June 17, 2025 - Elusive Humpback Whales in the Strait
We departed from the Nanaimo harbour this morning with a tip-off in mind, there had been a report of whales near Texada Island earlier in the day. We decided to try our luck at locating these animals, pointed our bow northward and cruised into the Strait of Georgia. The waves made it a fun ride, surfing our way along the swells towards our destination. The scenery was stunning as always, but despite a thorough search, our elusive cetacean friends kept hidden beneath the surface.
Not ones to give up, we shifted course and headed south toward the White Islets. This area is a known hotspot for marine activity, and it didn’t disappoint. We were welcomed by the gruff and curious faces of Steller Sea Lions, lounging on the rocky outcrops. These massive pinnipeds, the largest of the sea lion species, can weigh around 2,500 pounds and they certainly make their presence known, both visually and vocally!
In the surrounding waters, we spotted flocks of surf scoters, striking sea ducks easily recognized by their bold white-and-orange bills and constant motion as they flew across our path.
After enjoying the lively activity at the islets, we made our way back into the Strait of Georgia. It wasn’t long before we spotted the tall, misty blow of a humpback whale in the distance. The whale surfaced once, briefly giving us a glimpse, before disappearing again into a deep dive. Humpbacks are known for this behavior, especially when they are feeding or resting deeper underwater. Though we didn’t get a prolonged visit, it was still a special moment to witness one of these giants, if only for a breath or two.
Our final stop brought us to the rugged shoreline of Gabriola Island, and it turned out to be a spectacular way to wrap up the tour. Along the cliffside, pelagic cormorants were busy at work, flying back and forth with twigs and seaweed to continue building up their nests. It’s nesting season, and their activity was a flurry of determination and cooperation.
Above, a pair of bald eagles soared, surveying the buffet below. In a powerful display of nature’s raw balance, one eagle swooped in and seized a cormorant, providing a fresh catch for its waiting eaglets. We watched in awe as the adult returned to its nest, where the young were eagerly waiting for their share of the meal. Seeing these apex predators at work is always an unfortgetabl experience.
Finally, we returned to the dock, and although we had a brief glimse at a humpback whale, it dissapeared a bit too soon for us to count, so all the guests onboard got vouchers to try again for free! We hope all the guests enjoyed their advenure and hope that we will have them out again soon!
The onboard Marine Naturalist Aly Kohlman captured some great shots of all the wildlife during the tour today which is available below.
A Bald Eagle soaring overhead.
Did you know they don’t develop the white head and tail feathers until they are 5 years old?
Steller Sea Lions on the White Islets.
Surf Scooters flying by.
A great look at the Sea Lions hanging out on the massive white rocks.
A bald eagle flying with a cormorant in its talons
The bald eagle back at its nest with its feast.
The young one was looking at us while mom prepared dinner.
You can see the peice in the beak of the adult eagle.
A pelagic comorant flying by with some nesting material.
This cormorant has a stick!
You can see them all on the cliffs likely incubating eggs.
A good spot for finding sticks!
A Turkey Vulture flying by the bluffs.
Turkey Vulture soaring overhead.
You can see that these birds are actually bald on their heads!
A lovely final look at the Turkey Vulture.