August 3rd

This morning we headed out and found the A30 matriline of Orcas. The group consists of the matriarch A30 (a grandmother at the ripe age of 60 years old), her two sons (aged 37 and 32) and two daughters, as well as four grandchildren! The day was spectacular, we had the sails up and cruised alongside the orcas as they slept, foraged, and socialized while we listened to their vocalization via the hydrophone. The SV Tuan and the MV Cetacea also sighted humpbacks, Dall's porpoises, Steller sea lions and lots of harbour seals.
Other wildlife sighted throughout the day included three bald eagle chicks, harlequin ducks, cassin's auklet, marbled murrelets and leach's storm-petrels.

August 2nd

The morning got off to a fantastic start for we had not gone far before we were the center of attention for a group of very frisky Pacific white-sided dolphins who delighted everyone on board with their bow riding and acrobatic skills. The SV Tuan and the MV Cetacea also encountered a young humpback foraging in Blackfish Sound as well as a group of resident orcas in Queen Charlotte Strait. The orcas consisted of the familiar A36's (a bachelor group of three brother), and the A24's (a well known matriarch and her three offspring) as well a surprise visit from the R7's (three orcas that are rarely spotted in this area). The day was glorious, we switched off the engine and watched the orcas foraging and socializing in the sun, punctuated by the occasional vocalization over the hydrophone. Truly spectacular.

August 1st

The morning began amongst bow riding Dall's porpoises and the trend continued throughout the day delighting everyone aboard on both morning and afternoon tours. The seas remained calm and the skies fluctuated between mist and clear blue making for some excellent scenery as we cruised through the archipelago. The highlight of both trips was our encounters with mother and calf humpback whale as the calf has proved itself to be very surface active showing off its pectoral fins and tail flukes altered by the odd full breach!
Other wildlife sighted throughout the day included harbour seals, Steller sea lions, harbour porpoise, bald eagles, black oyster catchers, 2 wandering tattlers, rhinoceros auklets, 3 Cassin's auklets, common murres, california gulls and a ring-billed gull.

July 31st

The water was calm and sparkling with sunlight as we headed out this morning. Houdini ( a well known female humpback) foraged for small fish while her 7 month old calf goofed around. It was comical to watch. The calf rolled on to its back waving its pectoral fins high in the air, followed by a couple of tail slaps, a breach, and some more fin waggling, this lasted for most of the morning! The afternoon was spent near Robson Bight Ecological Reserve watching a group of resident orcas foraging and chasing salmon. One particular high speed chase ended in a kill which was shared between the group; dropping the hydrophone into the water we were able to listen in on their vocalization as the fish was consumed.
Other wildlife sighted throughout the day included harbour seals, Steller sea lions, Dall's porpoises, Pacific white-sided dolphins, bald eagles, rhinoceros auklets and common murres.

July 30th

The sun shone brightly as we headed out towards Blackfish Sound. We hadn't gone far when we found a female humpback and her calf foraging through the calm waters. As we watched the calf arch its back to make a dive, flashing us a view of its tail-fluke, we were taken by surprise as moments later it was launching out of the water in a spectacular breach clearing the surface and twisting in mid-air to land on its back, then performing the same feat another three times. Truly magnificent! As if this was not enough we later caught-up with a small group of resident orcas (A34 and her offspring) and watched transfixed as they lunged out of the water chasing salmon, we were even lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the three year old calf breaching.
Other wildlife sighted throughout the day included harbour seals, bald eagles, red-necked
phalaropes, Leach's storm-petrels, rhinoceros auklets and common murres.

July 29th

As the SV Tuan and the MV Cetacea headed out into the Blackfish Sound and Johnstone Strait we could see the distant dorsal fins of a group of resident orcas. As we approached they continued to forage, diving and surfacing at intervals alongside the boat. We dropped the hydrophone into the water and listened to the eerie vocalization as they called to each other, punctuated by the occasional breach from a frisky juvenile. The SV Tuan also encountered a young humpback rolling and diving amongst the bull kelp, surfacing with strands criss-crossed over its back before submersing itself again amongst the seaweed. We also enjoyed the company of a group of Dall's porpoises bow-riding in our wake during the homeward journey. Other wildlife sighted throughout the day included harbour seals, Steller sea lions, bald eagles, fluffy Glaucous-winged gull chicks, black oyster catchers, harlequin ducks, rhinoceros auklets and common murres.

July 28th

As we made our way north we were spoilt for choice, in front of us were a couple of humpbacks while to our right was a minke whale. Minkes, once a common sight in these waters have since dwindled in numbers since the population increase of the humpbacks over the last 10 years. To spot one at a distance is rare, but to get close enough to observe it for more than a couple of minutes is even harder. Considering our options we went after the humpbacks. This turned out to be a fantastic choice, not only did we get a spectacular view of the humpbacks tail flukes as they made numerous dives, but on the homeward journey the elusive minke crossed our path and we spent the next 20 minutes observing not just one minke but two swimming together! A really rare encounter! Other wildlife sighted throughout the day included harbour seals, Steller sea lions, Dall's porpoises, bald eagles, black oyster catchers, a surf scooter, rhinoceros auklets and common murres.

July 27th

This morning was cool and crisp as we headed out in search of whales. We had not gone far when we spotted a group of Steller sea lions foraging in the kelp, and were completely taken by surprise when a loud blow indicated the presence of a young humpback as it swam out from behind the island through the mist towards us! The highlight of the day was seeing the A24's, a small family group of resident orcas, in the middle of Queen Charlotte Strait. Other wildlife sighted throughout the day included a Leach's Storm-Petrel, harbour seals, Dall's porpoises, bald eagles, red-necked Phalaropes, rhinoceros auklets and common murres. We have also been seeing the odd Cassin's auklet, Pigeon Guillemots and very small Glaucous-winged Gull chicks standing on the rocks just outside their nests.

July 26th

Thanks to Jackie Hildering for this excellent photo of SV Tuan and the Orcas!



Today was full of surprises. This morning as we cruised north we meet up with a small family of resident orcas known as the A24's, consisting of the matriarch (aged 40) and her three surviving offspring. We traveled alongside this group observing them sleeping as they made their way towards Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. The afternoon trip was just as exciting as we sat and watched a mother humpback feeding while her calf breached and frolicked next to her. The highlight of the day for many was the unexpected arrival of a Horned Puffin, a very rare bird in this part of the coast. The MV Cetacea spent the afternoon in Johnstone Strait with the A24's. Passengers observed them as they entered Robson Bight, known for the rubbing beaches that are frequented by resident orcas during the summer. Other wildlife sighted throughout the day included a wandering tattler, harbour seals, Steller sea lions, Dall's porpoises, bald eagles, rhinoceros auklets and common murres.

July 25th

It was hot and sunny out in Blackfish Sound this morning, not a breath of wind and the water as smooth as glass - perfect condition for spotting humpbacks. It was not long before we found Houdini (a local humpback in this area) and her calf lunge feeding near some remote islands. It was a awesome sight! We also caught a glimpse of the lone resident sea otter swimming on his back and rolling in the bull kelp amongst an onlooking audience of harbour seals and bald eagles, before he swished up his tail and dived out of sight. The afternoon trip was full of humpbacks, it seemed that wherever we went there they were in front of us, showing off their beautiful tail flukes and exhaling towering blows. Even the Steller sea lions popped-up on numerous occasions, spying on us from amongst the kelp forests.

July 24th

Pacific white-sided Dolphin hitting a Salmon in mid air!


Clear sky and beautiful sunshine greeted us this morning as we made our way down Johnstone Strait. It wasn't long before we were joined by a huge pod of 70 - 100 Pacific White-sided dolphins, all darting and diving around the boat foraging for fish and delighting children and adults alike. The pod contained a number of newborn calves as well as a solitary Dall's porpoises who's striking black and white physique stood out as it raced amongst the dolphins. The highlight of the afternoon came as quite a surprise, we were watching a mother humpback and calf feeding and frolicking in Blackfish Sound, the pair had been diving for a couple of minutes when all of a sudden mother and calf made a spectacular breach 200 meters from the boat! Nobody was expecting a sight quite like it, though the calf did a solo encore for the benefit of those with cameras.

July 23rd

The day started off misty and calm as wet set out to find whales. We heard the blows before seeing the 2 huge animals looming out of the fog and as we watched them at the edge of the mist the sky cleared and the sun beat down. The Humpback whales proved to be as active as ever with numerous breaches, barrel rolls, and cartwheels throughout the day. Other wildlife seen was Steller Sea lions, Harbor Seals, Dall's Porpoises, and Bald Eagles. This year there also seems to be an early return of many Sandpiper species including many Red-necked Phalaropes, a few Western and Least Sandpipers, Long-billed Dowitchers, and a Wandering Tattler all seen from SV Tuan in the last week.

July 22nd

Hooray for Humpbacks! This afternoon was perfect. We had the stay-sail up and cruised silently through Blackfish Sound observing numerous humpbacks foraging for krill and herring. It was breathtaking, wherever we looked we could see at least one of the five whales, either foraging alongside us or diving with their tail-flukes in the air silhouetted in the distance. Touring by some remote Islands we also viewed the local harbour seals sunning themselves on the rocks, then later came across a group of Steller sea lions swimming through the kelp beds in search of food. The homeward journey was rewarded with a quick glimpse of some Dall's porpoises, followed by the aerobatic displays of a humpback calf fully propelling itself out of the water in several spectacular breaches.

July 21st

This afternoon started off damp, but all thoughts of the weather were soon forgotten as we spied the tall dorsal fin of a large male orca foraging along the coastline towards us. We had just reached Johnstone strait when we encountered members of the A1, A4, and A5 pods (the A12's, A25's, A23's and A35's). We traveled alongside the group observing them foraging, and listening to their calls via the underwater microphone. After leaving the A pods in Johnstone Strait we continued into Blackfish Sound where we met up with the A11's and the famous orca "Springer" (A73), who made the papers in 2002 when local rescue efforts united the young orphaned orca with her relatives. The homeward journey was completed by an encounter with Houdini, a local humpback, and her calf who showed their tail-flukes off as they dived deep while foraging.

July 20th

Thanks to Doug Martin for this photo!


A very eventful morning turned into an action packed afternoon out on SV Tuan today. No sooner had we found a mother humpback and calf feeding in Blackfish Sound, then we were also flooking at nearly 30 Orcas. The group of orcas turned out to consist of four families from the C and D pods. We cruised quietly next to this group of orcas observing them resting, while a nursery-group of calves and juveniles frisked around tail-lobbing and spy-hopping. After leaving the orcas we suddenly found ourselves the centre of entertainment for a small pod of Dall's porpoises who delighted viewers as they swam and dived around the front of the boat. The highlight of the afternoon was spent watching a lone humpback lunge-feeding for herring 150 meters from the boat, its baleen plates and throat pleats clearly visible - not a sight you see every day.

July 19th

Both the SV Tuan and the MV Cetacea set out this afternoon and braved both the rain and fog - climatic conditions which obviously didn't effect the whales and other marine mammals for sightings were plentiful and varied! First-off we saw a bald eagle chick sitting on the edge of it's nest, closely followed by an encounter with five Steller Sea Lions swimming in the kelp close to a group of halled-out harbor seals, and a small group Dall's porpoises . As visibility improved we were greeted by an adult Humpback, (Houdini) and her 6 month old calf who delighted onlookers with with an energetic display of tail-slapping and breaching. The homeward journey was just as eventful, with a large group of Pacific White-Sided Dolphins bow-ridding and jumping next to the boat. The perfect end to a wonderful afternoon.

July 18th

As we departed from Alert Bay we were soon engulfed by a thick blanket of sea fog, greatly re-ducing visibility, yet providing an eery backdrop for what turned into an fantastic and eventful morning. As we approached Stubbs Island we were privileged to encounter a large Steller Sea-lion catching a salmon for its breakfast, closely followed by a visit from a small pod of Dall's porpoises showing-off their newest member, a two month old calf. As the fog closed in on this scene, it opened up another, we suddenly found ourselves surrounded by dolphins! The morning progressed, still thick with fog, with us listening for distant humpback blows. All the passengers got into the spirit of the challenge, gleefully pointing out the direction of the latest blow while we navigated through the fog. The scene that enfolded was breathtaking, a young humpback emerging from the mist, exhaling a cloud of oxygen before diving again to feed.

July 17th

As we set out into the strait the thin wisps of fog began to disapate. No sooner had this oc-
cured than we began to see the first sign of Orcas coming towards us. They were spread out
foraging and throughout the encounter they remained all around us vocalizing and catching
salmon making for some wonderful photo opportunities. With lots time to pass after such
great viewing of the A12 pod of Orcas we meandered through the islands looking at Sea lions,
seals and eagles before coming across Humpback on the way home.

The season is underway

Greenpeace ship Esperanza


In late June we began our "sail with the whales" tours and as the amount of trips has been increasing so has the whale activity. The Humpback whale sightings have been steady since Spring as the sightings of other species of marine mammal have been steadily increasing. We have so far seen Humpback whales, Minke whales, Northern and Southern Resident Orcas, as well as Transient Killer Whales, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Dall's Porpoises, Harbour Porpoises, Steller Sea Lions, Harbour Seals, a Sea Otter and more Bald Eagles than ever before with a trip record of 53 individuals. This is in addition to all the various other bird and fish life we see regularly. It is so far ramping up to be an excellent and abundant summer.

Sailing with a Humpback

Thanks to Arthur Rosenshein for the great photo! This beautiful little Humpback calf waved its huge pectoral fins around for over half an hour as we sailed back and forth nearby. August 2006.