This afternoon, our full fleet slipped off the dock into glassy calm waters. With no wind and a soft haze hanging over the Strait of Georgia, it was the kind of day that makes us grateful to be out on the ocean. The calm conditions gave us the perfect opportunity to search wide, so we set course into the Strait, eager to see what surprises the day would bring.

It wasn’t long before Keta spotted some splashing in the distance near Gabriola Island. We adjusted our heading to investigate, and soon the tall, misty exhalation of a humpback whale rose above the horizon. As we approached, we quickly identified this individual as Starry Knight (BCX0915 calf 2024), the 2024 calf of the well-known whale Fallen Knight.

Starry Knight already has quite the story for such a young whale. At only about a year old, this calf has faced challenges most humpbacks never encounter. They were entangled recently, tragically, not for the first time. Entanglement in fishing gear is one of the leading threats to humpbacks, often leaving scars or worse. Because we know Starry Knight is recovering from injuries, we made the decision to move on quickly. At Vancouver Island Whale Watch, we never stay with an injured whale. Their healing and survival depend on minimizing stress and giving them the best possible chance to recover.

This sighting was also significant because Starry Knight is likely on their own for the very first season. Young humpbacks begin to branch off from their mothers as early as five months, though they can remain together for up to a year. For this little whale, this is a time of independence and learning, a delicate transition in the life of a humpback. You can read more about Starry Knight’s story here.

Back in search mode, it wasn’t long before we were rewarded again: five more blows rising against the backdrop of the Strait. These healthy, thriving humpbacks were identified as Split Fluke (BCX1068), her 2025 calf (BCX1068 calf 2025), along with Hendrix (BCY1278), Dandelion (BCY1107), and Slice (BCX2487). Although spread out, given the productivity of this region, we suspected they were here for one main reason: feeding. The Strait of Georgia is rich in nutrients and plankton, which attract schools of fish and swarms of krill, making it a prime stopover for migrating humpbacks bulking up before their long journey south.

Our suspicion was confirmed when a few of the whales treated us to a few breaches, one of the most spectacular behaviours in the whale world. A breach is when a whale propels itself almost entirely out of the water, crashing back down with an enormous splash. While the sight is thrilling, it’s also incredibly costly in terms of energy. A single breach can burn tens of thousands of calories, roughly the equivalent of what a whale might gain by consuming a large mouthful of fish or krill. Scientists still debate the reasons humpback whales breach, communication, play, or even to shake off parasites, but whatever the reason, it’s always a breathtaking sight for those lucky enough to witness it.

We eventually left these feeding giants to their afternoon meal and continued. Soon, we were delighted to come across a pair of whales that need no introduction in our waters: Whidbey II and her son, Chainsaw.

T065 Whidbey II ♀ (~1971)
T063 Chainsaw ♂ (~1978)

This mother-son duo is iconic in the Salish Sea, and Chainsaw is particularly easy to identify thanks to his tall dorsal fin with deep, jagged notches that make him a fan favourite.

The pair was travelling along Valdez Island, and their behaviour reflected a common pattern. Whidbey hugged the shoreline, likely scanning the waters for prey, while Chainsaw ranged further offshore in deeper water. In Bigg’s (transient) orca society, mothers often take the lead in hunting. When Whidbey locates and initiates a hunt, she may call Chainsaw in for backup, or he may simply join her after the kill to share in the meal. These cooperative dynamics between mother and son are a hallmark of orca family life, where strong bonds and shared knowledge are essential for survival.

Our day wasn’t over yet. We rounded off the trip by paying a visit to our pinniped neighbours. At Stinky Rocks, both Steller Sea Lions and harbour seals were hauled out, soaking in the last warmth of the afternoon sun. A few more sea lions lounged on the UM buoy, as they often do, turning manmade structures into convenient resting platforms. Both species spend much of their day diving in the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Strait in search of fish, octopus, and squid, returning to the surface to rest, warm up, and socialize. Whether on rocks, buoys, or log booms, these haul-out sites are critical for their daily rhythm of foraging and recovery.

With the sun beginning to dip toward the horizon, painting the sky in warm shades of orange and pink, it was time to head back to Nanaimo. The calm seas, the variety of species, and the chance to witness everything from young humpbacks to iconic orca made this day one to remember. Out here, no two trips are ever the same, and that unpredictability is what keeps the Strait endlessly exciting.

Photos taken by Marine Naturalist Hayleigh Hilbert, Jordan Robinson and Aly Kohlman.

August 30, 2025, 3:30 PM - A calm day on the Strait with humpbacks, orca and more