It was one of those picture-perfect days on the Strait of Georgia, calm seas, bright skies, and all three of our boats heading out together, ready for adventure. From the start, we set our sights east, toward an area known as Halibut Bank, a remarkable hotspot for marine wildlife.

Halibut Bank isn’t just a random patch of ocean; it’s home to an underwater mountain that stirs up the water column as the tides move in and out. This mixing action brings nutrients up from the depths, fueling life at the very base of the food chain. The process starts with phytoplankton, the microscopic plants of the sea, which convert sunlight into energy. With such a strong base of productivity, Halibut Bank supports a huge biomass of life that works its way up the food web, from tiny krill and baitfish all the way to massive humpback whales.

And sure enough, it wasn’t long before we spotted our first whales.

Near the bank, we encountered Split Fluke (BCX1068), a familiar humpback, travelling with her young calf. The pair surfaced together in perfect rhythm, moving through the area in search of food. For calves, these moments are not only about learning to feed but also about building strength for their long migrations back to warmer waters later in the year. Watching a mother humpback guide her calf is always a reminder of the delicate balance between nurturing and survival in the wild.

Next, we made our way to White Islet, where the rocks and cliffs were bustling with activity.

Gulls were busy tending to their chicks, filling the air with their calls.
Steller Sea Lions jostled noisily for space on the steep, crowded rocks.
Harbour Seals lounged on nearby ledges, soaking up the sun in their quieter way.

As if the scene wasn’t beautiful enough, a rainbow arched across the sky, a perfect backdrop for the natural theatre unfolding before us.

Rainbows seemed to be a theme for the day. As we left White Islet, we came across another pair of humpbacks: Mow (BCY0523calf2023) and an unknown companion. When they surfaced to breathe, the sun caught their exhales just right, turning each spout into a shimmering rainbow mist.

Not far from Mow, we also spotted Fader (BCY0195) travelling with Arial (BCY0767), making it clear we had truly found ourselves in a bowl of “humpback soup.” Whales seemed to be everywhere we looked!

Adding to the excitement, another duo appeared: Valiant (BCX1773) with her calf (BCX1773calf2025). Valiant is an especially memorable whale because her tail fluke bears the scars of a past orca attack that she suffered when she was a calf. Those marks tell a story of survival and resilience, living proof of the challenges these whales face and their incredible ability to endure. Seeing her now, healthy and raising her own calf, was truly inspiring.

As if the day hadn’t already been full enough, one of our boats had one last surprise encounter: a single humpback identified as Thunderbolt (BCX1675 calf 2023). With a strong exhale and a deep dive, Thunderbolt put the perfect exclamation point on a day overflowing with wildlife and wonder.

From the tiny phytoplankton blooming at Halibut Bank to the massive whales that depend on this foundation, today was a living lesson in the interconnectedness of life in the ocean. Each sighting, whether it was seabirds tending to their young, sea lions battling for space, or whales displaying their tails, was part of the bigger picture of the Salish Sea’s thriving ecosystem.

Please enjoy all of the photos below, captured by the onboard Marine Naturalists Vanessa Vereschahen, Aly Kohlman, and Jordan Robinson.

August 19, 2025, 3:30 PM - A Rainbow Day on the Strait