Sooke Coastal Explorations Pod Cast

Sooke Coastal Explorations is now closed for winter. We had a terrific season with great memories on each trip. We will re-open for daily tours Spring of 09.

Yesterday we offered tours at the annual Canadian Coast Guard Aux. BBQ. We left Pedder Bay to tour Race Rocks when we heard that there were 8 Transient Orcas 1/2 mile from our location. It was intense to see a Steller Sea Lion probably over 1200lbs get thrown completely out of the water by the Orcas. After a few minutes they left the Sea Lion which swam away at a fast pace. Our 2nd tour took us to the eight and a group of 3 transients that were spread out over a mile. It was a great end to the day.

Yesterday was a beautiful day on the Juan de Fuca Strait. We started East with reports of Orcas off of Race Rocks. We arrived to find 3 groups (9 Orcas) all within a mile of each other heading towards Sooke. Everyone was treated to a great show by these magnificent animals.

Yesterday our tour took us to Race Rocks to view Sea Lions and Seals when Orcas were spotted. When we arrived,  we all figured out that the resident Orcas made it back to our Southern Waters. It was a great day as all of them were breaching, tail slapping….. As we headed back towards Sooke, 3 Humpbacks were sighted. It was a terrific way to end the day.

Today we went to Race Rocks where 4 Humpback Whales and 6 Transient Orcas were found. The Humpbacks were certainly in a playful mood, spy hopping, tail slapping…. Also the Transient Orcas were in a great mood. The 2 calves kept playing with each other and the moms. It was a great day on the Juan de Fuca Strait.

This morning started with our tour heading west on a report of Transient Orcas off of Sooke. We arrived off of Otter Point (Sooke) to find T44 and company heading West. It was an incredible day with lots off animals. We then travelled to Race Rocks when we had a report of Humpbacks near by. Sure enough, 3 Humpbacks 3 miles East of Race. Race Rocks still has hundreds of Seals Sea Lions on the Islands.

That is true, we had all this on our private marine bird watching charter off of Swiftsure Bank. What a day, we left Sooke and headed straight for Swiftsure Bank where we viewed miles and miles of Marine birds feeding on herring. I would guess over 5000+ birds per 1/4 sq mile. Also close to us were 14 Humpbacks also feeding on the herring and krill. Our way back took us close to shore where 12 Gray whales were spotted from Carmanah Light house to Jordan River. It was a day that all of us will remember….

Today was excellent as we had whales on both tours. We started the morning group off of Sooke with the Super Pod of Orcas. The Orcas were spread out over a mile but many small groups were close. Breaching, Spy Hopping and feeding were observed.
Our afternoon trip included the Super Pod, but also 3 Gray whales and Brown Pelicans. It was a treat for everyone to see that many animals.

Today was a perfect day for Orca and Whale Watching. We started out just off of Victoria when we came across playful Dahls’ porpoise that rode our bow. We then began to head where J-Pod was and found a Minke Whale (smallest whale in our waters) just beyond the playful porpoise. J-Pod and others were sure active today.

Tomorrow we have a few seats left on our afternoon tour

Today we started West towards Port Renfrew when we were notified of Orcas off of Race Rocks. It was the Super Pod of Orcas (88 of them) coming back from 5 days out West. It was certainly a wet day, but seeing all of them close by made it wonderful.