Olivia | M/V Kestrel | July 3rd, 2020 | 14:00
It was such a fun day out on the water with Captain Brian-who is also the owner/operator of our family run business. We call our zodiac trips an ‘Adventure Trip’ for a reason; Not only is our zodiac faster than M/V Sea Lion, it is also all exposed. On rainy days like today, it absolutely feels like an adventure as you are braving the Salish Sea and its weather trying to scope out wildlife.
We started off the trip leaving the dock with a couple whale rumors over in the Haro Strait, therefore we headed south around Cattle Point and ended up past Lime Kiln Lighthouse. Due to new Covid-19 restrictions, we are unable to cross the Canadian border. We made it just in time because one of our favorite family groups of Bigg’s Killer Whales- the T65A’s- felt like visiting our Canadian friends to the west. However, we were able to view them on the United States side of the border before they did. It felt extra exciting seeing them spread out, come together, roll around, and show off their diverse dorsal fins.
Shortly after waving goodbye as they swam towards Vancouver Island, we slowly started scanning and traveling closer to Battleship Island, knowing there was a rumor of a Humpback Whale feeding in the area. To our delightful surprise, we found this lone traveler zig zagging in the Haro. This individual was averaging 7-9 minute dives with few surfaces. Despite our quick glances, it was thrilling to not only see Orcas (the largest dolphin), a Baleen Whale, AND Harbor Porpoises- making it the Cetacean homerun!
We took one more zip over to Flattop Island and saw Harbor Seals on the shoreline and swimming in the water, as well as six Bald Eagles perched and flying around. This was, in my opinion, one of the best trips you could hope for!