Some days on the Salish Sea seem to have a surprise waiting around every corner, and today was certainly one of them. Across our three vessels, we encountered an incredible six humpback whales, multiple Bigg's Killer Whales, a lively T-party, and plenty of other marine wildlife, making for an unforgettable day on the water.

Our adventure began just offshore of Nanaimo near Entrance Island, where Kula, our semi-covered vessel, spotted the first humpback whale of the day. At first glance, the whale seemed content to feed quietly, surfacing only a few times before lifting its tail high into the air and disappearing on a long dive. That spectacular fluke was the only clear look we would get before the whale seemingly vanished. Fortunately, our onboard Naturalist managed to photograph the underside of the tail, allowing us to identify the whale back at the dock as Banya (KEY0074).

Entrance Island may appear to be little more than a rocky outcrop topped with a lighthouse, but beneath the surface lies a productive marine ecosystem. The surrounding waters are rich in plankton, which supports schools of small fish and swarms of krill, the favourite foods of humpback whales. It's a perfect reminder that even the smallest organisms form the foundation of the incredible wildlife we enjoy throughout the Salish Sea.

With Banya continuing a deep feeding dive, our fleet spread out in different directions to maximize our search effort. This strategy allows us to cover more water, and today it paid off in spectacular fashion.

One of our open boats arrived near Halibut Bank to discover not one, but three humpback whales travelling together. The trio consisted of Slice (BCX2487), Corona/Phi (BCX1416), and Smiley (BCY0885), all resting quietly at the surface after what had likely been an active feeding session. Before long, Slice decided the nap was over. With an energetic pectoral fin slap, the whale startled its companions awake before slowly peeling away from the group and continuing north on its own. Corona/Phi and Smiley remained behind, returning to the important business of feeding in the nutrient-rich waters of the Strait.

Meanwhile, Kula located another pair of humpbacks travelling together off Thrasher Rock. These whales were identified as Vivaldi (BCX1704) and Strike (BCX1675), two well-known females that have become familiar visitors to the Salish Sea. The Strait of Georgia provides exceptional feeding habitat thanks to a combination of strong tidal currents, nutrient-rich freshwater flowing from surrounding rivers, and the constant mixing of the water column. Together, these processes fuel enormous blooms of plankton that support everything from tiny krill to the giants of the sea.

While two of our boats were enjoying humpback encounters, our third vessel had different plans. The crew was making its way toward one of our favourite pinniped haul-outs, affectionately known as Stinky Rock, when exciting news crackled over the radio. Killer whales had been spotted nearby.

Changing course, the crew soon found the T077 brothers travelling steadily north along the Valdes Island shoreline. The brothers were making purposeful progress through the calm water, but little did we know the excitement was only just beginning.

T077C Neftali ♂ (2006)
T077E Misneach (2016)

After hearing about the orcas, the vessel that had been watching the trio of humpbacks left the whales behind to join the encounter. Along the way, however, another familiar dorsal fin appeared.

It was Indy (T065A5)!

As the encounter unfolded, even more killer whales arrived until what had started as a simple sighting transformed into one of the most exciting gatherings we could hope for: a T-party.

Soon the T065Bs, the T077 brothers, T077C, T077E, and Indy were all travelling together through the Flat Top Islands. These temporary gatherings between different families are always fascinating to witness, as they provide opportunities for socializing between matrilines that don't spend every day together.

The celebration was impossible to miss.

Breaches erupted across the water. Towering pectoral fin slaps echoed over the Strait. Tail slaps sent spray flying into the air as the whales rolled, surfaced, and interacted with one another. Every direction seemed to offer another incredible behaviour, and before long all three of our vessels had arrived to share in this unforgettable encounter. Watching multiple Bigg's Killer Whale families reunite in such an energetic display is something even seasoned Naturalists never tire of experiencing.

Between whale encounters, every vessel eventually made its way to Stinky Rock, where the resident Steller Sea Lions and Harbour Seals lounged across the rocky shoreline. The sea lions filled the air with their unmistakable barking while younger animals jostled for the best resting spots, providing another wonderful opportunity to observe the rich diversity of life that calls the Salish Sea home.

As if the day hadn't already delivered enough excitement, the vessel that first located the killer whales was rewarded with one final humpback encounter before returning to Nanaimo. Waiting offshore were none other than Smiley and Corona/Phi, the same pair that had earlier been travelling with Slice. After an eventful afternoon, the two whales continued feeding peacefully as the sun began its slow descent.

By the end of the day, our fleet had encountered six individual humpback whales, multiple families of Bigg's Killer Whales, an unforgettable T-party, Steller Sea Lions, Harbour Seals, and countless seabirds. Days like today are a perfect reminder that no two adventures on the Salish Sea are ever the same. Whether it's a humpback disappearing on a deep dive, a surprise gathering of killer whales, or the constant bustle of life along our rocky shorelines, there's always another story waiting just beyond the horizon. Please enjoy all the photos of these encounters captured by the Marine Naturalists Val Watson, Hayleigh Hilbert, and Jordan Robinson, included below.

July 18, 2026, 10:30 AM - T-party formation plus a handful of humpbacks

Banya

Smiley, Corona/Phi, Slice

Vivaldi and Strike

T065A5, T065Bs, and T077 Brothers

Stinky Rock