Today was one of those classic West Coast days, a bit of wind, some rain, and a whole lot of whales. All three of our vessels, Kula, Keta, and Cascadia, set out into the Salish Sea this morning, embracing the mix of weather that makes this coastline so unforgettable. With the sea mist clinging to the horizon and the waves rolling beneath us, we set off in three different directions to cover as much ground as possible and maximize our chances of finding whales. And it didn’t take long for the day’s excitement to begin!

After just over an hour of scanning the horizon for signs of life, a blow, a dorsal fin, or even a sudden splash, Cascadia was the first to strike gold. A disturbance in the water ahead revealed a pair of humpbacks: Tempest (BCX0837) and Orion (BCX1251)! These two were travelling closely together, surfacing through the wind-blown waves and occasionally flicking their massive tails. We were even treated to a few “trumpets”, vocalizations that sound like deep exhalations or bursts of air, often used by humpbacks to communicate with one another. Whether they were chatting, coordinating, or just expressing their enthusiasm for the wavy seas, it was a wonderful moment to witness.

As Cascadia enjoyed time with Tempest and Orion, reports of orca activity came in from across the Strait near Howe Sound. That was our cue; three bows turned in that direction, and all vessels began the journey toward the mainland. But before Cascadia could get far, one more towering blow caught their attention. A quick stop revealed another humpback, a familiar fluke Poptart (BCY1014)! Known for her distinctive fluke and youthful curiosity, Poptart has been frequently sighted in our range over the last few years. We didn’t linger long, but we couldn’t resist snapping a few ID photos before wishing this whale safe travels and continuing on our way.

By the time our fleet arrived near Howe Sound, the rain was coming down steadily, creating a moody, dramatic scene, the perfect backdrop for orca watching. Sure enough, we soon spotted the T090s frolicking in the rain.

T090 Eagle ♀ (1980)
T090B Piglet ♂ (2006)
T090C Tigger ♀ (2010)
T090D Kanga ♀ (2017)

This family of transient killer whales began by travelling steadily, surfacing in rhythm through the calmer, sheltered water. But their pace soon shifted, and it became clear they were beginning to hunt.

Orca hunts are always thrilling to witness, but most of the action happens below the surface, a silent, strategic game invisible to us. Transient orca feed on marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, and porpoises, using stealth, teamwork, and communication to corner their prey. Sometimes, their hunts are so quick and efficient that we only realize a kill has been made when seabirds rush in for scraps or pieces of prey float to the surface. Occasionally, we’re lucky enough to see orca share food at the surface, an incredible display of social cooperation within the pod.

Today, it seemed that the T090s were working hard but hadn’t landed a meal while we were with them. For a family of their size, they’ll need to consume roughly 1,000 pounds of food a day, with each adult orca eating around 300 pounds on their own! They often take advantage of Howe Sound's geography during hunts, using steep rock faces, narrow channels, and shallow bays to trap or confuse prey. We left them to continue their search for lunch, confident that persistence would soon pay off.

As Keta made their way back toward Nanaimo, a blow rose again, and another humpback had been sighted near the entrance of Howe Sound! Of course, curiosity won out. The team made a short detour and soon found it was another familiar whale: Smoke/Squirrel (BCX2183). This young humpback glided gracefully through the rain-dappled water, surfacing with slow, deliberate breaths before diving once more into the depths.

Not to be left out, Kula had their own humpback encounter just south of Gibsons. A pair of whales surfaced side by side, revealing themselves as Seabird (BCX1774) and an unidentified companion. Cameras clicked rapidly as the crew captured photos for identification. These two appeared to be travelling purposefully, surfacing in a straight line and lifting their enormous tails high before disappearing beneath the waves, a beautiful sight against the grey ocean backdrop.

By the end of the day, all three vessels had experienced encounters with both species, humpbacks and orca, making for an unforgettable day on the Salish Sea. Despite the wind and rain, or perhaps because of it, today captured the true essence of whale watching on the West Coast: raw, wild, and endlessly rewarding.

From humpbacks trumpeting in the waves to orca families weaving through rain-soaked fjords, the ocean was alive with movement and mystery. Every trip reminds us how dynamic and rich these waters are, and how lucky we are to share them with such incredible wildlife.

Photos below taken by Cheyenne Brewster, Jordan Robinson and Desarae Poier.

October 10, 2025 - Humpbacks across the Strait, and the T090s in Howe Sound