This afternoon, we set out with reports of orca inside the southern Gulf Islands, so we pointed our bow south and began our search in Stuart Channel. It didn’t take long before tall black dorsal fins broke the surface; we had found the T019s.

T019 Nootka ♀ (~1965)
T019B Galiano ♂ (1995)
T019C Spouter ♂ (2001)

The T019s are a well-known Bigg’s (Transient) orca family that has been frequenting the Salish Sea for decades. When we first encountered them, the whales were spread out across the channel. This is a common hunting strategy for Bigg’s orca, who specialize in marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, and porpoises. By fanning out, they increase their chances of detecting prey, and if one whale makes a find, the others can quickly join the hunt.

As we watched, Nootka made her presence known with a powerful tail slap: a loud, percussive sound that echoed across the water. Whether it was a signal to regroup or simply a burst of surface activity, it got the family’s attention. Soon after, the three whales came together and continued travelling side by side, their tall dorsal fins slicing the calm water in unison.

After spending time with the T019s, we continued into the Strait of Georgia, making a stop to visit some of the other residents of the Salish Sea: pinnipeds (the group that includes seals and sea lions).

Harbour seals were hauled out at a familiar site nicknamed Stinky Rock. True to its name, this rocky outcrop often smells strongly of seals that spend their time resting and digesting between foraging trips. Harbour seals are the most abundant marine mammal in the Salish Sea and also one of the main prey items for Bigg’s orca.

At the UM buoy, we found a group of Steller sea lions. Much larger than harbour seals, these massive pinnipeds can reach over 2,000 lbs in weight. In late summer and fall, they return from their northern breeding rookeries to spend the season in the Strait, feeding on fish such as herring and salmon. Their deep roars and bellowing calls carried across the water as they jostled for space on the buoy.

Not long after leaving the sea lions behind, we were treated to another highlight of the day: a humpback whale sighting. It was Zig Zag (BCX1193), a well-known whale in our region, travelling with her 2025 calf.

At first, the pair were resting at the surface, a behaviour often called “logging” because the whales resemble floating logs. This quiet moment gave us a good chance to take in the size and stillness of the whales. Suddenly, Zigzag broke the calm with a dramatic breach: launching her massive body out of the water and landing with an enormous splash. Breaching is still not fully understood, but it may serve multiple purposes, including communication, parasite removal, or play. Whatever the reason, it was an unforgettable moment.

With the sun lowering in the sky, we made our way back to Nanaimo, travelling along the scenic coastline of Gabriola Island. The afternoon had given us a little bit of everything: orca, pinnipeds, and humpbacks, a wonderful reminder of the biodiversity found here in the Salish Sea.

Photos from today’s tour were captured by our onboard Marine Naturalists: Val Watson, Vanessa Vereschahen, and Hayleigh Hilbert. Please enjoy!