Ocean Magic Adventure Sept 8 3:30

Today's Ocean Magic 3:30 trip found us only minutes from the Victoria inner harbour. Turns out that members of L & K pod were on the move across the waterfront eastbound towards San Juan Island. At first they were very spread apart, but did group up and started traveling quickly speed porpoising out of the water, it was an awesome sight! Big males porpoising out of the water together is such a momentous encounter. The animals crossed Victoria and continued past Discovery Island. Some breaches were seen by 1 big male (see photos) as well as more awesome group porpoising including one little wee one who would pop out of the water on their own (see video).

While repositioning the vessel, we stopped to look at a Stellar sealion who was busy feeding on some fish, and would also fling the fish around and tease the seagulls. We then caught up for another look at the last group of traveling killer whales, there were many whales in the area. After having a wonderful time with the killer whales, we ventured south west into the strait in search of humpbacks! Low and behold we found my favorite humpback whale (known as Bart who has a split fin) who was probably with his mother together lounging about. It's amazing for me to see my favorite baleen cetacean and to know that he has returned again - this will be his 4th year in our area. Awesome trip!

Ocean Magic Adventure / Transient Orcas / Sept 1

OK! so it was a bit bouncy during our travel in Sooke but we found them! Captain Anna said we traveled 52 nautical miles - almost to Sheringham Point when we finally caught up with the very fast moving transient killer whales thought to be T37a and family who is made up of females and younger orcas. The animals were traveling fast and against much wind and current. At times the animals stopped to check out what seemed to be prey sources under the water as they were circling around sometimes even spy hopping. One of the larger animals did a fully body lunge out of the water while chasing something, there was definitely some predation going on although we couldn't see what they were after. Passengers were treated to some awesome transient killer whale views, I have not seen these particular transients before so it was pretty exciting for me. With transients you just don't know what they are going to do! On our way home we stopped to look at Race Rocks where the many Stellar and California and some Elephant seals were hauled out. Fabulous trip! Please enjoy the video and photos below which nicely captures our experience of our trip.

Photos from Marie O'Shaughnessy

More beautiful captures by our Guest Marie. As you can see from the photos, humpback whales are quite active lately. What a blessing to witness such a spectacle. Thank you for sharing as I am land locked in concrete jungle - TORONTO!