With no early reports, our vessels ventured out in different directions, covering as much ground as possible to maximize our chances at locating whales. With glass-like sea conditions, we were eager to get out and start exploring. Cascadia and Kula headed north along Nanaimo’s shoreline, while Keta ventured east, heading out into the Strait of Georgia, crossing over to Halibut Bank. This plan ultimately proved very successful, as each boat successfully found their own whales!

Our first sighting of the day was aboard our semi-covered vessel Kula. They encountered a pair of humpbacks travelling along slowly, likely resting as we approached. This appeared to be a mother and calf, with one whale noticeably smaller than the other. These two were not fluking, which would usually make it tricky to confirm their identity. However, the larger of the pair had a very unique dorsal fin, which we used to identify them as Graze (BCY0523) and her 2025 calf (BCY0523 calf 2025).

Nearby, open vessel Cascadia found a humpback of their own, who also appeared to be having a bit of a nap! Using a combination of their highly unique dorsal fin and occasional fluke photo, we identified this humpback as Nalu (BCY1072). Nalu is a confirmed female, with her first calf recorded by her side in 2022. It is possible that Nalu may be pregnant right now and is busy resting and feeding in preparation to give birth this winter. We will keep our eyes peeled and fingers crossed, eager to see if we get to meet a little baby Nalu next year!

Our other open vessel, Keta, encountered a humpback whale travelling alone south of Halibut Bank. This individual was travelling along, fluking high as they went. This whale was Dalmatian (BCY0994), a confirmed male humpback, and the 2015 calf of Heather (BCY0160). Dalmatian was travelling south today, occasionally zig-zagging as he went. At one point, Dalmatian, similarly to Graze and Nalu, began napping. His nap was incredible to witness, as he slowly lowered most of his body below the water. Dalmatian was nearly invisible as he floated along, with only a tiny sliver of his back visible above the surface.

Sleeping for humpbacks is different from how we imagine it. Humpbacks partake in what is known as unihemispheric slumber, or sleeping with only half of the brain at a time. The other half of the brain stays awake and active. This is important (and required) because humpbacks are voluntary breathers, meaning they consciously think about each and every breath they take in their lives. Because of this, the half of their brain that remains active is in charge of lifting the body, taking a big breath out and in, and slowly lowering it back down. Besides half of the brain sleeping, only one eye of the whale rests at a time, too - the other eye stays vigilant, scanning the area in case of danger.

After Kula and Keta departed their humpbacks, they began exploring again and found even more humpbacks! Kula had located Moresby (KEY0055), the 2022 calf of Big Momma (BCY0324), while Keta had found Ulli (BCY0946), the 2024 calf of Slits (BCY0946), and Harpy (BCZ0503), the 2020 calf of Raptor (BCY0458). These three were all doing longer dives, likely feeding on krill deep down in the water column, packing on the pounds before they depart our area to head to the breeding grounds in Hawaii and/or Mexico.

Ulli is a bit of a miracle story, as their mother, Slits, was spotted heavily entangled in October 2022. Slits entanglement was very complicated, as the rope was wrapped through her mouth, with rope coming out on both sides and a buoy at the end of it - similarly to the bit on a horse’s bridle. The Marine Mammal Rescue team worked tirelessly, and eventually she was freed. If Slits had not been successfully rescued, Ulli would never have been born, and we never would have been able to meet this beautiful young whale!

Moresby’s legacy is also quite impressive, as his mother, Big Momma, was one of the first humpbacks recorded returning to our area back in the late 1990s. For several decades, it was incredibly rare to spot a humpback in the Strait of Georgia. In the late 1990s, a handful of humpbacks returned, seemingly checking the area to see if it was safe. They left and returned to their breeding grounds, then returned the following season with calves and others in tow, in an event we have now lovingly dubbed the “Humpback Comeback”. There are now hundreds of humpbacks that return to our little piece of the ocean every summer, feeding and frolicking before they head out once more to repeat the cycle.

Shortly after, our vessels said goodbye to their humpbacks, and headed on out. The excitement wasn’t over for the day, however, as they cruised over to have a peek at our pinnipeds next. They located Harbour Seals and Steller Sea Lions today, both of which were lounging away, enjoying the late summer sunshine and warmth. Occasionally, a large male Steller Sea Lion would lumber along, growling and postering on smaller individuals to get them out of the way, so he could claim the ‘best’ napping spot on the rocks. There were also several bird species spotted as well, including Cormorants sunbathing, Red-necked Phalaropes picking at algae and bugs, Turkey Vultures quietly examining the landscape, and a grumpy Great Blue Heron posturing on the docks.

We headed back to Nanaimo, cruising along the pristine waters, taking in the beauty of the coast as we concluded our day’s adventures.

Please enjoy these photos of our gentle giants (and other wildlife) taken by Marine Naturalists Cheyenne Brewster, Vanessa Vereschahen, and Aly Kohlman!

September 8, 2025, 10:30 AM - Perfect Conditions with perfect whales!