Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventure Sept 25 3:30pm

Time spent at any one of the several marine 'banks' found in these waters is always a good investment. It is often at these 'caches' that many marine mammals can be found. At this time of year when Humpback Whales come into the Straight of Juan de Fuca they can most often be seen foraging in these relatively shallow shelves beneath the surface. It was a given that Capt Tyler would take the 3.30pm Ocean Magic 2 vessel, on Friday September 25th, to Constance Bank where we would encounter four Humpback Whales that were busy foraging and having a great time. There was great excitement on board watching the many tail-lobs, spyhops and pectoral flipper waves as these 'giants' worked large circles around the boat. Our next stop was over to San Juan Island where we were lucky to see several members of L Pod Orca, especially three large males, L 73, called 'Flash'. L 84,' Nyssa 'and L 74, 'Saanich.' Our guests had a surprise look at a swimming Steller Sea Lion that came over to look at us all. It was a beautiful late afternoon trip once again with calm waters all around.
Marie, Orca-Magic

Ocean Magic 3:30, Humpbacks & Transients

(complimentary gift image - click to enlarge, right click to download)



Today's ocean was dramatic, maybe 6 footers out there, lots of wind and incredible seas, like a roller coaster but better!. That means incredible whales too! 4 humpbacks were off Constance Bank (Juan de Fuca Strait) and were VERY active when we arrived on scene. Breaching, flipper slaps, tail lunges, some surface feeding and high powered fluke-ing. WOW it was so exciting! I recognized two of the humpbacks from previous trips and years and will return here later with their ID's. One of them I have nick named "notchella" she has the split dorsal fin and was seen breaching many times earlier this season.

We headed further south and found 3 transients; T020 (male with a research tag on his fin) and T021 (female) and another male T031 (thanks to Jared Towers for confirming these guys) at about 5 pm. They were heading east of Beecher Bay - south of Victoria's breakwater. The animals were traveling however showed some symptoms of having fed (gulls hovering close above). The animals were an impressive size and gave us lovely views. After, we took a quick spin through Race Rocks to see the many sealions hauled out before returning back to the Victoria waterfront where several humpbacks were milling (most likely the same ones we saw earlier). We managed to see another breach! And a total surprise was that our transient killer whale friends had also headed closer to shore, so we caught up to them as well (about a mile off of the breakwater at 6:30 pm). We were just a few miles off Victoria's water front today and what an experience for all! Because of the rough conditions today, I did not record any video.

Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventure Sept 20 3:30pm

Out into the sunshine and calm waters sailed the the 3.30pm Ocean Magic vessel on Sunday afternoon, Sept 20th. With our great crew, Capt. Shaun, Scott, and Aleigh, our on board naturalists, this wildlife adventure was sure to please everyone. We headed across Haro Strait toward San Juan Island were we found several members of the Southern Resident pods foraging alone. They were well spread out. We did identify J 1 'Ruffles' as well as K 14 'Lea' and L 7', 'Canuck'. We watched as they travelled slowly north past Lime Kilm Park. We had reports of three Humpback Whales back at Constance Bank so headed over to watch these three 'gentle-giants' being mobbed by two sea lions beneath the surface. It caused a young Humpback Whale to put on a show of fluke-tail lobs and pectoral flipper waves. It was amazing to watch all this activity. Eventually the sea lions departed and these three Humpback whales carried on their way. Lion's mane Jellyfish and a few Dall's Porpoise added to our experience. This was a most exciting and memorable adventure once again with Prince of Whales.
Marie, Orca-Magic

Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventure Sept 20 12:15

Our Ocean Magic wildlife adventure was one of the trips I will never forget. Captain Shaun "Saltchuck" slipped the Ocean Magic from the dock in the inner harbor and took us out into flat calm water and sunny skies. The weather in September is once again amazing, the warm sunny days continue. Our first stop on our wildlife adventure was to view two Humpback Whales. These great whales can weigh over 30 tons. These two whales were up for a few breaths...then one breached, not once but three time in a row. Just amazing to see a whale over 30 tons come out of the water. Simply spectacular. The one whale then did many pectoral slaps while it lay on its side on the surface. After viewing the Humpbacks we headed out further into the Strait of Juan De Fuca and caught up with some Transient Orca. These mammal eating Killer Whales were gently rising for their air with five to six surfaces then off in a different direction on a deep dive. Typical Transient behaviour, as they like to sneak up on their prey. Our trip then took us through Race Rocks and we viewed it varied wildlife. Steller Sea Lions, California Sea Lions and Harbour Seals were in abundance. Our trip drew to a close, but our memories will be there forever. Once again a magical wildlife adventure with Prince Of Whales!
Clint "Orcawizard", Marie "Orca-Magic"

Ocean Magic Wildlife Adventure Sept 19 3:30pm

. Our experienced Capt. Shaun and crew members Arleigh, Derek and Rhonda headed the 3.30pm 'Ocean Magic 2' , this Saturday afternoon, out of the harbour. We traveled west along the picturesque Vancouver Island coast. It was another sunny afternoon with some strong wind and tidal current. Some of the Southern Resident Orca, the fish eating 'killer whales' , had been reported heading further out west so we were lucky to encounter them at Beacher Bay. They were on a mission and moving fast through the choppy water. Their 'blows ' would fill the air as they passed by. It was great to see so many of L Pod traveling together. L 72 'Racer' and L 83 ' Moonlight ', two females with their young were easily recognised. Their distinctive open 'saddle patches ' the area of white behind the dorsal fin, which is unique to each individual Orca could be seen. We watched them travel for a while and then returned to Victoria via Race Rocks. It was here that California and Steller sea lions could be heard barking and roaring as they jockeyed for position on rocks. What a great wild life adventure our guests experienced once again.
Clint "Orcawizard, Marie "Orca-Magic"