Wednesday, July 30

Today’s tours were spent on the west side of the American Island called San Juan. We watched from the open top and back decks as whales from J and K pod foraged for salmon all around us. On the morning’s tour we had some great looks at J pods large male, Ruffles (J1, 57 yrs old) and Slick (J16) and her 4 offspring, Mike (J26, 17 yrs), Keet (J30, 12 yrs), Alki (J36, 9 yrs) and the newest member of J pod J42 (14 month old female). Then on our afternoon tour we had a close look at individuals from K pod. We enjoyed a close pass from Cappuccino (K21, 22 yrs) and his older sister Raggedy (K40). Then a great sight for all aboard, K14 passed with her family group that includes our youngest member of the southern resident community, K42 (only 8 weeks old). We also took the time to stop at Chain Island where we watched harbour seals as they looked for food in the large bull kelp beds.

Tuesday, July 29

Today’s covered boats headed out into the cool waters surrounding southern Vancouver Island. We traveled as far west as Sheringham Light House and as far east as Whale Rocks and were unable to find our aquatic friends, the whales. But this did not discourage the crew and passengers aboard. We were able to enjoy other marine mammals and birds as we travelled. We stopped for a small group of Dall's porpoises as they played in our wake. We also stopped at places like Discovery Island and the Chain Islands to see the many Harbour seals hauled out on the rocks and others swimming amongst the bull kelp beds. We even got a good look at a large fully mature Bald Eagle. It nice to know we live in such a fabulous area that we can see so much in only 3 hours.