August 31, 2026, 10:30 AM - A Day of Humpbacks, Orca, and an Unexpected Hunt

The Strait of Georgia had plenty in store for us today. Our boats left Nanaimo and headed across the water toward the entrance to Howe Sound, where we hoped to find some of the whales moving through the area. Before long, we came across three familiar humpbacks: Geometry (BCZ0338), Harpy (BCZ0503) and her 2026 calf.

The trio were spending time together in the Strait, associating and feeding as they moved through the water. Humpbacks can be surprisingly social, sometimes travelling or feeding alongside one another for extended periods before separating again. While these associations don't always last, they offer an opportunity to observe how individual whales use the same feeding grounds and respond to others' presence.

We enjoyed wonderful views of the three whales as they surfaced and continued feeding. Harpy’s calf was never far from the action, offering a glimpse into the early stages of life for a young humpback learning to navigate its surroundings. Calves spend their first months developing the skills they will eventually need to travel, feed, and survive independently, all while remaining closely connected to their mothers.

After spending time with the humpbacks, we continued towards Howe Sound. The landscape changed as we approached the steep-sided coastline, and the wildlife encounter ahead was quite different from what we had just experienced.

Near shore, we found the T099s travelling with T037A4, known as Crinkle.

T037A4 Crinkle ♀ (2015)

T099 ♀ Bella ( ~1984)
T099B ♀ Holly (2007)
T099C ♂ Barakat (2009)
T099D ♂ Puck (2015)
T099E ♀ Qwiin qwiin oo qwii la (2021)

The orca were spread out slightly as they moved through the area, giving us the chance to observe different members of the group as they surfaced and travelled. Their movements seemed steady, and for a time, it felt like we were simply watching another travelling encounter.

Then, everything changed.

The orca came across a harbour porpoise, and the encounter quickly turned into a hunt. We watched the porpoise get punted into the air as the orca worked with others to secure its meal. Although the moment was dramatic, it also reminded us that these whales are predators whose lives are shaped by the search for food.

Bigg’s killer whales, including the T099s, are known for their varied marine-mammal diet. Their prey can include harbour seals, sea lions, dolphins, and porpoises, as well as other whales. Hunting often involves coordinated movements and communication between members of a group, though the strategies they use can differ depending on the prey and the circumstances.

Once the hunt was over, the T099s and Crinkle resumed their northward journey. The transition was almost astonishing. One moment, the whales were engaged in an intense burst of activity; the next, they were travelling onward as though nothing unusual had happened. For the orca, this was simply part of the rhythm of life in the ocean: travelling, searching, feeding, and continuing on.

With the whales moving north, it was time for us to begin our own journey home. We crossed the Strait of Georgia once again, leaving Howe Sound behind and making our way back towards Nanaimo.

From a peaceful association between three humpbacks to an unexpected orca hunt near shore, the day offered a glimpse into several very different aspects of life in the Salish Sea. Throughout the encounter the Marine Naturalists Desarae Poier and Aly Kohlman captured some great photos which are available below.

Geometry surfacing in the Strait. Photo by Desarae Poier.

Geometry’s dorsal fin with Harpy exhaling behind him. Photo by Desarae Poier.

T099E Qwiin qwiin oo qwii la surfacing with T099D Puck. Photo by Desarae Poier.

A great look at T037A4 Crinkle. Photo by Desarae Poier.

Just look at how messed up T037A4 Crickle’s dorsal fin is. Photo by Desarae Poier.

The T099s surfacing together, with T099B Holly, T099C Barakat, T099D Puck, and T099 Bella. Photo by Desarae Poier.

Y099D Puck surfacing with T099B Holly. Photo by Desarae Poier.

T099D Puck leading the way, followed by T099C Barakat, T099 Bella, and T099E Qwiin qwiin oo qwii la. Photo by Desarae Poier.

T099 Bella surfacing with her oldest son, T099C Barakat. Photo by Desarae Poier.

T099B Holly surfacing beside her brother, T099C Barakat. Photo by Desarae Poier.

T099 Bella surfacing with T099D Puck and T099E Qwiin qwiin oo qwii la. Photo by Desarae Poier.

T099D Puck out in front, with T099B Holly, T099 Bella, and T099C Barakat following behind. Photo by Desarae Poier.

T099B Holly and T099C Barakat surfacing side by side. Photo by Desarae Poier.

T099C Barakat making a splash as he surfaces.Photo by Aly Kohlman.

T099 Bella surfacing close to shore. Photo by Aly Kohlman.

T037A4 Crinkle swimming by. Photo by Aly Kohlman.

One of the whales hitting a harbour porpoise out of the water. Photo by Aly Kohlman.

A slightly blurry look that shows the porpoise really well. Photo by Aly Kohlman.

Porpoising during the hunt. Photo by Aly Kohlman.

T099D Puck, T099B Holly, and T099E Qwiin qwiin oo qwii la surfacing together. Photo by Aly Kohlman.

T099B Holly between her two brothers, T099C Barakat and T099D Puck. Photo by Aly Kohlman.

A lovely look at the T099s in front of the ferry terminal. Photo by Aly Kohlman.