Another beautiful day greeted us as we left Nanaimo aboard our open boat and set out on another adventure. We decided to begin by heading east, travelling over the top of Gabriola Island and following its coastline as we searched the surrounding waters for wildlife.

Earlier that morning, a shore-based report had come in of a pair of orcas travelling north near Gabriola Island. With that information in mind, we made our way towards the general area, keeping our eyes peeled for any signs of the whales. As we continued along the coastline, something eventually caught our attention, although it wasn't quite what we had been expecting. Rather than the unmistakable black dorsal fins of orcas cutting through the water, it was the tall, bushy blows of humpback whales that appeared ahead of us.

This time of year, it's not unusual to encounter both species in the Strait of Georgia, but finding so many humpbacks gathered in one area was an impressive sight. Six whales were spread across two distinct groups: Hecate (BCX0470), her calf (BCX0470calf2026), and Dalmatian (BCY0994) formed one group, while Ghost (BCX1333), her calf (BCX1333calf2026), and Incognito (BCX2053) made up the other.

When we first arrived, the whales appeared to be engaging in some shallow feeding, moving through the area as they searched for food. As we watched, however, Hecate, her calf, and Dalmatian seemed to settle into a resting behaviour. It was a lovely opportunity to observe the different ways humpbacks use these productive waters, whether they are feeding or taking a break between bouts of activity.

While we were enjoying the humpback encounter, we finally spotted the orcas we had originally been searching for, travelling in the distance. With our attention now drawn back to the pair, we left the humpbacks behind and made our way over to catch up with them.

As we approached, their distinctive dorsal fins came into view, allowing us to identify the two males:

Although Jude and Amir belong to different matrilines, the two are no strangers to one another. Back in 2022, they earned the nickname “The Butcher Boys” because of how frequently they were spotted hunting during their travels together. Both males are known to spend time away from their family groups, although Amir is seen returning to his mother's pod more often than Jude.

Their family groups are relatively large by Bigg's orca standards. The T049A family currently has six members, not including Jude and his older brother Noah, who also typically travel independently. The T065A family has four members, excluding Amir and Indy, who likewise spend time away from the group. Both families also have a strong representation of males, which may be one factor worth considering when looking at the independent travels of their members. Of course, every whale has its own social relationships and patterns of movement, and there is no single explanation for why a particular individual chooses to spend time away from its family.

Whatever the reason, it was wonderful to see Amir and Jude travelling together again. Encounters like this offer a glimpse into the social lives of Bigg's orcas, whose relationships can extend beyond their immediate family groups. Even when individuals spend considerable time apart from their mothers and siblings, they may still come together to travel and hunt alongside familiar companions.

After spending some time with the two males, we continued our journey towards Snake Island, where we stopped to observe a group of Harbour Seals hauled out along the rocky shoreline. These smaller marine mammals were making the most of their time on land, resting between trips into the water. Haulout sites like this provide important places for seals to rest, and Snake Island offers a great opportunity to see them doing just that.

Our final stop of the day took us to the Harmac pulp mill, where sea lions were gathered on the nearby log booms, soaking up the sunshine. Both Steller Sea Lions and California Sea Lions were present, sharing this convenient resting spot above the water. For these large marine mammals, haulout sites provide a place to rest, regulate their body temperature, and recover before heading back out to forage.

At this time of year, the annual salmon runs bring an increase in food availability to many of our local waterways, attracting predators looking to take advantage of the seasonal abundance. Sea lions are among the wildlife that can benefit from this influx of prey, and their activity can sometimes be observed from shore as they hunt for their next meal. Keep an eye on the water if you're exploring the coastline this season, as you might be lucky enough to witness one of these feeding opportunities yourself!

From the Harmac pulp mill, it was a short journey back to Nanaimo, bringing our day to a close. Between six humpback whales, two familiar male orcas travelling together, Harbour Seals along the shoreline, and two species of sea lion enjoying the sunshine, we certainly had plenty to smile about.

Please enjoy the photos below, captured throughout the trip by Marine Naturalist Desarae Poier.

October 19, 2026 - Humpbacks and Orca close to Entrance Island