A dynamic day of viewing breaching Orcas, Minke and Humpback Whales!

Today was one of great excitement and of many wonderful and extraordinary sightings on both of our tours. The morning we spent watching the G-Clan I15 resident orcas while they stalled off the top end of Blackfish Sound near the Plumper Islands, spending hours, all of them waiting for a slackening of the ebbing current before they finally made the move to push through Weynton Passage and eventually into Johnstone Strait. Prior to this we enjoyed watching as they rested, the younger orcas jostled amongst one another, tail slapping and spyhoping and porpoising with two playful pacific white-sided dolphins who kept up with them throughout the day and into the afternoon. The interaction between the family members of orcas was wonderful to watch and as they had a leisurely time, so did we watching them and several humpback whales who were in the near vicinity along with a minke whale who was feeding in amongst the orcas. Passengers onboard the morning tour were treated to seeing a number of breaching orcas, a minke whale breach and from a distance two humpback whales breaching as well tail lobbing and pectoral slapping! Adding to the wonder was witnessing a bald eagle with a pink salmon, carrying it to shore and commencing to feed while crows gathered hoping for some tasty morsels! On the afternoon tour we caught up to the I15's at Blinkhorn and enjoyed a quiet and also leisurely time with them as they very slowly made their way to the east. The lighting was soft and warm upon them and the mood was a quiet one and the vocals, G-Clan calls, were superb to listen to, we also heard echolocation when they began waking up and some foraging behaviour was also seen. There were some exquisite and beautiful moments that we observed between family members that made our viewing a special one, there was much playfulness between the younger calves, pectoral slapping and spyhoping was also seen. Also seen today: dalls porpoises with some bow-riding briefly, stellar sea lions, hauled out harbour seals, rhinoceros auklets, common murres, black turnstones, black oyster catchers, red-necked phalaropes, belted kingfishers, bald eagles and gull species. Today's penned comments: Today we got spoilt with a lot of breathtaking sightings - that was just an amazing trip! We saw so many orcas and even breaching minke and humpback whales! Thank you guys for taking us out to these beautiful spots and this unforgettable experience. ~ Cynthia, Switzerland

We were lucky people - so many species we've seen and so many orca's. This I15 - family was really giving a spectacular show with their dolphin friends and one of them trying to jump just like a dolphin. Also the humpback whales were showing all their tricks and high jumps. Together with delicious scones and beautiful weather, we had a great day on this trip. Thanks! ~ Buit Family, Netherlands

Thank you for this beautiful trip. We were so lucky taking this tour with you and seeing all of the whales and dolphins and birds. ~Huber Family, Germany

This trip exceeded my expectations! We saw everything we hoped to see. You certainly made the effort to find the whales and give us great photo opportunities. The whales were co-operative too. Larry and Kelly ~Nanaimo, BC

At the end of our awesome trip (5 weeks from Germany over to New York City to Whitehorse, Alaska etc.) we saw orcas and humpback whales. We loved it and we love to come back again. ~ Herbert and Maike, Germany

Loved every minute of it. That sea lion, those rhinoceros birds, all the whales, the herring balls, the food and everything else. Would come back if I am ever in the area again. That story (the full story) of the humpback whale was awesome! Jessie ~ Ontario, Canada

What an awesome trip. Loved seeing the orcas and humpbacks and enjoying the beautiful day! I loved the muffins and scone treats too! Thank you so much for all you did to make this a great adventure. ~ Sharon, Ontario