July 20, 2026, 10:30 AM - Exploring the Southern Gulf Islands
Another beautiful day awaited us on the Salish Sea; the sun was shining overhead, and we were ready for adventure. Our open boats headed south into the Southern Gulf Islands, searching the narrow passageways between them for wildlife. The boats spread out to cover more water during their search. One boat headed east, while the other stuck to the west side of the islands. Spreading out like this gives us the best chance of coming across something. When we go out and search for the whales, it’s not just us out there looking by ourselves; all of the companies work together.
The rolling landscape around us was awe-inspiring as we continued onward. Soon, we made a couple of stops to see various wildlife. Keta made their way to the Java Islets, a tiny refuge off of Saturna Island. This area is known as a pinniped haulout, where pinnipeds (fin-footed mammals) can get up and out of the ocean to rest. Once we approached, a couple of curious faces popped up and looked back at us. These were Harbour Seals, the most prolific pinniped species in our area. Once hunted extensively, which led to a huge decline in their population, their numbers have now recovered and are once more at a healthy level. They do not migrate from our area, so they are a species we can potentially spot any time of the year on our tours.
Cascadia made their way into Active Pass, a very busy waterway that leads from the inner Gulf Islands out into the Strait of Georgia. Here, they also found some seals of their own.
Continuing onwards through the Gulf Islands, we scanned and scanned. The landscape began to change as we made our way back north. Skirting the shoreline, we made our way to Dodd Narrows. This tiny passage separating Vancouver Island from Mudge Island is frequently traversed by us, as it is the best connecting waterway to the Southern Gulf Islands. The Vancouver Island side is also the end of one of our popular local hikes - the Cable Bay/Joan Point Park trail system.
We searched thoroughly, but unfortunately the whales eluded us today. Heading back into home port, every guest on board received a Sightings Guarantee voucher to join us again in the future!
Please enjoy today’s photos taken by Marine Naturalists Val Watson and Vanessa Vereschahen.
A plump Harbour Seal looking at us. Photo by Val Watson.
The speckled fur of the Harbour Seals means they blend in well with the rocky shoreline. Photo by Val Watson.
A Bald Eagle perched at the top of a tree. Photo by Val Watson.
Preparing for take off. Photo by Val Watson.
The wingspan of a Bald Eagle can be between 6.5 and 8 feet! Photo by Val Watson.
Harbour Seals on the rocks. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.
A Belted Kingfisher flying to their perch. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.
The Belted Kingfisher keeping an eye out for fish. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.
A Harbour Seal and their pup swimming by. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.
A hilarious look at one of the Harbour seals peeking out of the water. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.
Bald Eagles watching from the treetop. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.
Bull Kelp floating in the water. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.
A Bald Eagle watching from their camera couch. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.
Cormorants next to some very cool sandstone formations. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.
More cormorants along the Gabriola Bluffs.