The weather this afternoon was wonderful as we pushed off from the dock to see who we might spot this time. We decided to head into the Southern Gulf Islands to begin our search. This region, made up of over 300 islands, never fails to impress with its towering mountains and lush greenery. Even in the off-season, it remains fairly verdant thanks to the abundance of coniferous trees that retain their needles year-round. The Southern Gulf Islands are a stunning coastal gem, renowned for their unique ecosystem. This area features a rare semi-tropical rainforest and a Mediterranean-like climate, characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Thanks to this uncommon weather pattern, especially for Canada, locals are able to grow olives, figs, and other sun-loving crops, lending the islands a distinctly lush and relaxed atmosphere.

We had luck on our side as we approached the Ladysmith area, just east of Yellow Point. There, we spotted a familiar dorsal fin, it was Noah! Lately, Noah has become a frequent visitor, accounting for 65% of our bi-weekly sightings. This isn’t unusual for him or his family. His mother, Nan, is named after Nanaimo, a harbour they often frequent. These orcas are known to use the natural shape of harbours and coves to their advantage, trapping prey against the shoreline. These coastal features help them isolate and ambush their targets, increasing the success rate of their hunts. This afternoon, our best guess was that Noah was travelling with a purpose. He was moving in a single direction, taking long dives, perhaps on a mission to reunite with the rest of his family.

The orca present:

T049A1 Noah ♂ (2001)

We left Noah to continue his travels and decided to venture out into the Strait. Once again, luck was on our side; this time, we spotted spouts near Entrance Island, located just over five nautical miles from home. Entrance Island is a small yet striking landform situated off the northeastern tip of Gabriola Island in the Salish Sea. It is best known for its picturesque lighthouse, which has been guiding mariners since 1875, playing a vital role in coastal navigation. Though not open to the public, the island’s rugged beauty and historic charm make it a favourite sight for boaters and wildlife watchers alike. Surrounded by nutrient-rich waters, Entrance Island is often teeming with marine life, from sea lions basking on the rocks to bald eagles soaring overhead. Those blows we saw belonged to three humpback whales! Beak (BCX1606), Dalmation (BCY0994) and Scuba (BCY1225). At this time of year, it's typical to find them feeding after fasting for up to six months in their tropical breeding grounds, especially in such a biologically rich area. But these humpbacks surprised us with an incredible display of surface activity: tail slapping up a storm! And it didn’t stop there, we also witnessed rolling, cartwheeling, fluking, and pec-slapping. Our best guess is that they had full bellies after feeding in this productive area and were possibly burning off some excess energy. Each humpback needs to consume between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds of food per day during feeding season to rebuild fat stores for their long migration back to warmer waters. What a thrill it was to witness this playful and powerful trio in action!

We also met another large member of the Salish Sea, the Steller Sea Lion. Male Steller sea lions can weigh up to 2,800 pounds and grow over 10 feet long. Females are much smaller, averaging around 600–800 pounds. Steller sea lions eat a lot—an adult can consume 5% to 8% of their body weight in food each day. That means a large male might eat 100–200 pounds of food daily. Steller Sea Lions are known for their deep, roaring vocalizations, especially the males, who bellow to establish territory during mating season. They can dive to depths of over 1,300 feet and stay underwater for up to 30 minutes while hunting. You’ll often spot them hauled out in noisy groups on rocky shorelines or lounging on buoys, jostling for the best spot in the sun. Steller sea lions were named after Georg Wilhelm Steller, a German scientist who first described them in the 1700s during an expedition to Alaska. Those long whiskers (called vibrissae) are highly sensitive and help detect vibrations and movement in the water, perfect for locating prey in dark or murky conditions.

After our afternoon with giants, it was time to head in before the sunset!

Pictures below by Hayleigh Hilbert and Val Watson.