Zodiac Wildlife Adventure 1pm April 19

Today we had two Zodiacs at 1pm. The lead Zodiac, skippered by Brian "Beemer" along with Clint POW photographer, headed out east past Trial Island and on to Whale Rock south of San Juan Island. The second Zodiac, skippered by James "Radar" along with Darcy and Marie POW photographer, headed north east past Oak Bay through the Chain Islands to Turn Point. Both trips enjoyed the warm weather and sunny skies as they viewed the variety of marine wildlife the west coast waters hold. Our guests from Sidney, Edmonton, Germany, Korea, Switzerland, and France took in Dalls Porpoise, Harbor Porpoise, Steller Sea Lions and Harbor Seals. We also spotted some Oyster Catchers, Bald Eagles, Harlequin Ducks and many varieties of Gulls. Just a wonderful wildlife adventure with Prince Of Whales.
Photos by Clint "Orcawizard" and Marie "Orca-Magic"

Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventure April 17

The Friday, 12.15 pm Ocean Magic wildlife adventure, with Capt. Gord in the wheelhouse, headed us out west in search of marine life in these cold, nutrient rich waters. It was an exciting trip for our guests, one full of anticipation. We had heard of an illusive male ORCA, a Transient, that was being viewed by a Zodiac already at Beecher Bay, Metchosin. This animal was identified as T103, a large male, by our very own knowledgeable skipper, 'Mark' in one of the Prince of Whales yellow Zodiacs. We watched it take several breaths at the surface and then disappear for many minutes. A visit to Race Rocks, the protected Marine Reserve gave us good looks at 8 Elephant Seals, and many Harbour Seals lounging on rocks in the sunshine. The tide change and wind created some beautiful colours in the water and added texture to the beautiful, rugged scenery of Vancouver Island. This was another memorable wildlife adventure.'
Photos by Marie "Orca-Magic"

Zodiac Wildlife Adventure April 15

Our ' Wildlife Adventure' on the 1pm Zodiac took us out west on a brilliantly sunny afternoon. Mark, 'Mallard' our experienced and knowledgeable skipper shared his passion for the west coast wildlife with our guests from France, Denmark, Winnipeg, and Vancouver Island. We searched high and low along the rugged Vancouver Island shoreline for the large male Orca that had been seen on an earlier trip, but came up empty. We did however find Bald Eagles, River Otter, Harbour Seals on rocks, Steller and California Sea Lions lounging with four Elephant Seals at Race Rocks, a protected Marine Reserve. Although there was a little ' lumpy ' water out west, the superb scenery throughout the trip was spectacular. It was another memorable experience for our guests with 'Prince of Whales.'
Photos by Marie "Orca-Magic"

Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventure 12:15pm April 13

Our 12:15pm Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventure took us East in search or marine wildlife. Capt Chris soon had us in great a position to view some of Vancouver Islands Cormorants. We then made our way up Haro Strait and caught up with a school of Dall's Porpoise. They were working the the nutrient rich waters off San Juan Island searching for food. Our next stop was to observe a pair of Bald Eagles atop a marker south of Darcy Island. Derek, our First Mate, past on to us all his in depth knowledge of all the marine wildlife we encountered. Our last stop was off Discovery Island to view the abundant Harbor Seal population. Just another wonderful afternoon on the water with Prince Of Whales.
Photos by Clint "Orcawizard"

Zodiac Wildlife Adventure 2pm April 12

It was another exciting day on the water, with the sunny conditions and sightings of the abundant wildlife along the west coast of Vancouver Island. Our two, 2pm Zodiacs left the harbour with 'Mallard' and 'Radar ' at the controls. We headed out east and then north up Haro Strait with our many international guests from Columbia, England and Canada looking forward to their first trip on the water. Almost immediately we encountered a large bull Sea Lion alone on a rock. Soon after, we saw three Transients Orca in the distance, the T 123's. We watched them foraging and spending time with a recent prey item. A Bald Eagle came in to join the action. Our return trip took us through the Chain Islets to view the Harbour Seals, and different bird life including the Cormorants that were roosting on the rocks. April continues to be a great month to enjoy the sights and sounds of a Wildlife Adventure with Prince of Whales.
Photos by Marie "Orca-Magic"

Ocean Magic Adventure 12:15 April 11

Saturdays Ocean Magic adventure was full of magic. The weather cleared just before noon, leaving the afternoon full of sunshine as Capt. Anna took the Ocean Magic out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. She had us headed East towards a group of Transient Orca that had been spotted. We made our way past Trial Island and out into Haro Strait. Just south of Darcy Island we caught up with the Apex Predator of the oceans, the Transient Orca. Mika, Derek and Darcy gave great insight into the behaviours and habit of these mighty animals. We watched the two large Orca identified as T123's and calf as they worked the waters. So majestic as they would surface in the sunshine, just wonderful to see. Our tour then took us North where Anna spotted two Bald Eagles perched on top of weather vanes on a marker. These warriors of the air were on the lookout for food as they held tight in the gusty winds. We then went past Darcy Island and back to Trial Island were we spotted at Stellar Sea Lion. Just a magical day with Prince of Whales!
Photos by Clint "Orcawizard"