It was a beautiful sunny day as we had two of our vessels leave the dock and start the search through the Southern Gulf Islands. Although we got some splashes during our journey, it was so warm that we didn’t mind!

We started the search by heading south through Northumberland Channel into a very cool spot called Dodd Narrows. This Narrow passageway takes us between Joan Point on Vancouver Island and Mudge Island. The narrow passage has large volumes of water moving through there, and the narrow space means that the water gets moving very quickly as it goes. The fast-flowing water creates a ton of turbulence, with whirlpools bringing the oxygen-rich water deeper and the cold waters from below being brought to the surface through upwelling. This mixing of the water column makes this a very nutrient-rich area, and has high productivity. The increased oxygen also means that there is a few species here that are typically more commonly seen on the other side of the island, where the oxygen levels are achieved through the larger waves from the open ocean. Things like the large beds of California Mussels, Giant Acorn Barnacles, and Surf Anemones. You can explore these species yourself by taking the Cable Bay Trail to the narrows on land! We enjoyed seeing all the colourful banding of the intertidal zone from the boat, though, as we sailed past.

Both boats continued through the Gulf Islands, searching south, all the way down until the Border with the USA was in sight. Along the way, both boats also stopped to see some of our pinniped friends, the Harbour Seals! These adorable little rock sausages were spending time on the shallow sloped rocks throughout the Southern Gulf Islands. Although they are more comfortable in the water than they are on land, this time outside the waves is important for them for thermoregulation. Since water is such an efficient conductor of heat, if the seals stayed in there too long, they would eventually freeze to death, even with all their fur and blubber. So they bask in the sun to warm up again before continuing below the surface to hunt and play.

After their little look close to the US, it was time to head back north with the continued journey, where they spotted some Bald Eagles soaring overhead and resting on a treetop they were passing. These iconic raptors are a favourite on the tour, with the striking white head and tail feathers a stark contrast against their dark brown bodies. They don’t develop this white plumage until they are around 5 years old, though, staying fully brown with some white mottling on the head as they age. This can make recognizing the juvenile eagles as the same as the adults somewhat difficult, but it gets easier once you know this fact!

Our boats continued the search all the way back north, through Dodd Narrows, and once again into Northumberland Channel. At this point, they made a final stop at the Harmac Pulp Mill, where some California Sea Lions were spending their time hauled out on the log booms. Their rich chocolate coloured fur is how we distinguish them from their lighter coloured cousins, the Steller Sea Lions. Watching them bark and stretch in the sun was great, but eventually it came time to return to the dock. Although we didn’t find any whales today, we sure gave it our best try and ended up spotting a lot of wildlife along the way! All of the guests onboard today received vouchers to try again for free the next time they can. Since each tour is unique, we know the next time they will have just as much fun!

Please enjoy the photos taken by Marine Naturalists onboard Desarae Poier and Val Watson below!

June 9, 2025, 10:30 AM - Searching the Southern Gulf Islands