It was a bright, sunny morning with a light breeze sending us off on our adventure, ideal conditions for a day on the water. Both of our vessels were out today: Kula, our semi-covered vessel, and Keta, our open zodiac. As per usual, we split up and headed in different directions to maximize our chances of spotting wildlife.

Our open vessel had a bit of early luck, just 30 minutes into the search, they spotted a blow! This is always a treat, as sightings often require a bit more time and patience. The whale was Bagheera (BCY1471), a young individual born in 2021. We followed them as they travelled through the Strait, and she eventually rewarded us with a beautiful dive, showing off her tail flukes for a perfect ID.

Not long after, we were back in search mode when another blow was spotted. This time, it was Thunderbolt (BCX1675calf2023), a youngster born in 2023. Unlike Bagheera, Thunderbolt was lifting its tail frequently, which is ideal for identification. A humpback’s tail fluke is like a fingerprint, unique to each individual, and seeing those distinctive markings is key to confirming who we’re with.

Then came even more excitement: two, no—three more blows in the distance. It turned out to be three more young humpbacks! Iota (BCY1466) was born in 2022, Calypso (BCY1226), born in 2019, and Spock (BCY1134), was first recorded in 2021 (though their actual birth year remains unknown).

Spock was initially seen travelling alongside Calypso, a common behaviour among juvenile humpbacks who often form temporary associations. But before long, Iota arrived on the scene and seemed to catch Calypso’s attention. In a playful shuffle of companions, Calypso left Spock and began travelling with Iota instead.

As humpback whale populations continue to recover, we’re seeing more of these young individuals spending time together in what appear to be loose, social groups. While not as structured as orca pods, these associations may play an important role in the development and learning of young whales as they navigate life on their own.

Today’s encounters were a beautiful reminder of how rich and vibrant our local marine ecosystem has become—and just how much these young whales have to teach us.

The story of a humpback whale calf begins long before its first breath at the ocean’s surface. These marine mammals have one of the longest gestation periods in the animal kingdom, pregnancy lasts about 11 to 12 months. Females typically give birth every 2 to 3 years, and the timing is anything but random. Births most often occur in warm, shallow breeding grounds during the winter months, offering a safe and temperate nursery for vulnerable newborns. When a humpback calf is born, it's already an impressive creature. Newborns can measure 10 to 15 feet (3 to 4.5 meters) in length and weigh about 1 to 2 tons—roughly the size of a pickup truck! Despite their size, they're still entirely dependent on their mothers for both nutrition and protection.

Mother humpbacks nurse their calves with rich, fatty milk, up to 50% fat content, designed to promote rapid growth in cold waters. Calves consume around 100 gallons (over 375 litres) of milk per day! This high-calorie diet helps them gain as much as 100 pounds (45 kg) per day. Nursing can last anywhere from 6 months up to a year, depending on the individual calf and environmental conditions. Unlike many land mammals, nursing happens underwater. The mother rolls slightly to expose her mammary slits, and the calf swims close, still not completely sure how they do it, it is speculated that the calves can curl their tongues to recieve milk, that is then squirted into the calves mouth. It’s an intimate and powerful bond, and during this time, the calf rarely strays far from mom’s side.

Calves stay with their mothers for about a year. During this time, they learn essential survival skills by watching and mimicking their mothers, navigation, social cues, and even basic foraging behaviours. They’ll typically migrate with mom during their first northbound journey to feeding grounds in the spring and remain close throughout the summer. By the time they wean, calves have nearly doubled in length and significantly increased in mass, becoming strong enough to begin foraging on their own. Weaning is gradual; the calf starts sampling small prey and relying less on milk until it's self-sufficient.

In recent years, as humpback whale populations continue to rebound, a fascinating pattern has begun to emerge: juvenile whales, especially recently weaned individuals, appear to be spending more time with one another. These “teenagers” of the whale world are often spotted travelling, feeding, and even playing in loose-knit groups. While not true pods like those of orcas, these youthful gatherings suggest that young whales may benefit from social interaction as they navigate their early years of independence. These playful encounters among juvenile humpbacks are becoming more common along our coast, and they offer a heartwarming reminder of just how resilient and adaptable these creatures are. With each calf that thrives, we witness a success story in marine conservation, one more splash in the sea that echoes a brighter future for humpbacks!

On today’s tour, we were also treated to an exciting variety of coastal wildlife! Bald eagles soared overhead, offering stunning views of their impressive wingspans as they scanned the water for prey. Along the shoreline, harbour seals lounged on the rocks, blending into their surroundings with their speckled coats. Nearby, both Steller sea lions and California sea lions made appearances, Stellers roaring from their haul-outs while the smaller, sleeker Californias barked and jostled for space on the log booms. It was a classic West Coast experience, full of life at every turn.

Photos below by Aly Kohlman and Hayleigh Hilbert.

June 5, 2025, 10:30 AM - A handful of Humpbacks!