We set off today with a bit of a roll to the sea, waves out in the Strait of Georgia made for a splashy ride, but it was more than worth it. Before long, we were surrounded by humpback whales. Blows rose all around us, one after another, like geysers punctuating the horizon. It’s hard to believe that not all that long ago, the Salish Sea was silent of these giants. We identified: Bandit (BCX2081), Scuttle (BCX1785), Slice (BCX2487), Valiant (BCX1773), her calf (BCX1773 calf 2025), Dalmatian (BCY0994), Nike (BCX1377), Anvil (BCZ0410), Crater/Mensa (BCX1565), Graphite (BCX2077), Dolphin (KEY0054), Helen (KEX0077), Grizzly (BCY1330), and Arial (BCY0767) on the tour today!

Humpbacks were once hunted to the brink of local extinction. Commercial whaling operations decimated populations throughout British Columbia, and for decades, there were none left here to see. It wasn’t until 1997 that a humpback was finally spotted again in the Salish Sea. Since then, their return has been nothing short of remarkable. Today, we regularly encounter dozens of individuals each season, and their population continues to expand.

One of the tools helping us track this comeback is the Keta Coastal Conservation Catalogue, which documents individual humpbacks through photographs of their unique tail flukes and dorsal fins. Every fluke has a distinct pattern of black, white, and scars, much like a fingerprint. With over 250 individuals now identified in our catalogue, this ongoing work helps us piece together who these whales are, where they travel, and even who they spend time with.

For a long time, until only about four years ago, we thought humpbacks were solitary. But as their numbers have grown, so has our understanding of their social lives. We now know that they form temporary associations, pairing or grouping together for hours, days, or even months at a time. Even more intriguing, some of these associations repeat season after season. The same whales have been observed travelling and feeding together multiple years in a row, suggesting that friendships, or at least preferences, might play a role in their lives.

Of course, their social bonds don’t quite compare to orca, who famously stay with their mothers for life. Humpback calves typically separate from their mothers at around a year old, but can become independent as early as five months old. Yet fascinatingly, researchers have documented mothers reuniting with older, long-independent offspring, and siblings associating for several seasons in a row. These moments suggest that recognition endures over the years and that family ties may be stronger than we once thought. It’s even possible that humpbacks have “friends”, companions they choose to travel and feed alongside. Each discovery brings more questions, and we eagerly await learning more about this complex aspect of their lives.

After spending some time with our humpbacks in the wonderfully “whaley wavey” Strait, we turned toward shore to explore more of the Salish Sea’s wildlife. At the White Islets, we were greeted by the deep roars of Steller Sea Lions, one of the largest species of sea lion in the world. Nearby, harbour seals hauled out on the rocks, blending almost seamlessly with the shoreline. Cormorants perched with their wings spread wide, drying themselves after a dive. At the same time, a few pelicans, an exciting and seasonal sight here, soared low over the water!

As if that wasn’t enough, our day ended with some delightful dockside company, our local river otters. These playful creatures are smaller than sea otters and are skilled both on land and in water. Unlike sea otters, who spend almost their entire lives at sea, river otters are equally at home scampering along the docks as they are diving for fish. A fun fact: they can close their ears and nostrils underwater and hold their breath for up to eight minutes while foraging. Watching them slip in and out of the water never fails to put smiles on faces.

With that, we tied up at the dock, sun-soaked and salt-sprayed, full of appreciation for the life that thrives in these waters. From humpback giants to tiny otters, every encounter reminds us of how fortunate we are to witness the richness of the Salish Sea, and how crucial it is to protect it for generations to come!

Photos taken by Aly Kohlman and Hayleigh Hilbert.

September 2, 2025, 10:30 AM - Party time with the Humpbacks!