It was a beautiful, calm afternoon as our two vessels headed out into the Strait of Georgia in search of whales. With barely a ripple on the water, we had plenty of opportunities to scan the horizon as we travelled south, following the eastern shores of Gabriola Island and Valdes Island before continuing about halfway down Galiano Island.

It was quite the journey before we finally spotted our first whale, but that single blow quickly turned into two more. Before long, the other vessel had found several humpbacks of their own in the same general area, and it became clear that we had stumbled upon a productive feeding hotspot.

Finding several humpback whales concentrated in one area is actually quite common. Humpback whales are constantly searching for areas where their food is particularly abundant. Once they locate a productive patch, they can spend hours or even days in the area feeding. As more whales discover the same food source and settle in to feed, these productive areas can become temporary humpback hotspots.

That certainly seemed to be happening today. As we watched the whales around us, we could see numerous other blows appearing in the distance. There were far more whales in the general area than the ones we were actively watching, giving us a glimpse of just how productive these waters can become.

The open vessel began with a pair of humpbacks, Europa (BCX0845) and Geometry (BCZ0338), before also spotting Chi (BCZ0575) travelling on his own. All three whales appeared to be feeding when we found them, surfacing several times for a breath before disappearing beneath the surface in search of their next meal.

For humpbacks in the Strait of Georgia, that meal is often krill. These tiny, shrimp-like planktonic crustaceans can gather in enormous concentrations, providing an incredibly rich food source for the whales. A humpback can consume close to a million krill in a single day, and a pregnant female may need even more.

That could be particularly important for Europa. She had a calf with her last year, and humpback pregnancies last approximately 11 months. If she is pregnant again, she may be facing some serious nutritional demands as she builds up the energy reserves needed for both herself and her developing calf. Females will typically have calves every two to three years, making the years between calves an important time to replenish those energy stores.

Chi and Geometry, meanwhile, are both males, so their nutritional requirements are somewhat different. Regardless of who they were or how much they needed to eat, all three whales seemed to have found exactly what they were looking for in this productive patch of the Strait of Georgia.

While the open vessel enjoyed its whales, the semi-covered vessel had its own encounters. They first spotted Piper (HW-MN0445366) travelling independently before coming across a pair of humpbacks, Octo (BCX1920) and Seltzer (BCY1274).

Like the other whales, these humpbacks appeared to be feeding when they were first encountered. But Octo and Seltzer soon decided that simply feeding was not enough. The pair began putting on an energetic display at the surface, breaching, slapping their large pectoral fins against the surface, and even performing chin slaps.

These kinds of energetic displays are not something we see particularly often while humpbacks are busy feeding. At this time of year, these whales are generally focused on taking advantage of the abundant food available to them and building up the energy reserves they will need for their eventual migration.

So why the sudden burst of energy?

There are a few possibilities. Physical displays can play a role in communication between whales, and surface activity may help convey information to nearby individuals. Humpbacks can also use vigorous movements to help dislodge unwanted hitchhikers such as barnacles or whale lice. Or perhaps, just perhaps, Octo and Seltzer were simply enjoying themselves.

We may never know exactly what inspired their energetic acts, but we certainly weren't complaining. Breaches and pectoral slaps can be over almost as quickly as they begin, making every moment of these displays particularly special to witness.

After spending time with the humpbacks, both vessels eventually made their way toward Stinky Rock for another look at some of the other wildlife that calls this area home.

The rocks were covered with seabirds and Harbour Seals, while several Steller Sea Lions had chosen a rather different resting spot. Instead of hauling out on the rocks, they were lounging on a nearby buoy.

That might look like an unusual choice, but there can be some advantages to resting on a floating structure. Unlike the rocks, the buoy isn't exposed and submerged by the tides in the same way. It can provide a stable place to rest while keeping the sea lions close to the rich waters surrounding the reef system at the southern end of Gabriola Island.

From humpbacks feeding in the open waters of the Strait of Georgia to Harbour Seals resting on the rocks and Steller Sea Lions lounging on a buoy, it was a wonderful reminder of just how much life can be found throughout these waters.

Eventually, it was time for both vessels to point their bows back toward Nanaimo Harbour. It had been a long journey south, but the calm conditions and concentrated humpback activity made every kilometre worthwhile.

Throughout the trip, our onboard Marine Naturalists Aly Kohlman and Evan Hessels captured photographs of the incredible wildlife we encountered. We hope you enjoy looking through the photos below and getting a glimpse of this beautiful afternoon on the water!

Aug 13, 2026, 3:30 PM - A humpback party off of Galiano Island

Open Boat:

Semi-covered Boat: