The Salish Sea kept us on our toes this afternoon as we departed Nanaimo with one goal in mind: relocate the Transient Killer Whales we had encountered earlier in the day. While it can be tempting to think whales stay in one place, Bigg's (Transient) Killer Whales are capable of travelling up to 160 kilometres (100 miles) in a single day. In the hours since our morning tour, they could have covered a tremendous amount of water.

Fortunately, whale watching on the Salish Sea is a true team effort. Operators throughout the region work together by sharing sightings, helping everyone spend more time observing wildlife and less time searching. Thanks to a report from a Vancouver-based whale watching vessel, the whales had been reacquired, and we made our way over to join the encounter.

Sure enough, it was the same family we had seen earlier: the T037As.

T037A Volker ♀ (1994)
T037A2 Inky ♂ (2009)

The whales were travelling spread out across the water, each maintaining plenty of space as they moved steadily through the Strait. We spent much of our encounter with Inky, the impressive adult male of the family. His tall dorsal fin rose cleanly above the waves with every surfacing, making him easy to follow as he cruised through the calm afternoon waters. Watching these whales travel with such purpose is always a reminder of just how perfectly adapted they are to life in the Salish Sea.

Eventually it was time to continue our search for more wildlife. We left the T037As behind and headed toward a nearby land-based report of another killer whale. It didn't take long before another unmistakable black dorsal fin sliced through the surface. While we were on the water, we initially believed this individual to be T077C Neftali. However, after reviewing photographs back at the office, we discovered it was actually T069E Kodiak!

T069E Kodiak ♂ (2004)

Kodiak is one of the more fascinating Bigg's Killer Whales that visit our coast. Unlike most males, who spend nearly their entire lives travelling with their mothers and family groups, Kodiak has spent much of the last while travelling independently. Although he is occasionally reunited with the rest of the T069 family, he is most often encountered alone.

For Bigg's Killer Whales, this solitary lifestyle is possible because of the way they hunt. As stealth predators that specialize in marine mammals, they don't rely on large groups to chase schooling fish. Instead, they use patience, surprise, and remarkable coordination, or, in Kodiak's case, remarkable independence, to locate prey. Watching him travel confidently through the Strait was a wonderful reminder of the adaptability of these incredible animals. Solo whales can often be more difficult to locate than larger family groups, making every encounter with Kodiak feel especially rewarding.

With one final wildlife stop remaining, we made our way to a nearby sea lion haul-out. The rocky shoreline was bustling with activity as hefty Steller Sea Lions sprawled across the rocks. Their peaceful lounging was frequently interrupted by noisy disagreements, with barking, shoving, and plenty of dramatic displays keeping everyone, both sea lions and guests, entertained. It was the perfect energetic finale to a day that had already been filled with unforgettable killer whale encounters.

From family groups to solitary travellers, every day on the Salish Sea tells a different story. Today reminded us that wildlife watching is equal parts teamwork, patience, and a little bit of luck, and when it all comes together, the rewards are unforgettable.

Photos by Aly Kohlman.

July 17, 2026, 3:30 PM - The T037As and T069E Kodiak adventuring in the Strait