The sun was shining as our guests boarded our two vessels out for the morning: Keta and Kula. We ended up starting our search by heading south, through Northumberland Channel and into the Southern Gulf Islands. These islands are beautiful to explore, with their steep rocky shorelines and calm waters.

After searching inside the islands for a while, we decided to try our luck out in the Strait of Georgia. We searched through the waves for a while, with our semi-covered boat catching sight of a blow from a humpback whale. We headed that way, but it seemed that the whale had different plans. The humpback whales are very hungry when they first return to the waters around Vancouver Island, trying to build up their fat reserves that were depleted during their time south in their breeding/calving grounds. This means that we will find them feeding quite frequently this time of year, doing longer dives and surfacing unpredictably. Did you know that a humpback whale can hold its breath for up to 40 minutes? While we don’t often see these deep dives, we might have today as this whale never appeared again for us.

After some minutes passed, we decided to leave this whale to its feeding and continue on our search. Since we were out in the Strait anyway, we decided to stop at a lovely area we have dubbed “Stinky Rock” along the shore of Valdes Island. Those unfortunate enough to be downwind of the Sea lions get to find out why the rock has this nickname! Since there are so many animals eating, sleeping, feeding, and defecating together on one small rock, the smell is as bad as you imagine it to be!

The Steller Sea Lions that haul out there are the largest species of sea lion in the world. They exhibit a trait called sexual dimorphism, where males and females exhibit different physiological characteristics. Females only grow to be one-third the size of mature males, with males reaching 11 feet long and weighing upwards of 2500 pounds, whereas females max out at around 800 pounds and reach 8 feet long. The size difference is a crucial advantage for the males during the breeding season, which has just begun and runs through mid-July. During this time, dominant males claim and defend harems of females on rocky haul-outs. Incredibly, these males will fast and remain on land, without entering the water to feed, for the entire two-month period. When they get the chance to feed, they’re feeding on schooling fish, squid and octopus. Once these individuals decide it is time, they will leave us to go to their breeding sites typically along the Oregon Coast, or heading North from here.

Additionally, on a nearby rock were some skittish Harbour Seals! These seals only weigh up to 280 pounds and grow to be 6 feet long. Males and females are pretty indistinguishable from each other, unlike sea lions. The snout of harbour seals is shorter and more blunt when compared to that of sea lions. These cute little pinnipeds are considered true seals because they belong to a different evolutionary lineage compared to sea lions. One of the key differences lies in their anatomy: true seals lack external ear flaps (pinnae) and have smaller front flippers. Additionally, their pelvic bones are fused, which limits their ability to move on land, but it gives them a powerful advantage in the water. This adaptation enhances thrust and agility, crucial when evading their primary predator: the killer whale.

Our trip continued through the Gulf Islands, drinking in the beautiful scenery as we searched along for any sign of the whales that might be transiting these channels. Unfortunately, the whales never did show themselves, but that just means that every guest onboard received a voucher from us to join another tour for free and try again!

Before returning to dock, we had one last wildlife stop to see the California Sea Lions that were spending time on the log booms near the Harmac Pulp Mill. These California Sea Lions are migratory, breeding on warm sandy beaches in California and returning to our coastal waters to feed. The California Sea Lions arrive here in the fall in time for the salmon run and will stay until the Herring spawn in the spring. Around mid to late spring, they will make their way down south to California and Mexico. California Sea lions are smaller than the Steller Sea lions, with males weighing in at around 700 pounds and measuring 10 feet long. Males can be identified apart from females by the tuft of blond fur on the crest of their heads.

Eventually, we had to return to the docks in Nanaimo. It was great to see all this wildlife, with some wonderful photos taken by the Marine Naturalists Aly Kohlman and Jordan Robinson, which are available below. Hopefully, next time there will be more cooperative whales around for us to find!

June 7, 2025, 10:30 AM - A Sunny Morning Touring the Gulf Islands