SKA Blog

Kayaking with orcas and humpback whales often takes center stage on our sea kayak tours off of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. However, this picturesque wilderness also hosts a wide variety of other interesting marine mammals to delight kayak guests. Here are some of our favorite marine animals in British Columbia:

Harbor Seals: These social, curious pinnipeds are frequently seen on our kayak tours, and will even occasionally approach our sea kayaks for a closer look. These seals typically lounge on outcrops or shoreline in groups but are excellent swimmers and fishers. They are common both in Johnstone Strait and God’s Pocket.

Pacific White-Sided Dolphins: These chipper cetaceans roam Vancouver Island’s Inside Passage in pods searching for summer fish. They are very active and prone to great displays of acrobatics. Curious about ships, these dolphins enjoy bowriding and make entertaining escorts on whale watching tours. We see them frequently on our kayak tours both at God’s Pocket Resort and in Johnstone Strait.

Dall’s Porpoises: Every now and then, reports of entire pods full of “baby orcas” turn up in Telegraph Cove.  It’s easy to see why visitors might mistake a young killer whale for this small cetacean: Dall’s porpoises have black bodies with white sides and bellies – not dissimilar from the markings of their larger cousins. Despite a rather stocky appears, these porpoises are very fast swimmers and rather playful, even interacting with dolphins and boats.

Harbour Porpoises: This shy, gray porpoise is one of the smallest marine mammals. They travel in small groups, foraging for crustaceans, squid and fish, but rarely take part in aerial displays or acrobatics. They are sometimes called “puffers” because the sound of their breathing resembles that of a snorting pig.

Steller Sea Lions: This species of sea lion ranges down the Pacific coast from the Bering Sea, but in recent years the declining population was added to the Endangered Species list. Stellers are the largest sea lion species, with males weighing over a ton – three times larger than the females! We often kayak past sunbathing sea lions on our BC tours.

Sea Kayak Adventures office staff member and first time kayaker Amber Crane recently returned from a tour in Baja (Oct 30-Nov 4, 2011).  She will chronicle her adventures in a new blog series:

Voyage of a Novice Kayaker

Part 4: Baja Bliss

The first few minutes of kayaking started, as with all new ventures, with adjustments.  It took time to figure out where to brace my knees, make the most of every stroke, and keep paddling while taking in the sights. However, even as we acclimated to kayaking, fortune smiled upon our group.  Within a few minutes and just a few hundred feet of our launch site, I spotted a sea turtle bobbing at the surface of the water, surveying us.  She lingered for a short time as we gasped, pointed, and fumbled for cameras, before deciding we were of little interest to turtles and diving out of sight.  “This group has good karma,” Alex remarked.

Just 15 minutes later, I stuttered and pointed again, trying to expel words faster than my brain could provide them.  A huge splash announced the leap of a flying mobula ray.  I was downright giddy with excitement at this point, as these strange creatures were at the top of my wildlife bucket list.  These rays often travel in large groups during the spring which are more easily spotted than single jumpers, so I feel quite privileged to have seen one leap in front of my eyes.

Straight from the Strait: Guides Report from the Field

From Leah, on the August 7-12 Johnstone Strait Trip:

"Last week was amazing in Johnstone Strait, orcas close every day in the Strait, plus humpback whales & minke whales in Blackfish Sound. Also, Pacific white-sided dolphins and Dall's porpoise. Views were very close and guests were really 'stoked' to witness such wonderful creatures in the wild! Weather great not a drop of rain all week. Listed over 40 bird species."

From Terry, on the August 8-13 Wilderness Islands Trip:

"Lots of orcas, humpback whales and harbor porpoises on our Wilderness Islands tour. On the first day water taxi shuttle to the Broughton islands we saw a pod of orcas, all males with their large 2 meter fins too impress everyone on board.  The next day we were able to see a humpback from our kayaks. Watching a humpback whale fluking is one of those magical moments that stay with you forever.  The trip had calm seas with cloudy mornings and sunny afternoons. We had a spectacular sunset from Owl Island.  We weaved our way south through the myriad of small islands and channels.  Each granitic island is covered with emerald green forest of windswept trees, moss and salal. On our fifth day we headed towards Johnstone Strait where we encountered a group of resident killer whales who were slowly traveling down the strait past our camp.  During the trip we saw Dall’s porpoise, harbour seals, Steller sea lions, 100′s of rhinoceros auklets, common murres,  and dozens of bald eagles filled the week to the brim with sightings! What a fabulous trip we had in this beautiful and remote place!"

Photo: Rhinocerous Auklet by Dow Lambert/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

We just came home from the first God's Pocket Resort kayak tour of the year and had a fantastic trip! A little rainy, but no wind made for excellent paddling on glassy seas. Great group of people, abundant wildlife and of course tons of great food prepared by Annie. Highlights include viewing Humpback whales almost daily, watching resident killer whales from Bill's boat at sunset, seeing dozens of eagles dotting the tree tops and massive Steller sea lions feeding on salmon! Space available on the July 25 tour.