The whole fleet was off the dock this morning with a bit of wind, but as it turned out, an abundance of whales more than made up for the breeze. We hadn’t been on the water long when fins appeared right around the corner from home, patrolling the shores of Saysutshun Island.

Saysutshun (Newcastle Island) is a small but culturally rich island just off Nanaimo. For thousands of years, it was used by the Snuneymuxw First Nation as a place for seasonal harvesting, village life, and spiritual gatherings. Today, the island is a provincial marine park, a haven for hikers, campers, and paddlers who come to explore its network of trails and sandy beaches. The sheltered waters around Saysutshun make it an important spot for both people and wildlife, so it felt fitting to find our first orca of the day here.

The orca we spotted were the T036A1s and T099B, a small group of transient killer whales known for their skill and determination. The orca present were:

T099B Holly ♀ (2007)

T036A1 Tierna ♀ (2005)
T036A1A Drift ♂ (2022)

When we arrived on scene, it quickly became clear that these ladies were not simply travelling; they were hunting. And not just any prey. They were locked in on a Steller Sea Lion.

Steller Sea Lions are the largest of the sea lion species, with males weighing in at over 2,500 pounds and stretching up to 3 meters in length. They are not easy meals. A Steller will fight back with powerful lunges and sharp teeth, sometimes turning the tables on their predators. Hunting one requires immense strength, stamina, and strategy. For just three orca, one of whom is a 3-year-old calf, this was an ambitious target.

But Holly, T099B, has a reputation in the Salish Sea. She is known for her boldness and skill. In fact, not long ago, her family, the T099s, joined forces with the T065As to bring down a minke whale. You can read about it here.

The hunt of a minke whale is one of the most dramatic sights in the ocean. Like wolves, orca work as a coordinated pack. They take turns chasing and harassing the whale, driving it to exhaustion. At critical moments, they launch themselves onto its back, preventing it from surfacing for air. It is a high-stakes pursuit that requires endurance, effective communication, and teamwork.

While such a hunt is intense, it plays an important ecological role. A single minke whale provides not only a feast for the orca but also for the broader ecosystem. The uneaten remains sink to the seafloor, creating “whale fall.” This sudden bounty supports deep-sea communities of fish, crabs, worms, and countless other scavengers, sustaining them for years. What may look brutal to us is, in fact, a crucial transfer of energy within the marine food web.

After witnessing the incredible spectacle of these three orca working together on their sea lion prey, we left them to dine and celebrate their well-earned meal and resumed our search to the south.

Our luck continued when more fins surfaced close to home yet again. This time, it was the T075Bs in Gabriola Pass. The whales present were:

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

At first, their energetic surface activity had us wondering if we might be in for another hunt. But as we watched, it became clear their behaviour was more playful than predatory.

This family has a very new calf, just a couple of months old, and calves are often more surface-active than adults. Because they don’t yet have thick layers of insulating blubber, young orcas stay warm through movement, often bounding, rolling, and splashing in ways that delight their families and observers alike. For us, it was a joy to watch this little one showing off while the rest of the family orbited protectively nearby. After what seemed like a brief play session in the pass, the family made a sharp turn and exited as quickly as they had entered, slipping back into travel mode. Perhaps they were on their way to join up with the others we had seen earlier.

Our day wasn’t done yet. As we continued south, we stopped to check in with our pinnipeds. Large Steller Sea Lions hauled out on a buoy, their deep growls carrying across the water, while California Sea Lions crowded together on the log booms. These haul-outs are chosen carefully, floating platforms that rise and fall with the tide allow the sea lions to stay safely out of the water, away from lurking orca. The log booms also offer sun-warmed rest, while the buoy provides a perfect vantage point for keeping an eye on the surroundings.

Back at the dock, we were met with one last surprise. A group of mischievous river otters were attempting to break into boats moored at the marina, no doubt searching for snacks or cozy hiding spots. Their playful antics were a reminder that the Salish Sea is alive with stories, big and small, from the massive migrations of whales to the everyday mischief of local wildlife.

From the historic shores of Saysutshun to dramatic hunts and playful calves, today offers a glimpse into the incredible variety of life that thrives here. Each encounter, whether with orca, sea lions, or even cheeky otters, speaks to the delicate balance of predator, prey, and place that defines the Salish Sea. Days like this remind us why protecting these waters is so important: because every ripple tells a story worth safeguarding.

Photos below taken by Hayleigh Hilbert, Jordan Robinson and Desarae Poier.

September 13, 2025, 10:30 AM - A meal in the SOG and playful orca in the Pass.