June 21, 2025, 3:30 PM - Orca and Humpbacks sharing the Salish Sea.

The rain had eased up from the drizzle we experienced this morning as we eagerly boarded our semi-covered vessel, Kula, with plans to head across the Strait in search of orca reported earlier. When we’re looking for orcas, it’s usually the iconic black dorsal fin we spot first, so when a massive blow rose from the surface, we knew we had found a humpback! Thought we were going to say orca, didn’t you? Not just one blow, there were several. It’s always a good problem to have when you don’t know where to look because there are whales in every direction.

These humpbacks were a bit tricky to identify. Our naturalist, armed with a long lens, was busy snapping photos as we kept catching side views of their flukes, each as unique as a fingerprint. We confirmed a total of three individuals: one remains unidentified, but we did get excellent fluke shots of Dalmatian (BCY0994), a known visitor in the region, as he gracefully dove through the waves. We also got some shots confirming the second whale as Chi (BCZ0575) - not by his fluke, but from his iconic dorsal fin!

A question we’re often asked on tours is: If one species of whale is in the area, does that mean others won’t be? The simple answer is no! Multiple species often share the same waters, and each tour is a new opportunity to witness the dynamic life of the Salish Sea.

The Salish Sea is home to one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the world, and in recent years, an extraordinary drama has been unfolding beneath its surface, and sometimes, right before our eyes. As both humpback whale and orca populations continue to recover and expand, interactions between these two iconic species are becoming more frequent. And while the ocean is vast, it’s not always big enough for everyone to get along.

Humpback whales and orca have coexisted in the North Pacific for millennia, but their interactions have historically been rare, mostly due to humpbacks being absent from local waters for decades following intense commercial whaling. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that humpbacks began returning in significant numbers to the Salish Sea, with the population now growing rapidly year over year. Orca, particularly transient or Bigg’s killer whales, have been frequenting our area for generations. These orca are apex predators that hunt marine mammals, including seals, sea lions, porpoises, and occasionally, even young whales. As the Salish Sea becomes increasingly busy with whales of all kinds, encounters between humpbacks and orca are becoming a notable and sometimes dramatic part of the marine wildlife story.

Most of the time, these two species go about their business, orca hunting in stealthy zigzags, and humpbacks feeding in big, deliberate lunges through schools of fish. But every so often, they come into direct contact. Some of these interactions are curious and non-violent. Orca might approach a humpback, circle it, and move on. Sometimes, a humpback will slap its pectoral fins or tail, seemingly warning the orca to keep their distance. Other times, the encounters are far more intense. Humpbacks have been observed defending other species, including seals and gray whale calves, from orca.

One reason for the rise in interactions is simple math: more whales equals more overlap. With both species increasing their presence in the Salish Sea, and with overlapping feeding grounds and travel corridors, the chances of crossing paths are naturally rising.

After leaving our humpbacks to their travels, we encountered orca near Roberts Bank. The orca present today were:

T046B Raksha ♀ (1988)
T046B4 Quiver ♀ (2013)
T046B6 Sol ♀ (2019)
T046B7 Tala ♀ (2023)

T046B1 Tread ♀ (2003)
T046B1A Tsakani ♀ (2015)
T046B1C Tide ♂ (2022)

T046C2 Sam ♀ (2009)

T046B2 Akela ♀ (2008)
T046B2B Takaya (2023)

T046B3 Sedna ♀ (2011)
T046B3A Munro (2025)

Although Roberts Bank is approximately 30 nautical miles from where we spent time with the humpbacks, it didn’t feel far aboard our fast-moving vessel. Today, the two species were far enough apart that we didn’t witness any direct interactions, though the orca were heading in that general direction. Humpback whales are capable of hearing sounds over vast distances underwater, and if the orca are vocalizing (though transient orcas are known as silent hunters and are generally quieter than other ecotypes) the humpbacks are likely aware of their presence. Fascinatingly, it has been observed that humpbacks often appear indifferent, particularly when they are in groups of two or more. Humpback whales are built for fight, not flight. Unlike many other baleen whales that flee when threatened, humpbacks are known for their bold and defensive behaviour, especially when orca are nearby. With massive pectoral fins, powerful flukes, and an impressive bulk, they can slap, charge, and even mob predators, sometimes to protect themselves, their calves, or even other vulnerable species. Their physical strength and surprising aggression make them the ocean’s unlikely protectors.

In the last few years, reports and sightings of these interactions have increased, particularly in spring and fall, when both species are actively hunting or migrating. Local researchers and whale watchers are beginning to witness more of these moments, some tense, some fascinating, all incredibly rare until recently. We assume these interactions will only become more common as the Salish Sea remains a hotspot for returning humpbacks and a year-round hunting ground for transient/Bigg’s orca. While we can’t always predict how these encounters will unfold, they offer a front-row seat to the complex and dynamic relationships that define life in the ocean. The increase in orca-humpback interactions is a powerful indicator of a healthier ecosystem. It means marine mammal populations are recovering. It means food is available. And it means we’re finally witnessing behaviours that were likely common long before industrial whaling and modern human impacts reshaped the seas.

As always, nature writes its own story, full of tension, resilience, and the unexpected. With each encounter, researchers learn more about how these whales share space, establish boundaries, and communicate across species lines. And for those lucky enough to witness such a meeting, it's a rare and humbling glimpse into the lives of the ocean’s most iconic giants.

After getting to spend time with both species, it was time to make our way back, racing the setting sun.

Photos below taken by Jordan Robinson.

Dalmatian’s dorsal fin slicing through the waters.

T046B4 Quiver with a different whale tail slapping behind him.

T046B2 Akela and her calf T046B2B Takaya.

T046B1A Tsakani, T046C2 Sam, and T046B2 Akela.

T046B1A Tsakani with T046C2 Sam beside her breaking the surface.

T046B2B Takaya with their face out of the water, beside their mother T046B2 Akela.

T046B1A Tsakani with her giant eyepatch.

T946B1 Tread with her son T046B1C Tide behind her.

T046B1C Tide with his eyepatch above the water, and his mother T046B1 Tread ahead of him.

Author: Vanessa VereschahenJune 21, 2025WhalesComment