Summer time on Northern Van Isle

Children swimming at the downtown beaches, ice creams in the hands of locals and fishermen casting from the government dock - all were signs of a glorious summers day here in Alert Bay.

Our motor vessel Seasmoke set off on glassy calm seas with all our guests donned in float-suits and sunglasses, ready for an adventure.

Just as we departed Alder Bay having picked up our last guests, an announcement came over the VHF radio reporting that Orca had been sighted in Johnstone Strait, down near Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. It is always touch and go, not knowing whether the whales had already entered into the boundary where boats can not follow. However with luck on our side the family groups that were in the vicinity were spread out; some traveling along the Vancouver Island shoreline and others along West Cracroft. Island, all moving in a westerly direction.

The family groups were made up of mothers with young calf’s, daughters with their own offspring and fully grown sons in the mix. These mama’s boys that never leave home, stood out like beacons with their six foot dorsal fins double the size of the mature females. They eventually formed a resting line; side by side they slowly swam, surfacing in unison to let out a gentle breath and inhale another. It is one of the most impressive and beautiful sights where we witness with our very own eyes the social complexity of these intelligent animals. The sun glistened on their wet backs and the rich ocean blue gave a stunning scene that we were so witness.

We came across a couple of Humpbacks that foraged in Blackfish Sound, perhaps they are anticipating the arrival of late summer food. As they forage they swim in large circles, covering an area in search of schooling fish. We were able to predict their deep dive after several shallow dives and had our camera’s ready. Their broad, massive flukes rose up and the water that was carried with them, cascaded down like a waterfall back to its origin. Listening to their breath that nearly empties their lungs forces us to be in the present, as we shared the same air and drifted on the same sea.

It was the calmest, hottest and bluest day. Usually there is a gentle breeze that reminds us of the cool temperature of the water, however today we felt as though we were in the tropics. “The Best Day Out Here Yet” was our skipper Jon’s comments describing his experience. When someone who is out here day after day, summer after summer, we know we have been blessed with the best.