Magical day with resident orcas: A5's and I15's and breaching humpback whales!

This morning we enjoyed some wonderful viewing of the A5 pods (A42's, A23's & A25's) and this afternoon the I15's. After watching the two juvenile river otters at the dock in Alder Bay this morning we headed out, the fog  swirled in and out but did not obscure our viewing. We saw a humpback whale briefly but carried on in the direction of Lizard Point where orcas had earlier been reported. It was with surprise and delight to suddenly see orcas ahead of us and they were well east of Lizard Point. We identified them as the A5's, all of them were together,  moving steadily along and we observed some wonderful interactions between them with tail slapping and multiple spyhopping. They were soon at Donegal Head and then Stubbs Island, passing into Weynton Passage. Two more humpback whales were sighted feeding along the edge of the Plumper Islands in Weynton Passage while the orcas continued on their way through and we watched as they entered into Johnstone Strait. On the afternoon tour we met up with the I15's who had been making their way slowly down from Lizard Point and we so enjoyed our time with them as well as five or more humpback whales and stellar sea lions who were in the same area with whales. The humpback whales were active and it was immensely exciting for our passengers to witness the awesomeness of one of them breaching nearby! Also seen today: stellar sea lions, dall's porpoises, harbour seals, rhinoceros auklets, common murres, red-necked phalaropes, black oyster catchers, black turnstones, fork-tailed storm petrels, gull species, bald eagles and two eaglets who are moving about, going in and out of their nest! Today's penned comments: We are so glad 'our' playful pod of orcas emerged from the fog! Thanks for your expertise and for keeping us warm and well fed so that we could focus on the wildlife and whales.                           ~ Nancy and Nick, Quebec

We came from far away to see whales, orcas and sea lions. It was our lucky day! Thank you very much for this great trip. ~ Kaeppeli Family, Switzerland

Absolutely mind-blowing, humpbacks breaching, oodles of orcas, sea lions and more! Fantastic muffins and perfect scones and best of crew. Thanks, we'll be back. ~ George and Trish, Port Alberni, BC