September 4, 2025, 3:30 PM - A Mix of Orca and Humpbacks in the Salish Sea!

Following the success of the morning, our boat headed north to see if we could replicate it. And we were in luck! We soon saw the blows of several different pods, and quickly got to work snapping pics to be able to ID them. The whales present included three different matrilines, with the youngest being approximately 1 month old, and the oldest being 56 years old! Todays pods include:

T075B Pebbles ♀ (1995)
T075B2 Jasper ♂ (2015)
T075B3 Rubble ♂ (2017)
T075B4 Petra ♀ (2021)
T075B5 ♀ (2025)

T100 Hutchins ♀ (~1979)
T100C Laurel ♂ (2002)
T100F Estrella (2004)

T101 Reef ♀ (1969)
T101A Rush ♂ (1993)
T101B Lagoon ♂ (1997)

When multiple pods get together, this is called a ‘T-Party’. T- Parties (T for Transient) are a great opportunity for these highly intelligent animals to solidify bonds and socialize. This social development is especially important for young whales (like the youngest members of the T075B’s) who use this opportunity to learn valuable life skills from older, more experienced pod members. It also allows family members to reconnect, and if there are no family members present, it can be a great opportunity for breeding. In this case, we had a bit of a family reunion, as T100 Hutchins and T101 Reef are presumed mother and daughter! This reunion only lasted a short while, with the T-101s leaving the group shortly after our arrival.

We had a wonderful time watching the remaining two pods interact, and even got to see some porpoising and tail slapping! This type of behaviour is commonly seen with younger whales, who enjoy goofing around as much as human children do. The experience of being with other pods can also elicit this behaviour, as excitement builds. We also observe active surface behaviours from transient orcas during, or immediately following, a hunt, as they celebrate their cooperative efforts and full bellies. Regardless of the reason, it’s wonderful to see these wild animals interacting in their environment.

After leaving the orca, we decided to set out in search of more wildlife. We headed toward Halibut Bank, an area rich in biodiversity and a rich feeding ground for the humpback whales. There were quite a few in the area, and we started with Bond (BCX1640) and a little mystery friend. We then met up with a trio nearby, Arial (BCY0767), Nike (BCX1377), and Helen (KEX0077). After spending a bit of time with these whales, we started heading towards home, but soon saw splashing nearby! It was Valiant (BCX1773) and her 2025 calf! These two were in a particularly rambunctious mood, and guests were treated to cartwheels and tail slaps. What a great way to finish up our time with the whales!

Of course, a whale watching tour isn’t just about whales. At the White Islets, we spotted Black Oystercatchers fanning their wings, flocks of gulls in every direction, and plenty of Steller Sea Lions—including one particularly lucky individual who caught a Spiny Dogfish for dinner! But the real surprise of the trip was an animal we rarely see in the Salish Sea: a Northern Elephant Seal.

We could hardly believe our eyes when Naturalist Hayleigh snapped a picture of what we thought was an entangled Sea Lion at Neck Point. But after taking a closer look, it appears to be a Northern Elephant Seal. Elephant seals are the largest pinnipeds in the world, and though they are not regular inhabitants of the Salish Sea, they are occasional and fascinating visitors. Most of their lives are spent in the deep, open waters of the Pacific Ocean, where they are extraordinary divers, capable of plunging over 1,500 meters below the surface and holding their breath for more than an hour while foraging for squid, fish, and other prey. While it’s rare to encounter one in the heart of the Salish Sea, elephant seals do have a more reliable haul-out site at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, just off the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Race Rocks is home to a rich diversity of marine life, and elephant seals have become regular seasonal visitors there; hauling out on the rocky islets to rest and molt. From time to time, juvenile males also wander farther afield into inland waters, sometimes surprising beachgoers or popping up around harbours.

In the Salish Sea, sightings are often of juvenile males, sometimes called “sub-adults,” who are still honing their skills and exploring beyond the typical range. These young wanderers can end up hauled out on beaches, rocky islets, or even docks, surprising observers with their sheer bulk; males can grow to over 4,000 kilograms and stretch more than 4 meters long. Their most distinctive feature is the large, trunk-like nose of the males, which gives the species its name and is used to amplify vocalizations during the breeding season. While they are rare here compared to more familiar pinnipeds like harbour seals or California sea lions, their appearances highlight the connectivity of the broader Pacific ecosystem. The occasional elephant seal in the Salish Sea reminds us that these inland waters are not isolated but are part of a vast, dynamic ocean environment that supports an incredible range of life.

Check out the photos from the tour below, taken by Marine Naturalist Hayleigh Hilbert.

Porpoising is a way for whales to pick up speed quickly.

The T075B’s show off their new baby with Laurel right behind.

T075B4 Petra surfaces beside her momma, T075B Pebbles.

Laurel with his family, matriarch Hutchins and sister Estrella

Welcome to the world T075B5! Only a month old.

Nike shows of his signature ‘Nike swoosh"‘.

Author: Desarae PoierSeptember 19, 2025Comment