Today, captain Chris and myself, took our guests all the way up to Active Pass in the Canadian Gulf Islands. We had reports of J-pod heading north before we even left the dock, so our goal was to catch up to them. Guests were excited and willing to go so far to see the resident orcas! I was able to inform guests how quickly and how far the orcas could travel in one day.
Resident orcas are known to travel over 100 miles per day and can reach speeds up to 30mph! By the time M/V Sea Hawk reached the orcas they were in Active Pass, moving toward Vancouver B.C. The reason they go so far north is because of what they are feeding on. Resident orcas feed on Chinook Salmon and they spawn in the Fraser River. Once with the whales, guests were able to witness all of J-pod traveling together and a playful J-pod! At one point we saw three orcas breach at once! All of the guests were very happy that we made the long journey, and to be able to see how far north they travel.
Aimee
Naturalist, M/V Sea Hawk