Spectacular, Ocean Magic 3:30

Today's journey to Sooke Basin was nothing short of SPECTACULAR. For those on board, it was a spectacle that comes around once in a life time. A mother and calf humpback pair were lazily swimming by when all of a sudden they both started to fly out of the water at full speed breaching. At times they breached together, or tagging one another! It was by far the most incredible thing i have seen on the water and i have seen many incredible things over the years. I have waited my whole life for this. I want to thank our captain Anna Hall who made the intuitive navigational choices today, and because of that, we had witnessed nonstop breaching within a 15 mins window. With our awesome all women crew it doesn't suprize me, the magic we encounter. (I recognized one of the humpbacks and will return to ID who they are soon)

After witnessing the humpbacks, we stopped by Race Rocks to see the harbour seals and sea lions hauled out. Finally, southern resident killer whales Lpod was making their way past Victoria towards the east and were beautifully sighted heading into the distance of Haro Strait. What a mix of wild life today! Today was a dream trip!


(here is the full humpback set)

Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventure Aug 4 6:30pm

The 6.30pm Ocean Magic sailed out of the harbour into the late afternoon sun. With Capt Tyler and crew on board we were headed south to catch up with inbound Southern Resident Orca. They were traveling slowly coming in from the west. We didn't have far to go. Family groups of young calves, males and females were traveling close to one another. This behaviour is called a resting formation. J 1 and J 2, 'Ruffles ', and 'Granny' were seen with several members of their pod. The little calves were the active ones. J 42, 'Écho' and J41, 'Eclipse' could be identified. L 78 'Gaia' ,K 21, Cappuccino and K40 'Raggedy' and J8 Spieden, were also traveling slowly. In the golden light of the setting sun the dorsal fins shone like bronze. It was a magical encounter with those beautiful whales again, topped off with a golden sunset to round things off.
Marie, Orca-Magic

Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventure Aug 3 12:15

The 12:15 Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventure with our veteran skipper Tyler "Sideshow" headed west in search of Orca. We rounded the bottom of Vancouver Island and kept heading west along the picturesque rugged shoreline. The skies were blue and the seas were fairly calm. Our crews keen eyes spotted our whales off Otter Point. Once on scene Captain Tyler kept the Ocean Magic in perfect position as wind and a strong flood tide to move our ship. The whales were making their way west along the shoreline, all spread out. These Orca were identified as part of L pod. Our passengers were delighted to see them as they made their way past. On our way back after out time with the Killer Whales we passed by Race Rocks Ecological Reserve and viewed northern elephant seals, harbor seals and sea lions. Just another magical day on the water with Prince Of Whales!
Clint "Orcawizard"

Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventure Aug 2

Our Sunday Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventure was a true adventure. Our veteran skipper Shaun "Saltchuck" took us east into the Fog off San Juan Island. Here we searched the water for our resident Orca. Soon there was a report from one of our other boats of Orca spotted to our north. The fog lifted as we made our way north to the Pender Island Bluffs. Here we caught up with a Super Pod, all three southern resident pods J K and L. They were spread out, Shaun positioned the Ocean Magic for perfect viewing. Our passengers took in everything from breaching to spyhops. A truly great wildlife adventure!
The 12:15 Ocean Magic took us to Speiden Island, here we enjoyed the sights of Bald Eagles and baby Harbor Seals. The waters were calm and with the sun shinning, the water looked like a sea of diamonds. On our way back past Trial island we got a report of Orca 2 miles south of our location, Capt. Shaun altered our course and soon had us on scene with part of L pod. These whales were very playful, tail slaps, spyhops, breaching, they did it all to the awe of our passengers. This was a magical day on the water, each trip with Prince of Whales just kept getting better!
Clint "Orcawizard"
The Southern resident fish eating Orca, continue to dazzle us wth their playful activities.
With international guests on board, the 3.30pm Ocean Magic, on Sunday, August 2nd travelled east out of the harbour and caught up with members of L pod off shore of San Juan Island. Their surprise breaches and tail lobs amazed us all. Such energetic jumps was truly thrilling to watch. It was another wonderful trip with Prince of Whales under ideal conditions.
Marie "Orca-Magic"

Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventures Aug 1

Saturday's Ocean Magic 12:15 and 3:30 Wildlife Adventures were set against clear skies and calm seas. Captain Shaun "Saltchuck" had us headed east on the 12:15 Ocean Magic in search of Killer Whales. Our trip took us past Trial Island, Discovery Island and across Haro Strait to San Juan Island. Here we caught up with L Pod. They were spread out foraging for their favorite food, salmon. The 3:30 Ocean Magic took us back to San Juan Island. This time not only did we have L pod, they were joined by J and K pod. Once again all the whales were spread out looking for food. We had everything from breaching, spyhops, tail slaps, and inverted Orca. Our passengers were all smiles after each trip and will hold the memories of a picture perfect trip with Prince of Whales! Clint "Orcawizard"