, we all waited for it to surface again. As it turned out there were two very large Humpback Whales together and when they surfaced again, it was observed that they had turned back towards Weynton Passage and could be seen lying on the surface of the water resting. It was fabulous to see them so relaxed and the lighting was spectacular making the viewing all the more exquisite. Leaving the whales we cruised slowly through numerous scenic waterways; travelling in these quiet and less travelled waters it is always a treat. It is here where the kelp forests flourish and today was no exception, their visual beauty was breathtaking as they lay spread out, golden and gleaming in the slack current. Belted Kingfishers could be seen and heard darting back and forth, trilling as they flew and Harlequin Ducks could also be seen. It was indeed a very special day of viewing.

It was a mixed bag of weather that we had our share of today whilst on tour, beginning with rain showers and rainbows and ending with brilliant and warming sunshine. We headed out through Pearse Passage this morning and were soon in the company of a small group of Pacific White-sided Dolphins who briefly rode at the bow of the boat before turning back to feed. We carried on to view the Stellar Sea Lions who are always interesting to observe. A large number were hauled out while others were in transit swimming. Scanning towards Bold Head a large blow was sighted and soon the familiar shape and form of a Humpback Whale was seen disappearing from sight. As we neared the area numerous herring balls were being worked on by Auklets and Murres with gulls galore feeding in a frenzy. We watched as the Humpback Whale made its way directly to one of the herring balls and diving deep it disappeared for several minutes reappearing in the middle of the herring ball only seconds after all of the birds had scattered. We scanned for orcas in all directions and with no reported sightings from other boats, we continued to spend our time viewing the Humpback Whale. Another Humpback Whale was sighted just off Bold Head, it was identified as the whale that is locally known as Freckles. The lighting was quite spectacular and as it swam by the rock with its glistening kelp forest suddenly another Humpback Whale surfaced beside it, bringing the total Humpback Whale count to three. We believe the first whale sighted earlier on in the morning was the same whale that we encountered later on in our tour. It was a very relaxing day, made all the more wonderful by the ever changing seascape and exquisite lighting that left everyone in a good sense of peace and awe. Other species seen today were: Harbour Seals, Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Belted Kingfishers, Harlequin Ducks, California, Mew, Glaucous-winged & Herring Gulls.

Todays tour has to be one of the best of the season for viewing Humpback Whales! When we headed out this morning the orcas who had headed to the east very early in the morning on September 3 had still not returned and so we headed towards Bold Head where several Humpback Whales had been sighted. It turned out to be exceptional viewing of four Humpback Whales (including those locally called ‘Slash’ and ‘Freckles’) off Bold Head and two others who were sighted further west in Queen Charlotte Strait. With strong SE winds blowing it was perfect for sailing using our stay sail and made for a very comfortable cruise. Not long after arriving off Bold Head everyone was delighted to see some breaching activity with a total of 5 breaches close by, some breaches were also seen off into the distance. It was absolutely fantastic to see the full form of an adult Humpback Whale emerging spontaneously from the water, being airborne and suspended momentarily, twisting and then diving back down with a huge displacement of water and disappearing from sight all within seconds. It made for some very exciting and riveting viewing amid squeals of joy and wonder from those onboard. We toured home via scenic waterways enjoying gentler waters where kelp forests sparkled, Kingfishers trilled and the sunlight lingered. While on our way home this afternoon “the Cliff” reported sighting orcas mid Strait off the Boat Bay camp, heading west. Other species seen today were: Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Belted Kingfishers, Harlequin Ducks, California, Glaucous-winged & Herring Gulls.

Today was a wonderfully relaxing day for viewing orcas in Johnstone Strait. When we headed out later this morning the A36’s and A12’s were reported as passing by ‘the Cliff ‘ and as we neared the area, the A36’s and A12 were foraging in the flood current at Blackney Passage, moving slowly west while the A34’s were nearing Cracroft Point. The A36’s and A12 were well spread out moving mid-Strait while the A34’s who had rested briefly at the bottom end of Hanson Island began moving close along the Hanson Island shoreline. A34 had been sighted by herself crossing Blackney Passage and then later, she was seen travelling and foraging in the company of her son A55. A small group of Pacific White-sided Dophins were observed swimming among the orcas all of our viewing time with them. Leaving the area to cruise through the Island waterways we were joined by some 20+ Dalls Porpoises, several of whom were riding at the bow of the boat while others were “rooster tailing” alongside of and behind us as we travelled along. Passengers enjoyed their playful interaction with amazement, watching as they darted quickly back and forth at the bow with ease. This is the largest group of Porpoises that we have seen in a long while. As always the Stellar Sea Lions were fascinating to watch and photograph, while many were hauled out, many more were in the water swimming, some were curious and made their way over to the boat as it drifted in the flood current. The lighting in Weynton Passage was exquisite, silvery blue and shimmering as we passed through on our way home. Other species seen today were: Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Belted Kingfishers, Harlequin Ducks, 12 Oystercatchers, Mew, California, Glaucous-winged & Herring Gulls.

It was quite the tour today and as it turned out, it was a most enjoyable one. It was the furtherest that we have travelled all summer to see orcas but the day was a beautiful one and Johnstone Strait was as clear as a bell with barely a breathe of wind. We made our way past the Stephenson Islands viewing hauled out Harbour Seals and further on, 90 + Stellar Sea Lions; others were seen swimming in the water nearby as we travelled in Blackfish Sound. En route to viewing the Orcas who were travelling well east of the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve, a Minke Whale was sighted in the distance and Dalls Porpoises were also seen. The Orcas were sighted in the distance at Forward Bay and as we neared the area, they were seen to be all spread out across Johnstone Strait travelling very slowly to the east, some resting and foraging behaviour was observed. For everyone on board it was wonderful viewing, the A36 brothers ( A46, A32 and A37) were seen travelling with some of the I15’s, we also saw some of the I31’s who were closest to the West Cracroft Island shore and who appeared to be behind the rest of the pods, foraging as they went. It was a great surprise to everyone and presented some delightful viewing when two calves appeared suddenly behind our boat as it sat idle and passed nearby as they raced to catch up with their pod. Johnstone Strait was a soft colour of blue that stretched on into the distance and the various orcas who were spread right across, from shore to shore depicted a beautiful and lasting image for all onboard. It was a relaxing cruise home and some watchful passengers also sighted a Black Bear foraging on a beach. Other species seen today were: Dall’s Porpoises, Harbour Seals, Bald Eagles, Red-necked Phalaropes, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Great Blue Herons, Belted Kingfishers, Pigeon Guillemots, Harlequin Ducks, California, Glaucous-winged & Herring Gulls.