It was an amazing day for viewing with orcas sighted early in the tour having travelled in past Donegal Head where they had first been reported. We encountered them nearing Bold Head where they had slowed their pace and identified them as the A30 matriline with 12 orcas in total. The matriarch A30 was in the lead with her oldest surviving son A38, behind them and closer to the Swanson shoreline were her daughters A50 and A54 with their calves, including the new calf and further behind was A39 (A30’s other live son) who was observed foraging off on his own. With our engine off and our hydrophone deployed it was wonderful listening to their lovely A-Clan vocalizations. Passengers watched in amazement as A39 made his way past our stern as we sat drifting in the current and could not believe seeing him swimming under water and surfacing nearby. Some resting activity was observed and a spyhop from the new calf, and they all began making their way east in Blackfish Sound. Three humpback whales were also nearby, two of them foraging along the Swanson Island shoreline. Other sightings today included: dall’s porpoises, harbour seals, stellar sea lions, rhinoceros auklets, common murre, red-necked phalaropes, california, mew and glaucous-winged gulls, black turn stones and bald eagles.

While at the dock in Alder Bay this morning passengers enjoyed watching as a river otter walked along the walkway prior to diving into the water, it was a wonderful encounter for those who had never seen an otter before and especially one so close! We began our tour by making our way towards Weynton Passage when orcas were reported to be heading to the west abeam the Sophia Islands in Johnstone Strait and as we drew near we could see them moving very slowly, they were resting and taking long dives and as we drifted in the current with our engine off, at one point when they surfaced we could see that they had turned back to the east, grouped together. The orcas were identified as the A36 brothers: A37 & A46 and the All’s small group: All, A56 & A97, the same resident orcas that have been in the area for the past few days. Other sightings today included: dall’s porpoises, a single pacific white-sided dolphin, a stellar sea lion, harbour seals, rhinoceros auklets, common murre, red-necked phalaropes++, california, mew and glaucous-winged gulls, bald eagles and oyster catchers.

As we made our way over to the Alder Bay Resort this morning a herring ball was sighted and numerous seabirds were also feeding upon it including bald eagles (mature and juveniles) who could be seen swooping down and grasping several herring in their talons, some eating on the fly before diving again to catch more, it was an amazing spectacle to watch en route. With orcas being reported travelling west in the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve as we were leaving we headed in that direction and soon had a small group of dall’s porpoises riding at the bow of the boat for a distance and everyone enjoyed their encounter with them, watching as they darted back and forth. We soon met up with the A36 Matriline: the brothers A37 & A46 who were foraging a distance from shore but following the Vancouver Island shoreline while the small group of A11 Matriline: A11, A56 and A97 were sighted opposite, making their way along the Cracroft Island shoreline; these were the same two pods that we had sighted yesterday and with our hydrophone deployed passengers were able to listen to some wonderful A-Clan vocals. We crossed over, making our way towards Cracroft Point, where the A11’s were observed to be resting nearby, the A36’s continued to forage mid-Strait and two humpback whales could be seen working their way back and forth in the heavy flood current. The viewing was spectacular and listening to the blows of humpbacks and orcas and their A-Clan calls via the hydrophone it was acoustically amazing! Where to look and in what direction, the sights and sounds of cetaceans feeding, dall’s porpoises included, was truly remarkable! We began heading back to the west along the Hanson Island shoreline, passing A46 & A37 along the way both we observed were foraging intensely having moved further west while the A11’s had woken up and were foraging closer to Blackney Passage when we left them. A third humpback whale was sighted feeding deeper into Blackney Passage and a forth was sighted near the Plumper Islands as we crossed Weynton Passage. Other sightings today included: hauled out harbour seals, rhinoceros auklets, common murre, red-necked phalaropes, pigeon guillemots, california, mew and glaucous-winged gulls, bald eagles and belted kingfishers.

The fog was lifting when we left the dock this morning and made our way towards Donegal Head which as we approached we could see was obscured by heavy fog. Two resident orcas, assumed to be the A36 brothers, A37 & A46 had been reported foraging at Lizard Point by sports fisherman earlier but were suddenly sighted travelling in the fog off Donegal Head moving steadily to the east. We caught up to them just as they were breaking out of the fog at Bold Head and could clearly see that they were the brothers and they were swimming parallel some 200 meters apart making good headway in the flood current. Passengers suddenly pointed out three more orcas breaking out of the fog ahead of and some distance separated from the brothers. As we watched, they took a deep dive and when they resurfaced they were altogether in a beautiful resting line of five orcas, their pace had slowed and their synchronized surfacing and diving was breathtaking to watch. It was sheer beauty to watch as the brothers swam in unison with them, relaxed and seemingly so apart of the small group of the A11 matriline (A11, her youngest daughter A56 and her off-spring A97). As they made their way slowly to the east along the Hanson Island shore, the fog line was clearing and added to the beauty and majesty of the day. Meanwhile a humpback whale was sighted across on the Swanson Island shore opposite in Blackfish Sound and as we drew nearer, a second humpback whale was also observed, both were making their way west towards Bold Head. Always exciting to see was the dive sequence that humpback whales make with their flukes raised high when diving. Homeward bound we encountered two more humpback whales feeding in Weynton Passage, it was a fabulous ending to a brilliant day of viewing cetaceans in the area. Other sightings today included: dall’s porpoises, stellar sea lions, harbour seals, rhinoceros auklets, common murre, red-necked phalaropes, california, mew and glaucous-winged gulls, bald eagles and an eaglet in the nest and belted kingfishers.

A magical day spent viewing two humpback whales, both were in the vicinity of Weynton Passage and the Plumper Islands. It was fabulous to watch as they made their way back and forth in the fast flowing flood current, feeding through herring balls and amongst numerous rhinoceros auklets and common murres who were also feeding on herring. While the Queen Charlotte Strait was engulfed in a heavy fog this morning the picturesque and quiet waters of the Plumper Islands were not and it was wonderful to cruise through exploring their beauty at a slower pace, passing keen kayakers along the way. Other sightings today included: dall’s porpoises, stellar sea lions, harbour seals hauled out and swimming in the water, red-necked phalaropes, california, mew and glaucous-winged gulls, bald eagles and an eaglet in the nest, belted kingfishers, harlequin ducks and oyster catchers. Other notes: Bigg’s (Transient) orcas, the same groups who have been in the area the past few days (T75B’s & T77’s) were reported travelling west past Lizard Point late in the morning, continuing on to Malcolm Point.

Our sightings today were wonderful! From our first sighting of a minke whale shortly after leaving the dock in Alder Bay this morning to our last sighting of a minke whale just as we were docking back into Alder Bay while homeward bound this afternoon! After viewing the minke whale we began heading to the east and soon sighted the blow of a humpback whale near to Weynton Island, it was foraging back and forth close along the shoreline, dall’s porpoises were seen ‘rooster-tailing’ around it while some also joined us riding at the bow of the boat briefly. Once into Blackfish Sound we made our way towards Bold Head sighting a humpback whale followed by a second whale in the distance. The fog lying low along the BC mainland inlets, with the sun shining bright, had cleared to the west leaving the sky blue and the water also sparkling blue; the day was indeed a gorgeous one unfolding as the boat drifted idly and we all sat mesmerized, watching the two humpback whales as they fed back and forth, surfacing and diving, at times close to the boat. Heading back, a humpback whale was sighted near to Stubbs Island and stellar sea lions were swimming in the water. The quiet island waterways were picturesque with numerous harbour seals hauled out on rocky outcrops and flowing kelp forests sparkled in the sunlight. Other sightings today included: rhinoceros auklets++, common murre, red-necked phalaropes, california, mew and glaucous-winged gulls, bald eagles and two eaglets in separate nests, oyster catchers and black turnstones. Other notes: The same Bigg's (Transient) orcas that we sighted yesterday, the T75B’s(75B/75B1)& T77’s (T77, T77B,T77C & T77D) were east bound in Broughton Strait this evening, going past Alert Bay and the Alder Bay Resort around 5.00 p.m.

When we left the dock this morning we did so in a heavy fog that stayed with us until we entered into Blackfish Sound where the visibility was so much better enabling us to sight some orcas believed to be Bigg’s (Transient) orcas as they made their way to the west. Travelling in two groups they were identified as the T75B’s(75B/75B1)& T77’s(T77, T77B,T77C & T77D). These same orcas were sighted north of Campbell River yesterday. They were moving along steadily at 7 knots and we left them as they neared Lizard Point and just ahead of an approaching fog bank. Turning homeward passengers enjoyed viewing some stellar sea lions who were relaxed and swimming amongst bull kelp while in Pearse Passage we were surprised and excited to find a humpback whale feeding and then a minke whale who was seen foraging close along the shoreline of Cormorant Island. Other sightings today included: dall’s porpoises, rhinoceros auklets, common murre, red-necked phalaropes, california, mew and glaucous-winged gulls, bald eagles and belted kingfishers.

It was an amazing day of viewing! En route to Alder Bay this morning passengers onboard sighted a minke whale as it crossed our path and when departing from Alder Bay it was sighted in the far distance making its way towards the Nimpkish River. While at the dock in Alder Bay passengers were delighted to watch a mother river otter and her two kits on the walkway prior to them diving into the water. As we made our way towards the Plumper Islands where a humpback whale had been sighted, a small group of dall’s porpoises joined us bow-riding briefly before darting off to feed nearby, we also viewed hauled out harbour seals and stellar sea lions who were swimming close to shore. The humpback whale was making its way very slowly along the rocky shoreline feeding and passing through kelp forests as we all watched spell-bound, intimate and magical moments shared! We observed two more humpback whales foraging near Parsons Light in Blackfish Sound where large groups of rhinoceros auklets and gulls were feeding as well. Other sightings today included: common murre, red-necked phalaropes, california, mew and glaucous-winged gulls, bald eagles and belted kingfishers.

NW winds were blowing when we set off this morning with our mail sail hoisted and headed in the direction of the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve where two of the northern resident orcas, the A36 brothers, A37 & A46 were sighted making their way back from the east in Johnstone Strait. The sighting from the Cliff reported them having moved close into the estuary of the Tsitika River where they were foraging but with the sea being lumpy and the orcas well inside the Reserve Boundary, viewing of them was very difficult and we made our way instead into Blackfish Sound to view a humpback whale that had been sighted near Parsons Light. We found the whale feeding in the Bay along with large gatherings of rhinoceros auklets and gulls feeding, the gulls hovering over herring balls gathered on the surface of the water due to the underwater hard workings of the auklets. We observed the whale passing back and forth mostly where the birds were feeding and then began making its way out of Parsons Bay, a second humpback surfaced making its way east in Blackfish Sound and even as we travelled further west, two more humpback whales were sighted in the distance. Other sightings today included: dall’s porpoises, harbour seals hauled out and swimming in the water, common murre, red-necked phalaropes, belted kingfishers, black turnstones, black oyster catchers, california, mew and glaucous-winged gulls.

It was truly an inspiring and exciting day! With early reports of orcas’ sighted off Bold Head travelling to the east in Blackfish Sound, and also off Donegal Head it was somewhat conflicting if they were the same orcas or two separate groups? We travelled in Johnstone Strait via Weynton Passage and the Stephenson Islands, sighting numerous harbour seals hauled out as the tide was dropping quickly and the ebb current racing! Bigg’s (Transient) orcas had entered Johnstone Strait at Blackney Passage heading across the Strait before turning back to the west towards us. The Transient orcas were travelling west at a rapid pace, T065A, a 26 year old female with three calves aged 1, 5 and 8 years old. T065A2 was observed travelling alongside T065A3 and breached four times, following its mother and youngest sibling T065A4. We left the orcas at Weynton Passage, travelling into Blackfish Sound where we were fortunate to sight two resident orcas making their way east in Blackfish Sound off Bold Head. They were the A36 brothers, A37 and A46, with A46 making his way close along the Swanson Island shoreline while his brother was swimming parallel, some 400 meters away. Other sightings today included: dall’s porpoises, rhinoceros auklets++, common murre, red-necked phalaropes, california, mew and glaucous -winged gulls.

Heading out this morning we made our way towards Blackfish Sound via the Plumper Islands. The blow of a humpback whale was sighted near to Flower Island and as we drew closer, we could see that it was foraging in close along the Swanson Island shoreline heading west towards Bold Head where it turned and travelled back to the east continuing to forage close along the shoreline. Near West Passage a herring ball was sighted and as we watched, the whale surfaced in the midst of it, lunge feeding. Numerous rhinoceros auklets were in the near vicinity today, feeding alongside of common murre while large flocks of red-necked phalaropes were also sighted nearby, an increase into the area from yesterday. The whale was identified as Cangor and a second humpback whale was sighted feeding down in Blackney Passage. On the way home a small group of dall’s porpoises joined us riding at the bow briefly delighting all on board. Other sightings included: harbour seals in the water and hauled out, mothers and their pups, california, mew and glaucous-winged gulls, pelagic cormorants, oyster catchers, bald eagles and an eaglet in the nest. Other reports today: Three groups of Bigg’s (Transient) orcas were well to the east in Johnstone Strait, as were the A36 resident orcas, the brothers A46 & A37.

We quickly made our way out into Blackfish Sound, at one point we were accompanied by 8-10 bow riding dall’s porpoises and passing a humpback whale while en route on the fast flowing ebb current we were soon in sight of resident orcas. They were the A36 brothers: A37 & A46 and they too made good headway on the ebb current, travelling parallel to each other, 100 meters apart. The brothers were taking the same route as they had done so yesterday, making their way out towards the Penfold Islets. We turned back and caught up with a humpback whale foraging near Bold Head and enjoyed our viewing while watching large numbers of rhinoceros auklets and common murres who had gathered and were also feeding nearby. Travelling home via the picturesque calm waterways of the Plumper Islands, the kelp forests, hauled out harbour seals, (mothers and their pups), bald eagles and their nests, black oyster catchers, belted kingfishers and black turnstones, all added to the natural vibrant beauty of the day. While homeward bound to Alert Bay, a minke whale crossed our path surprising all onboard. It was an amazing day enjoyed by all! Other sightings included: marbled murrelets, california, mew and glaucous -winged gulls.

Soon after leaving the dock in Alder Bay this morning a Minke Whale was sighted foraging close along the Vancouver Island shoreline. Passengers enjoyed several good sightings of the whale and also observed small fish schooling together in a bait ball on the surface of the water that the whale seemed unaware of and with no diving birds in sight to feed on them, in time they dove and disappeared from sight. The gorgeous weather continued today with sunshine, clear blue skies and blue water reflecting back at us with a beautiful backdrop of the BC Coast Range Mountains when we headed out into the Queen Charlotte Strait on the ebb current making our way towards the two resident orcas that we had sighted yesterday, the brothers A37 and A46 from the A36 Matriline. They were making their way steadily on the ebb current over to Lizard Point and beyond, separate at times and then close together they were observed foraging. At the time that we had our hydrophone deployed they did not vocalize, they were very relaxed and as we watched, they turned and commenced travelling back to the east with the current that had turned to flood. Other sightings included: bow-riding dall’s porpoises, black-tailed deer on the shore, rhinoceros auklets, common murres, harbour seals, california, mew and glaucous -winged gulls. A large group of Bigg’s (Transient) orcas were reported later in the day in Johnstone Strait, 18 in total, all of whom at 3:30 p.m. this afternoon could be seen making their way past Alert Bay in two groups of 6 and 12 orcas. They were identified by Jared as the T100's, T101's, T90's, T 86A's & T36A's.

An amazing day with the sun becoming very bright and warming this afternoon. This morning we cruised through the Pearse Islands and Stephenson Islands in Weynton Passage exploring as we went, appreciating all of it: the harbour seals hauled out on rocky outcrops, bald eagles and their nests and bull kelp forests floating on the surface of the water as we passed by in the current. With our mainsail hoisted we headed down Johnstone Strait with a light NW wind blowing from behind and encountered resident orcas, the two A36 brothers, A37 and A46 near the Sophia Islands. They were foraging a distance apart, both having left the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve just ahead of our arrival. We had some nice viewing of A46 who crossed towards the Cracroft Shore and then crossed back over, making his way towards the Vancouver Island shore. A37 meanwhile was foraging more towards the centre of the Strait. The arrival of the brothers in Johnstone Strait and viewing them today was wonderful! Other sightings included: dall’s porpoises, rhinoceros auklets, pigeon guillemots, california, mew and glaucous -winged gulls and oyster catchers.

Today shortly after leaving the dock we could see many diving birds off in the distance feeding on a herring ball and hoping that we might encounter a minke whale nearby we set off to investigate. We were fortunate coming upon a minke whale as it foraged and as we sat idle in the water watching, at one point it turned and made its way towards us allowing us some viewing of its head and we could also clearly see its two blowholes. Later, travelling in Cormorant Channel we noticed a large gathering of gulls and rhinoceros auklets and soon, a frenzy as the birds began working the area and a herring ball appeared. More birds began arriving while in the distance a humpback whale suddenly appeared, it making its way towards the birds and startling everyone on board when it began lunge feeding in the midst of the feeding frenzy of birds nearby. The viewing was exciting and spectacular for those onboard who had never witnessed lunge feeding before. Three other humpback whales were in the vicinity today, all of them foraging in the heavy flood current. Other sightings included: dall’s porpoises, harbour seals in the water fishing and also hauled out, rhinoceros auklets+++, california, mew and glaucous -winged gulls, oyster catchers, white-winged scoters, red-necked phalaropes, belted kingfishers, an eaglet in the nest and bald eagles++.

It was another extremely beautiful day to be out on the water, warm and sunny throughout the tour. Soon after leaving the dock in Alder Bay we stopped to watch a feeding frenzy of gulls and bald eagles feeding at the surface on a herring ball, the eagles could be seen flying off carrying herring in their talons while rhinoceros auklets and pigeon guillemots were diving deftly under the water resurfacing often with herring in their beaks. A Humpback whale was reported being near to Bold Head and heading in that direction it was not long before a blow was sighted and soon we could see that there were three humpback whales in the near vicinity, all of them were feeding in wide circles in separate directions foraging intently. Looking down through the clear water we could easily observe that plankton was very thick in the water and at times glimpse sight of small schooling fish amongst it. The water was calm and the viewing relaxed, with everyone enjoying the sights and sounds surrounding them. Travelling home via the island waterways is always a treat and today was no exception, the current was flooding in Weynton Passage and a myriad of birds could be seen feeding on bait balls while a small group of dall’s porpoises rode along beside us briefly at the bow of the boat. Other sightings included: harbour seals, a stellar sea lion, marbled murrelets, cassin’s auklets, california, mew and glaucous-winged gulls, oyster catchers, harlequin ducks, belted kingfishers and bald eagles.

Leaving later on tour today we had a fabulous outing this afternoon sailing in Blackfish Sound with a humpback whale. We sighted the whale nearing Bold Head, it having travelled to the west in Blackfish Sound where it turned and began making its way back to the east. Sailing across from Donegal Head we continued sailing in the Sound, observing the whale as it foraged along the Swanson shoreline prior to diving deep, fluking as it did so and just as we were leaving the area a second humpback whale was sighted further to the east near Parsons Light. We made our way home via island waterways enjoying immense natural beauty: glittering bull kelp forests streaming out above and below the water, hauled out harbour seals (mothers and their pups) two eaglets sitting high up in their separate nests, numerous mature bald eagles, a stellar sea lion and small family groups of dall’s porpoises that we observed feeding. The backdrop of brilliant blue waters framed by the snow capped Coast Range Mountains was magnificant! Other sightings included: rhinoceros and cassin’s auklets, california, mew and glaucous -winged gulls, oyster catchers, a humming bird and black turn stones.

The sun was shinning and we could not have asked for a lovelier day to cruise among the islands. A humpback whale had been reported in the vicinity of Bold Head and we observed its “blow” in the distance several times before it disappeared from sight meanwhile a large group of pacific white-sided dolphins 100-200++, could be seen foraging in all directions in the top end of Blackfish Sound and out into the Queen Charlotte Strait. Some were leaping clear of the water, most being intent on feeding while a few curious ones rode at the bow of the boat briefly as we travelled along. When the blow of a humpback whale was sighted near to Stubbs Island we made our way in its direction, we could not be sure if it was the same humpback whale that we had sighted earlier as the whale was also taking long dives but later as it neared the Plumper Island having passed through Weynton Passage, the viewing was easier and closer and we all enjoyed some nice viewing of its fluke when it disappeared taking a deep dive. We cruised through the Plumper Islands taking in the sights and sounds that the narrow waterways provided, vivid in colour and contrast, with kelp forests glistening above and from below the water, bald eagles high on the tree tops and eaglets in their nests, harbour seals (mothers and their pups) hauled out on rocky outcrops resting; all of it was breathtaking and marvellous! Other sightings included: dalls porpoises, two stellar sea lions (one swimming and the other hauled out), rhinoceros and cassin’s auklets, mew gulls, red-necked phalaropes, two eaglets in separate nests, black oyster catchers, a mink running up a rocky outcrop, belted kingfishers and black turnstones.

This morning while on tour we made our way into Blackfish Sound where a humpback whale had been reported being earlier and we sighted its blow down by Parsons light. As we drew closer we observed that it was surfacing briefly between long dives. It began swimming along the Swanson shoreline and headed directly towards a herring ball, surfacing among the auklets and gulls who were also feeding. We enjoyed some good viewing before making our way further west towards Bold Head, sighting another humpback whale in the middle between Bold Head and Donegal Head. As we watched, the cloud cover disappeared and the warm sun began shinning bright. Other sightings included: pacific white-sided dolphins, harbour seals, dalls porpoises, rhinoceros and cassin’s auklets, california and mew gulls, red-neck phalaropes, an eaglet in a nest and other bald eagles.

It was a fabulous day of viewing despite the fog that cleared quickly in Johnstone Strait. We encountered resident orcas this morning as they travelled to the west along the Vancouver Island shore near Kaikash, they were spread out, moving slowly and resting against the flood current. Passengers onboard had some exciting viewing of the A23’s/A61 and A35’s. In particular, A61 (from the A25 Matriline) was identified swimming alongside A77 (from the A35 Matriline), as well A70 and her calf were also nearby. We observed some foraging activity and at one point A77 suddenly appeared cruising alongside the boat under water and looking down some passengers watched it chasing salmon. As they foraged and we listened on the hydrophone, their A-Clan calls and ecolocation could be heard. We cruised through the Plumper Islands and into Blackfish Sound where 100 ++ pacific white-sided dolphins were sighted, they were well spread out in all directions intent on feeding and it was wonderful watching them up close and from a distance. Other sightings included: harbour seals, rhinoceros and cassin’s auklets, harlequin ducks, california and mew gulls, black oyster catchers, belted kingfishers and bald eagles.

It was another sunny day on the North Island and an especially beautiful day on the water. This morning we headed east in Johnstone Strait as orcas had been reported in the strait earlier in the morning before we had left on tour. They were the same resident orcas (the A5 pods) who had arrived yesterday. Having travelled west initially the orcas turned back and we met up with the A23 Matriline just as they had stopped to mill around the east end of the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve and commenced travelling west again to the delight of our passengers onboard. A60 was in the lead most of the time, he was foraging a distance from the shoreline that his sister A43 followed close to, along with her calves A69 and A95. They were travelling at a fair speed and were soon past the western reserve boundary. Throughout our viewing, the orcas were in the company of a group of pacific white-sided dolphins who were playful and interacting and at times mobbing the orcas as they tend to do whilst in the company of resident orcas. Other sightings included: dalls porpoises, rhinoceros and cassin’s auklets, common murres, mew gulls and bald eagles.

It was an amazing day for viewing cetaceans in the area. Beginning early in the tour we had several sightings of small groups of dall’s porpoises feeding nearby and when Bigg’s (Transient) orcas were reported to be travelling to the west in Johnstone Strait we headed in that direction via Blackfish Sound where we encountered a humpback whale feeding in Blackney Passage along with a large flock of rhinoceros auklets who were also feeding. As we entered Johnstone Strait a small group of pacific white-sided dolphins were sighted, they appeared nervous and were grouped close together and behind them orcas could be seen moving slowly in a relaxed fashion towards them. We observed as the group of 5 orcas appeared to split into two groups and then suddenly an orca was airbourne and hunting had begun at a fierce pace. We observed movement from above and below the water as the orcas hunted their prey and the speed and tremendous power of the orcas was evident. It was a successful hunt and after they had eaten, with our hydrophone deployed, it was remarkable listening to their vocalizations as it is not often that we get to listen to transient orcas vocalize and it has always been following a successful hunt. We observed some milling around and resting activity before they began making headway through Blackfish Sound on the ebb current. The humpback whale could be seen in the far distance along the Swanson Island shore and we travelled as well in Blackfish Sound. Meanwhile resident orcas had also been reported "inbound," east of Lizard Point earlier in the day and we were fortunate on our way home to encounter a group passing east of Donegal Head. Other sightings included: a stellar sea lion, harbour seals, dalls porpoises, rhinoceros and cassin’s auklets and bald eagles.

It was another gorgeous day on the water, calm and perfect for sighting humpback whale blows in the distance. The Plumper Islands this morning were sparkling with kelp forests glistening in the sunlight and the narrow passageways we cruised through on the ebb current were beautiful and at one point we glimpsed a small black-tailed deer grazing on a grassy islet. Once out in Blackfish Sound blows of humpback whales could be seen against the Swanson Island shoreline and as we neared Bold Head we observed two whales swimming together, a third one was nearby foraging, close in along the shoreline. Passing Bold Head the three whales came together and everyone onboard enjoyed watching as they lunged, feeding close into shore several times, working together side by side, the three would surface and dive simultaneously. One whale was observed ‘trumpeting’ and the viewing was extremely picturesque and exciting; the rocky shoreline was sunlit and glistening and the sound of shorebirds calling was audible while we drifted quietly waiting for the whales to surface. It was a brilliant and close encounter and before leaving the area we watched as they headed north west together. Other sightings included: harbour seals, dalls porpoises, pacific white-sided dolphins, rhinoceros and cassin’s auklets, common murres, pigeon guillemots, belted kingfishers, mew gulls and bald eagles.

It was a beautiful calm day on the water and we noticed increasing numbers of sea birds had arrived into the area from our last tour out with herring ball activity ++. We enjoyed some nice viewing of a minke whale that we identified as ‘Ripple’ foraging near to Stubbs Island while other sightings included: harbour seals hauled out, dalls porpoises, rhinoceros and cassin’s auklets, red-necked phalaropes (first sighting of the season for them) and numerous bald eagles.

Today was a great day on the water and exciting from the moment of our first sighting of a humpback whale blow. A few more blows were sighted and then the whale breached, all being viewed from a distance away then suddenly the whale surfaced nearby where it appeared to be lying on the surface of the water resting briefly between taking breaths. When the whale resurfaced it was near to Stubbs Island and was soon seen foraging back and forth in wide circles meanwhile a second humpback whale was sighted in Blackfish Sound. The humpback whale that we encountered and enjoyed viewing was identified as KC (Kelp Creature). Other sightings included: harbour seals, dalls and harbour porpoises, rhinoceros and cassin’s auklets, mew and herring gulls, belted kingfishers and bald eagles. Over recent days there has been minke whale and humpback whale sightings in the area and yesterday 8 Biggs orcas (Transients)passed through Cormorant Channel heading west, two Minke Whales were also nearby at this time and a large group of pacific white-sided dolphins. The orcas were: the T109A’s, T69A’s and T12A.