Vancouver Island Whale Watch

Whale watching out of downtown Nanaimo. Join us to see orca, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, porpoises!

[Vancouver Island Whale Watch @VanIslandWhale]

Out for a swim! 🏊‍♀️

#vanislandwhalewatch

[Vancouver Island Whale Watch @VanIslandWhale]

An "Aircraft Carrier" was spotted on one of the tours! 🤭
How many birds are sharing this log?

#vancouverislandphotographer #ExperienceVancouverIsland #explorenanaimo #birdwatching #birds

[Vancouver Island Whale Watch @VanIslandWhale]

Noisy Steller Sea Lions! Sound on to hear their rumbles! 🔊

#sealions #stellar #vanislandwhalewatch #sealionshow #sealionsofinstagram #sealionsrock #sealions

[Vancouver Island Whale Watch @VanIslandWhale]

Throwback to little T037A4 popping out of the water beside their mother T037 Rocky III/Pizzafin during a recent tour. 😍

#vanislandwhalewatch #orcaencounter #orcawhale #orcawhales #killerwhaleart #killerwhalesupclose #killerwhalesquad #killerwhaleshow #biggsarethebalance

[Vancouver Island Whale Watch @VanIslandWhale]

#vanislandwhalewatch #humpbackwhales #humpbacks #humpbackrock #humpbackrocks #humpbackwhaleencounters #humpbackbreach #humpbackday #humpbackwhaleseason #orca #whale #whalewatching #nature #bc #vancouverisland

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[Vancouver Island Whale Watch @VanIslandWhale]

Pectoral slapping (also known as pec slapping) is a neat behaviour we sometimes observe with our humpbacks where they come up to the surface, roll onto their side, and slap the top of the water, causing a loud "thud" sound and a big splash! 🐋

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[Vancouver Island Whale Watch @VanIslandWhale]

It is believed to be a form of communication between these gentle giants.

This video shows Harpy (BCY0458 calf 2020, light pecs) and Neowise (BCY0160 calf 2020, dark pecs) slapping away.

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[Vancouver Island Whale Watch @VanIslandWhale]

#vanislandwhalewatch #humpbackwhales #humpbacks #humpbackrock #humpbackrocks #humpbackwhaleencounters #humpbackbreach #humpbackday #humpbackwhaleseason #spooky #spookyname #scary #halloween #halloween2023

[Vancouver Island Whale Watch @VanIslandWhale]

It's the time of the year to feature some of our Spooky whales seen this year!

Up first is El Diablo! 😈

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[Vancouver Island Whale Watch @VanIslandWhale]

We tend to see her later in our season, likely while she is migrating back from Alaska to her breeding grounds in Hawaii.

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[Vancouver Island Whale Watch @VanIslandWhale]

Today is a very special day in the history of marine mammals. 51 years ago today, the Marine Mammal Protection Act was started.

The Marine Mammal Protection act was an important milestone in ocean conservation.

#vanislandwhalewatch

[Vancouver Island Whale Watch @VanIslandWhale]

Another favourite trip: August 24th!

We saw humpbacks and orca, both being active!

For more photos and information check out the blog post:

https://t.co/RBnKfxbHDi

#vanislandwhalewatch #humpbacks #humpbackbreach #orca #whale #whalewatching #biggsarethebalance

[Vancouver Island Whale Watch @VanIslandWhale]

Although off-putting in appearance, Vultures are important to our ecosystem! Eating carrion helps prevent spreading disease 😷

That's why we are celebrating these amazing birds on #internationalvultureawarenessday!

[Vancouver Island Whale Watch @VanIslandWhale]

Orca's dorsal fins can reach 6 feet tall, but there's no bone! Its shape is from dense connective tissue! 🤯
📸: Galiano

[Vancouver Island Whale Watch @VanIslandWhale]

Orca are the second fastest marine mammal, clocking in between 50-60km/hour! 😱

Normally when we see orca they will be travelling at slower, more sustainable speeds of ~6-7km/hour. They will use bursts of speed when going after their faster prey, such as porpoises and dolphins!

[Vancouver Island Whale Watch @VanIslandWhale]

Whisker movement in mammals is called "Whisking"! Did you know that sea lion whiskers are as sensitive as human fingertips?

Instead of the usual round whiskers, Pinnipeds have oval ones, increasing their sensitivity while decreasing drag.

Isn't nature amazing? 😍

[Vancouver Island Whale Watch @VanIslandWhale]

#vanislandwhalewatch #humpbackwhales #humpbacks #humpbackrock #humpbackrocks #humpbackwhaleencounters #humpbackbreach #humpbackday #humpbackwhaleseason #orca #whale #whalewatching #nature #bc #vancouverisland

[Vancouver Island Whale Watch @VanIslandWhale]

For today's hump-day we are going to discuss another humpback behaviour that is always exciting to see. Today's subject: Spyhopping! 🔎🐰

[Vancouver Island Whale Watch @VanIslandWhale]

It is thought that the main purpose of spyhopping is to let the whale figure out what is going on above the surface of the water. Sometimes whales do small spyhops (such as in the photo of Two Spot below), but other times they will bring up a large portion of their head.