It was a gloomy day in the Victoria but the water was calm and the whales were active!

Today felt like deja vu! The same Biggs orca pod and juvenile humpback whale were still hanging out a race Rocks, super cool! The whales visit the area because of its abundance of food; big and small. The base of the food chain consists of microscopic zooplankton that the humpbacks gorge themselves on throughout the winter. The mammal eating orca’s are here to feed on the many marine mammals that inhabit the Salish Sea, including seals, sea lions, and porpoise! The orca’s were identified as the T109’s and consists of 7 whales, three of whom are confirmed to be female.

~ Stay tuned!

Another great day on the water!! It began with sunny skies and calm seas, but into the afternoon the winds picked up and brought some rain clouds.

Whales were everywhere (yet again!), so in the morning the fleet went east to encounter the southern residents. They were seen fishing around the San Juan Islands, spread out through a channel corralling their next catch. We hope they are finding enough prey to sustain the energy needed to thrive!

By the afternoon there was a humpback whale and Biggs orca within 900 m from each other right near Race Rocks Ecological reserve!!!! It was incredible to observe so much life in one glance, and crazy to imagine what was taking place below. The orca pod was being very active at the surface, after catching their next meal they were seen frolicking through kelp beds and tail slapping!

~ Stay tuned!

The sun was shining and the waters were calm as the fleet headed out. Reports of orca and humpback whales came in early so we were excited to get out there!

West of Sooke there are a lot of humpbacks feeding in the Juan de Fuca Strait, on the morning tour passengers got lucky and witnessed a breach! There were whale blows and tail flukes as far as the eye could see.

The mammal eating Biggs orca were also out west, seen snacking on their latest meal. The pod was identified as the T60’s and includes the 38 year old matriarch, her 17 year old son and 3 younger calves (still not sexed). They were spread out scanning the area and the youngest of the group shadowed their older brother to perfect their hunting skills.

~ Stay tuned!

September is flying by and the whale encounters have yet to slow down! It was a beautiful sunny day with calm seas.

East of Victoria the Southern Residents were seen fishing off the San Juan Islands! This orca ecotype specializes in hunting salmon, and as the rainfall becomes more frequent salmon come back to spawn in the coastal freshwater rivers. The mammal eating orcas were also around seen searching for their next meal.

There is a large ‘honeypot’ of humpback whales feeding in the Juan de Fuca Strait past Sooke. Its incredible to see so many large mammals in one place!

The guests on BC Orca had a lucky encounter with a Northern fur seal, so cool!! This species common range is Alaska and northern BC, perhaps it is lost?

Dont forget to use our Fall promo code ‘WHALESALE’ to save 20% on your whale watching tour!

~ Stay tuned!!

A day full of rain, clouds, and sunshine, typical for this time of year as we transition into Fall. Our captains were excited to leave the dock and set out for another day on the water!

There were a lot of Biggs orca in the area and we got to encounter several family groups throughout the day. Each pod on a never-ending quest to find their next snack, scanning the shorelines for harbour porpoise and seals. Most of the action takes place underwater but when it spills over at the surface it is always exciting to see!!

We end our season October 31st but there is still plenty of fun to be had, save 20% on your whale watching adventure by using the promo code WHALESALE when booking online!

~ Stay tuned!

Saturday began with grey gloomy skies and it rained all morning. By the afternoon the fog lifted and the sun came out.

We headed out west in the morning to see the large group of humpbacks feeding in the mouth of the Juan de Fuca Strait. There was over 50 individuals present and the water was so clear they could be seen frolicking in their environment. Behaviours above the surface included fin slapping, tail lobbing and lunge feeding.

In the afternoon BC Luna headed north to check out the Resident orcas as they made their way down Georgia Strait. They were seen socializing with one another and even breached a few times.

~Stay tuned!

Its really feeling like Fall around here! The day began with sunny skies but by the afternoon rain clouds moved over Victoria. Go thing our fully enclosed zodiac, BC Luna was scheduled to go out, and our passengers stayed warm and dry in the heated cabin!

We had the chance to encounter Biggs orca foraging throughout the Salish Sea! This ecotype eats marine mammals, so they live in small pods of roughly 3-4 individuals and work together to hunt. An incredible sight to see these top predators at work!

There are so many humpback whales feeding west of Sooke, in the mouth of the Juan de Fuca Strait. Over 50 individuals have been hanging out in loose aggregations as they feed before leaving on their long migratory journey to southern waters.

~ Stay tuned!

Things are beginning to cool down as we move through September, the air is crisp and rainfall is more frequent. Rain triggers salmon populations to make their way into the Salish Sea before moving into the freshwater rivers to spawn, which means the whales will follow!

The Residents are back in the area, and with heavy hearts we are sad to say that there are only 74 individuals left. J50, the small calf of J pod was last seen on Friday the 7th, and although her family has been seen in the area since, sadly she is no longer there and has been declared dead. Members from all 3 southern resident orca pods were seen throughout the day fishing for their favorite salmon, Chinook!! We hope they are finding the food they need to survive.

Passengers on our afternoon tour got the opportunity to witness a sea lion snacking on a fish at the surface. They often whip their head back and forth to subdue and eat their prey, super cool!

~ Stay tuned!