Wednesday, April 30

Both the our large vessels, the Orca Spirit and the Pacific Explorer, headed east after a report of orcas came in earlier that morning. Right away we found ourselves enjoying harbour seals and a large bald eagle as they utilize the shore line of Trial Island for hunting and resting. After getting a great look at the 100 year old light house, on the southern tip of the island, we continued east in our search. We stopped to view the many sea birds that use the Great Chain Islands (a protected bird sanctuary) as a home and feeding ground. We saw such birds as pigeon guillemots, cormorants, Canadian geese and gulls. From there we headed north east to the Chattam and Discovery Islands. These two islands offer much in the way of beautiful scenery, but top the charts with their amazing historical significants in our area (both were named after boats first used to explore our area between 1792 and 1794). We then headed out into the middle of the Haro Strait looking for other larger marine life. We were unable to find any whales but all the guests on board were thrilled with all the animals and fabulous coast line that British Columbia has. We made our way back along Ogdan Point and into the Victoria harbour and called it a day, until tomorrow.....

Tuesday, April 29

On today's tour we headed west of Victoria in search of the many marine wildlife that the west coast of Canada has to offer. We began by searching the shoreline in the hopes to locating transient orcas as they patrolled the area for food. We made our way as far west as Beacher Bay where we saw many harbour seals hauled out on the rocks enjoying the beautiful sun. We were even lucky enough to get a good look at a new pup. From there we headed into a near by cove called Whirl Bay. We had a good look at a large bald eagle's nest (about 6 feet deep and 9 feet across). As we were getting ready to leave this nice little cove a bald eagle came flying in, what an amazing view. From here we headed off shore looking for resident orcas humpbacks and porpoises. With little in the way of large marine mammals, we found ourselves close to a marine park called Race Rocks. Once inside the small passes and islands we were very happy to find some large elephant seals (about 5) and many stellar sealions in the water and on the rocks. We had a great time as they all swam, fought for space on the rocks and made much noise. All in all another great day on the water.

Saturday, April 26

Well what a fantastic morning to be out on the water this bright sunny Saturday. Conditions were great, with bright blue skies and flat calm waters. The 'Orca Spirit' went out with Captain John at the helm, marine naturalist Tim, and a bunch of eager passengers enjoying this Victorian Spring sunshine. We headed south out of the Harbor to the Strait of Juan De Fuca and looped around to Race Rocks where there was an abundance of Harbor Seals hauled out on the southern rocks. On the middle rock we observed around 20 Stellar Sea Lions that were quite active, and in amongst them was some very noisy Californian Sea Lions, barking to let us know they're not the only eared seal on the rock. A rare and exciting sight was in fact half a dozen juvenile Elephant Seals that were hauled out on the top rock, but instead of seeing them laying there lounging around, they actually had their heads held high showing off their proboscis and were giving each other a few snarls and nips on the neck. 'Twas certainly a pinniped infested haul-out!

After Race we proceeded to head further west along the spectacular coastline and were able to observe Bald Eagles in flight and perched on a rock, and we were lucky enough to see a raccoon on the rocks. Passengers certainly didn't expect to see land mammals on a marine wildlife tour! All in all though a great trip on this sunny spring Saturday morning.

After our fantastic morning wildlife tour, we received word that a large group of transient orcas had been located moving southbound in Haro Strait. Heading east, we travelled to Zero Rock, a harbour seal haulout and known transient hunting locale. We arrived on scene to find a group of whales that included Pender (T14), probably the most well known transient on the coast of BC. Fortunately (for the harbour seals anyways), the orcas did not appear to be hungry and were content to swim slowly southbound.

We travelled with the whales for almost an hour travelling slowly south with them and we were treated to some excellent passes. Besides Pender, we saw members of the T36 and T49 group, including at least one young calf, about eight orcas total. It was a sight to behold as these whales travelled in a resting formation. As an additional stop on the tour, we travelled to Chatham Island, where we viewed many harbour seals hauled out on the low tide. It was a great way to conclude the trip as our guests were able to see the majestic transient orcas and their favourite prey. After a nice cruise by Trial Island and a majestic bald eagle sighting we headed back to the harbour. It was another great day on the Orca Spirit.

Friday, April 25

I believe spring may have finally arrived in Victoria! After a slow start to spring, we enjoyed a beautiful sunny morning as we headed out on our newest adventure. We had word, from local fisherman, that a group of approximately 4 transient Orcas were heading east towards Victoria in the Strait of Juan De Fuca.

After a search involving 3 boats, we came across not 4, but 8 Orcas off Vancouver Island's Beechy Head. Traveling together were mature females (4 tons, 23 feet in length), juvenile males (3 tons, 18 feet in length) and 2 calves ( at birth 400lbs, 6.5 feet in length). As the view continued, the crew were able to identify the group as the T49A's and the T36's. We enjoyed these large graceful mammals as they traveled the shore line in search for food, generally smaller marine mammals such as Seals, Sealions and Porpoise. All the guests on board were able to get a great understanding of the behavour, while capturing photos that will last a life time.

Once a great view was had by all, we traveled back towards Victoria, only to visit Race Rocks where we stopped to take a look at other marine mammals. We were able to see the Seals and Sealions, giving the guests a better understanding of our circle life on this coast. All the animals hauled out on the rocks were also the major food source for the previously viewed transient orcas. What a great way to end an amazing tour.

Wednesday, April 23

Our guests and crew had another great day out on the water. We started our search for wildlife by heading east out of the Victoria Harbour. We quickly meet up with some amazing harbour seals hauled out on the rock surrounding Trial Island. We were happy to see a variety of young and old, ranging from newborns (25 lbs, 2.5 feet in length) to mature males and females (300+ lbs, 5.5 feet in length). All the while enjoying the beautiful view of the 100 year old light house that marks the most southern tip of the island.

From here we headed off shore in search of any other marine life we could find. This brought us to a marine park south west of Victoria's harbour, known as Race Rocks. It too has a large light house (lite in 1860) but even more spectacular was the abundance of marine life found here. We were able to view California Sealions (1000lbs), Stellar Sealions (2000lbs) and the amazing Elephant Seal (5000lbs) in their natural habitat as they lay in the sun anf fish in the bull kelp rich waters. We were even able to get a great look at an immature Bald Eagle as it perch its molted brown body with its early stages of white head feathers while over looking the waters in search of a big fish for lunch.

All in all another successful day of wildlife viewing in the waters surrounding the sounthern tip of Vancouver Island.

Tuesday April 22nd

With a full boat load dominated by passengers from ‘Down Under’ we headed out to the Strait in search of some Pacific Northwest marine life. Conditions were somewhat choppy but passengers enjoyed it, not as much as the complimentary hot chocolates though! We scanned the open Strait and the coastline and managed to track down a Harbor porpoise just south-west of Race Rocks. We looped around Beecher Bay and came across a Bald Eagle perched up on a rock, and were lucky enough to see it take off and soar through the air with its almost 7 ft wingspan. We then headed across to Race Rocks where there were around 20 Northern Sea Lions being quite playful and vocal. We were fortunate enough to witness some aggressive behaviour and also a few hauling out and moving about the rock. There were a few Californian Sea Lions on the rock, as were 4 juvenile Elephant Seals and plenty of Harbor Seals on the neighbouring rocks.
‘Twas a pinniped fiesta, with true seals and eared seals galore! It’s truly amazing the species richness in this region of the world, and the passengers certainly were able to appreciate this.

Monday April 21st

The Pacific Explorer headed out of Victoria Harbor early this morning with Captain Brad at the helm and marine naturalist Tim on his first solo trip. The decision was made to head south towards Port Angeles as it was relatively calm.
We made it past the Canadian/US border but fortunately no US Customs officials were there to check our passports. We headed west up the Strait of Juan De Fuca with eyes peeled and constantly scanning the horizon. We looped around inshore to Whirl Bay where there were a few lone Harbor Seals sunbathing on the rocks and then headed across to Race Rocks to see what may be hauled out there. We were in luck, with around 30 male Stellar Sea Lions with heads held high and being quite vocal. It’s great to still see them this time of year as we know very soon they will leave us for a few months to go further north for mating.
There were also 3 juvenile Elephant seals on the top of the rock, no doubt here to moult before they make their long migration out to sea over summer. A few male California Sea Lions were also amongst the Stellar’s, and were also quite vocal with their distinctive ‘dog-like’ bark.
A very pinniped dominant trip, and the passengers sure were impressed with the diversity of seals and sea lions they saw.

A "grayt" whale of a day
Friday April 11th, 2008

For the first time this season we had two boats head out on a 9am trip from Victoria. It was the first trip of the season for 'MV Orca Spirit', with Captain John at the helm and marine naturalists Sheenah and Chelsea aboard. 'MV Pacific Explorer' was captained by Brad with marine naturalists Cheri and Tim also aboard. So with full crew and full passengers we headed out to the calm waters of the Salish Sea, not knowing what the trip would bring us. We headed east to Trial Island where we observed several Harbor Seals hauled out on the rocks and a few playing around in the water. We were also were able to see a lone Bald Eagle perched up on a sign pole. We then proceeded to head in a south-westerly direction towards Constance Bank, with water conditions perfect for spotting whales. Once out into the Strait of Juan De Fuca we headed inshore to Beecher Bay. As we looped around the small island in the middle of the bay, with the water looking like glass, beautiful coastline and spectacular Olympic mountain ranges in the background, it really did look like a scene from a postcard. Very picturesque to say the least! As we headed back east to Race Rocks Ecological Reserve we hear the scream "whale!". As I looked inshore to confirm the sighting, we had indeed come across a gray whale, slowly making it's way along the coastline, westbound towards the Pacific. Being the only boats out on the water we were able to observe this gray whale forage and even show off it's tail-fluke for all to see. With the passengers on a high we proceeded to head to Race Rocks where we observed more than 10 male Stellar Sea Lions, a couple of Californian Sea Lions, a couple of Elephant Seals, and several Harbor Seals all hauled out on the same rock. Four species of pinniped on one rock, you can't get much more diverse than that! So with crew and passengers witnessing some spectacular marine life off this "species rich" southern coast of Vancouver Island, all in all it was a great trip.

(written by Tim, marine naturalist)

NEW FOR 2008
Lunch & Dinner Cruises Onboard the
MV PAcific Explorer

Orca Spirit Adventures is excited to be partnered with the Blue Crab Catering to offer group lunch and dinner cruises in Victoria's Inner Harbour. With a capacity of 70 passengers these cruises are a 'must do' activity for your group!
Here are some photos of our first lunch cruise this season - it was DELICIOUS!