It was a beautiful day to be on the water and the early sighting of a large humpback whale was quite wonderful. The whale that was later identified as ‘Stripe’, was seen well in the distance initially but as we drew near, the stripe for which the whale can be readily identified was clearly visible on the fluke. The water was glassy and calm and the viewing of the whale was relaxing and very enjoyable. More diving birds were evident today and several times herring balls with birds gathered and feeding were observed. Twice during the tour Dall’s Porpoises suddenly appeared at the bow of the boat darting back and forth much to the delight of all onboard. On our way home a large number of Bald Eagles were observed fishing for herring and the viewing was quite spectacular especially when one eagle landed on the water surface and lay there briefly before getting airborne again. Other species also seen today: Harbour Seals, Pigeon Guillemots, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, White-winged Scoters, Belted Kingfishers, Bald Eagles ++ and an Eaglet in a nest.

Today was an absolutely fabulous day with a surprise humpback whale encounter. We headed out this morning as the weather cleared turning the sky to clear with the sunshine bright and warm upon our backs while in the distance the large blow of a humpback whale was sighted in the Queen Charlotte Strait. A cruise ship was also traveling in the Strait and by comparison to the whale it was moving very fast to the west and parallel to the whale who dove as it was being overtaken by the cruise ship. We waited some several minutes, the boat sitting idle and drifting when suddenly the humpback whale surfaced near the bow of the boat taking everyone by surprise. It was unbelievable and exciting for all who watched spellbound as it dove again leaving behind its huge ‘footprint’ on the water surface beside the boat. We sat idling in the current and observed as the whale, identified as ‘Stripe’, continued to feed. There were Bald Eagles++ fishing for herring who had gathered in a ball on the surface of the water trying to escape the numerous Rhinoceros Auklets who had helped drive them to the surface as they fed. We cruised through several tranquil island waterways viewing the scenic beauty when suddenly 6-8 Dall’s Porpoises joined us riding at our bow. It was exciting for all to watch as they darted and dived just below the water at the bow, splashing as they went. Other species also seen today: Harbour Seals, Pigeon Guillemots, White-winged Scoters, Belted Kingfishers, a Great Blue Heron, Harlequin Ducks and Black Oyster Catchers.

Today was another great day for viewing. Our first encounter was with a large Minke Whale who was feeding near Stubbs Island and several Dalls Porpoises who were feeding nearby in small groups. The blows of two Humpback Whales were sighted in the distance and as we drew closer the larger one was identified as ‘Stripe’ and the smaller one ‘Twister’. Stripe crossed over towards the Hanson Island shore in Blackfish Sound while Twister remained on the Swanson Island shoreline where they were observed feeding parallel to each other. Cruising home via the island waterways another Minke Whale was sighted making for a special day of viewing. Other species seen today: Harbour Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots, White-winged Scoters, Bald Eagles, Belted Kingfishers and a Great Blue Heron.

It was another lovely day for viewing Baleen whales in the area. Heading out this morning the sea was calm and the waterways quiet with a few sports boats out fishing. A large Minke Whale was sighted feeding near Stubbs Island and Dalls Porpoises were seen nearby in small groups also feeding. At one point a single Dall’s Porpoise joined us at the bow of the boat riding along for a short distance which was exciting to see for all onboard. A humpback whale was sighted in Johnstone Strait near Cracroft Point identified as ‘Twister’. The backdrop to the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve and the whale surfacing in the forefront with the lighting today was simply stunning. Other species sighted today: Harbour Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots, White-winged Scoters, Marbled Murrelets, Harlequin Ducks and Bald Eagles.

What a great day it was for sightings! Soon after leaving the dock and with everyone comfortable onboard the boat, several passengers suddenly started pointing excitedly and said they had sighted a whale believing it to be an orca. When the whale surfaced again the typical low arching back and small dorsal fin confirmed that it was a large Minke Whale. The Minke whale was feeding and passengers enjoyed this unexpected early sighting. Further on in the tour a large blow was observed in the distance in Blackfish Sound, it was later identified as a humpback whale named ‘Twister’. Passengers observed it feeding and also at times taking shallow dives and resting. Making our way back home via Blackfish Sound two other large humpback whales were encountered. It was brilliant viewing and made for a wonderful day. Also seen today: Harbour Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots and Bald Eagles.

It was calm and overcast when we headed out and while the visiblity was good for scanning for blows it was quiet on the water. Touring through the island waterways, Harbour Seals, Harbour Porpoises, Dall’s Porpoises, Rhinoceros Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots, Black Oyster Catchers and Bald Eagles ++ were sighted.

Shortly after leaving the dock this morning we were fortunate to see the blow of a humpback whale behind us in Pearse Passage and turning we headed in its direction. It was exciting to have sighted it so early in the tour and to see its blow ahead of us. It was taking shallow dives and the fluke was seen a few times only as it crossed over to and began traveling east along the Vancouver Island shoreline. Other species also seen today: Harbour Seals, Harbour Porpoises, Dall’s Porpoises, Rhinoceros Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots, Harlequin Ducks, Black Oyster Catchers, 3 Black Swifts, 1 Red-breasted Sapsucker and Bald Eagles ++.

It was another lovely day when we headed out this morning and it was early in our tour when the blow of a humpback whale was sighted in the distance. As we drew closer we observed it surfacing several times then watched as its large tail fluked and disappeared. We fully expected to see it surface again and yet it never did. The water was calm with good visibility and small groups of harbour porpoises were sighted feeding nearby. Bald eagles were observed swooping low over the water fishing and eagle nests were sighted with two nests having eaglets in them which is always a treat to see. On our way home, several small groups of dall’s porpoises were spread out feeding and suddenly a small group appeared at the bow of the boat and continued to ‘bow-ride’ as we traveled along. It was exciting and fun for all on board to share in their exuberance as they glided along just below the surface of the water and then dart forward splashing as they went. Other species also seen today: Harbour Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots and Belted Kingfishers.

Today was a really wonderful day for viewing. Early on in the tour this morning we were lucky to sight a large Minke whale feeding as we were crossing Weynton Passage. We stopped and our passengers enjoyed some superb viewing as it is not always easy to view these sometimes elusive mammals. A humpback whale was suddenly sighted nearby, it was also feeding in the flood tide and then shortly after a larger humpback whale was sighted entering Weynton Passage. As it drew closer, a much smaller whale was observed swimming beside its mother! It was very special when the mother and calf suddenly surprised us all and surfaced near the boat as we drifted in the current. Touring amongst tranquil island waterways on the way home, two eagle nests were sighted with each having an eaglet in the nest. Other species also seen today: Dall’s Porpoises, Harbour Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, Pelagic Cormorants, Ancient Murrelets, Pigeon Guillemots, Black Oyster Catchers and a mink swimming and then scurrying along a beach.

What a beautiful day it was to be out cruising and with overcast skies we headed out into seemingly quiet waters. Checking on an eagle’s nest that we had not visited since last fall it was reassuring to see a Bald Eagle sitting on the nest and several other Bald Eagles were sighted throughout the tour. The sighting of a single Pacific White-sided Dolphin in the distance soon revealed a large number of dolphins as we drew closer. They were well spread out and intent on feeding, all the while moving steadily west in the Queen Charlotte Strait. A black bear was sighted on a beach followed by the sighting of two humpback whales, a mother and her calf. Harbour Seals, Rhinoceros Auklets, a Harbour Porpoise, Pelagic Cormorants and Ancient Murrelets were also seen. The sun was shining brightly and the sky was blue as we made our way back, cruising through the island waterways.

It was a great day for cruising the waters of Blackfish Sound and Johnstone Strait. Early in the tour the blow of a humpback whale was sighted in the distance and we headed in that direction. The whale provided some good viewing as it dove to feed and resurfaced many times nearby. It was evident today that more birds had arrived to feed with several groups of Rhinoceros Auklets sighted. Bald Eagles were numerous in flight with two observed sitting on their nests, white-winged scoters and pelagic cormorants were also seen.

It was a calm and lovely day to be out on the water and our sightings today included Dall's Porpoises, a mink running along the shoreline, several bald eagles including a nesting pair with very good viewing of an eagle sitting on its nest, pigeon guillemots, belted kingfishers and white-winged scoters.

Summer 2010

Yesterday was our first tour of the season and it was a wonderful beginning with a blue sky and the sun shining brightly; it was good to feel the warmth on our backs and to see the brightness of the day after all of the heavy rain and clouds of recent days.

Our first sighting was of two Pacific White-sided Dolphins, a mother and her calf and shortly after a whale was sighted and on closer observation it was identified as a Minke Whale. A pair of bald eagles were seen with one sitting on top of its very large nest and then a black bear was observed foraging slowly along a beach and stopping periodically to turn over boulders as it went. Other species sighted were: Dalls porpoises, harbour seals, numerous bald eagles, pigeon guillemots, common loons and belted kingfishers.