Mackay Whale Watching

09/04/2026

September 1st - sweet September days are upon us already!

We started out our day watching Grizzly, the local sea otter to Port McNeill Harbour as he grabbed the bulb on some bull kelp and wrapped himself up snuggly.

Off we went, from a minke whale to humpbacks, starting with Guardian and her calf. Captain Bill soon brought us to the fishing A34s, with the matriline all spread out and foraging. There was a group of dolphins (over 70) mixed in - racing from working to catch fish to bouncing on the orca. We noticed that they particularly seemed to be interacting with A96 and her calf, 3 year old A132.

After some time with the A34s (2026's most consistent summer matriline!), we headed off to see more of the humpbacks local to the area! We soon found Crochet, Stitch, Frosty, and Meteorite. It was particularly exciting to see Frosty as this is her first sighting in 2026. She's been known and documented here for years, and has had two known calves - but we hadn't seen her yet in the area!

Conger delighted everyone as he lunge and trap-fed for prey, and on the way home we watched Corporal as he executed the PERFECT ID photograph dive. Thanks Corporal, and of course Captain Bill, who always knows just how to find the right angle for whale IDs.

A bird phenomenon that has been entertaining Captain Bill (and the deckhand) is an influx of several hundred Sabine's gulls. These lovely and delicate gulls are not commonly encountered here; we've only encountered singles of these migratory birds - often only one or two, and often juveniles. There are currently several hundred hanging around here, and they are adults in their breeding plumage! We're fascinated to see how long this lasts before they continue their journey south. They are often being harassed by several parasitic jaegers at the moment; but the moments when they start feeding or riding the wind gusts have been beautiful!


All photographs taken with a telephoto zoom lens and cropped for spacing; taken 200+ m from all wildlife. Care is taken in order to not disturb wildlife we are viewing. Relevant photos are submitted for data and research purposes.

09/03/2026

August 29th was a "westward ho!" day for Captain Bill & the Naiad. We headed up and away from Blackfish Sound, on a gamble that because there were no orca reported in the Blackfish Sound area, maybe they had gone west. As Captain Bill's hunches often are, this was a good one!

We headed up to Ripple Pass to see the sea lions (roaring in the sunshine), some sea otters (including some females with pups), and the humpbacks! We watched at least 8 whales circulating through the area, fishing the strong flood tide - including Aquarius, Parentheses, Nippy, and Merge. Nippy (a known female) and Merge (a known male) were associating closely; socializing on synchronized dives. Interestingly, Merge appeared only a few days later off of our neighbourhood near Port McNeill!

We also had the chance to watch the fish-eating families of orca, the A42s and A34s, thanks to a report from friends and fellow operators AJ & Scotty. The A42s were headed fast and hard west, but the A34s were keeping a much slower pace. We have to wonder if that's because the eldest son of A34, A*5 Echo, is in poor health this summer. We are hoping this family meets all their needs this year and that they can catch plenty of salmon to fill their bellies.

Another busy day out there on the big ocean... You never know who you'll see!


All photographs taken with a telephoto zoom lens and cropped for spacing; taken 200+ m from all wildlife. Care is taken in order to not disturb wildlife we are viewing. Relevant photos are submitted for data and research purposes.

09/02/2026

09/01/2026

August 27th was calm weather and fantastic sightings! We began with Crochet and Drogon off of Meynell Point, and then headed off to have a visit with the roaring Steller sea lions.

The A34s, this season's most consistent group of fish eating orca in the area, were grouped up and resting. These moments when the family comes together to gather closely and sleep together carry a special peaceful quiet.

The humpbacks were the complete opposite in behaviours to the orca family; as they were very busy feeding on small schooling fish that were being swept in on the currents! We watched Conger, Corporal, and Meteorite filling their bellies as they lunge fed repeatedly. (The day ended with some new Conger fans as he had been so busy feeding, but also breached as we went to see some other whales!)

We documented Umi and Sponge Bob, hung out with a sleepy raft of otters... And then it was time to head home!


All photographs taken with a telephoto zoom lens and cropped for spacing; taken 200+ m from all wildlife. Care is taken in order to not disturb wildlife we are viewing. Relevant photos are submitted for data and research purposes.

08/31/2026

August 26th was busy and beautiful, start to finish! We spent time with feeding humpbacks (including Kraken, Meniscus, Claw, Crochet, and Black Pearl and her calf) before heading off to visit with a group of sea otters. We saw Corporal, Quartz, and Hunter the humpback whales on our way to see some Bigg's orca.

Captain Bill soon brought us to the T055s, a matriline of mammal-hunting orca - travelling north through Blackfish Sound.

We hung out to see T055A (eldest son of T055), and later saw his mom, sister, and the youngest member of the family, 5 year old T055B1. The family seemed to change their minds and directions a few times, and headed toward a small group of islands... Maybe to go hunt for the family!

We had heard several different reports of northern residents, and followed a later afternoon report of whales westing on the north side of Malcolm Island. At the very last moment, we found the whales that had been referenced... Who ended up being a different family of Bigg's! The T109s were flying along the shoreline, headed toward Port Hardy airport. This group included T109, T109D, D1, D2, and T109E - these whales had apparently hugged the north shoreline of Malcolm Island most of the day. What a wonderful way to end our day!


All photographs taken with a telephoto zoom lens and cropped for spacing; taken 200+ m from all wildlife. Care is taken in order to not disturb wildlife we are viewing. Relevant photos are submitted for data and research purposes.

08/30/2026

August 25th was... in a word... Epic.

We started watching Kraken, Crochet, Claw, and a minke whale. We had a quick sighting of a Parasitic Jaeger (always cool to see these birds). We soon caught up to T019, T019B and T019C. T019C tail lobbed and breached twice; which was a spectacular moment as you could almost hear our guests hold their breath. These behaviours are so interesting, always prompting us to wonder what sparked that!

After watching the Bigg's head west, we were off, spotting Steller sea lions and over 25 sea otters in several rafts - we even caught up with Kraken, Crochet, and Claw once more - and ANOTHER sighting of a minke! Maybe it was the same minke as earlier in the day who had shifted.

We love sharing spectacular days like this one with our guests.


All photographs taken with a telephoto zoom lens and cropped for spacing; taken 200+ m from all wildlife. Care is taken in order to not disturb wildlife we are viewing. Relevant photos are submitted for data and research purposes.

08/29/2026

August 22nd was a busy day! We began watching a group of Dall's porpoise and Crochet and Kraken the humpbacks feeding. These two whales are the same age (both came to BC with their moms in 2022). They've been very reliably found close to each other this year, both feeding in a similar area almost every day!

As we travelled we saw Corporal, Squiggle, Claw, sea otters (a group of 12), harbour seals hauled out, and some Steller sea lions.

Captain Bill soon took us off to watch the A34s, who were surrounded by a large group of Pacific White-Sided dolphins. These very active smaller cetaceans seem to enjoy these interactions with fish-eating orca, but the orca seemed to be avoiding the dolphins - especially A34 and her son, A*5. A34 and A*5 soon joined the rest of their family and the whole matriline took a series of very long dives; headed north through Blackfish Sound.

After some peaceful moments in the misty green of Blackfish Sound with the orca, we headed to see who else was out there!

Our afternoon was busy, we sighted Guardian and her 2026 calf, Quartz, more dolphins, and Squiggle (again), and Sponge Bob the humpback! Sponge Bob's nickname was an entertaining one to explain, and comes from a distinct marking on the fluke that looks like a character from the TV show. Seeing these giants return here each year (and recognizing them when they do) adds so much to our trips. Some of our guests come back to see us again, specifically asking about the whales that they watched the last time they visited. We love that people feel more connected to the wildlife and this place after they visit!


All photographs taken with a telephoto zoom lens and cropped for spacing; taken 200+ m from all wildlife. Care is taken in order to not disturb wildlife we are viewing. Relevant photos are submitted for data and research purposes.

08/28/2026

August 20th was misty, beautiful, and unexpected in the best ways.

We started with sightings of a minke whale, harbour porpoises, and Crochet the humpback whale. We think maybe Kraken was out there in the mist too!

Captain Bill soon found the A34s (and some Pacific White-Sided dolphins) travelling north through Blackfish Sound.

We also had the chance to watch the C8s, a matriline of whales we see very infrequently here these days! The C8s have sadly lost C14, the brother of C8. However... It sure looked like the C8s have welcomed a new calf! As C8 herself is 51 this year, we think this new calf belongs to C31. With all other whales in this family being confirmed as male, we're delighted (and relieved) that C31 is female. This means that one day in the future, the calls that this matriline makes will carry on past the lifetime of C8, and the matriline will continue with C31 as the matriarch.

After watching sweet cuddle time with the C8s, we headed over to watch humpbacks - including Meteorite, Ripple, and Guardian and her 2026 calf. There were so many fork-tailed storm petrels, along with the common murres! A raft of sea otters on the way home and a huge dramatic lunge feed from Crochet kept us watching the water until the moment we pulled back into the dock.


All photographs taken with a telephoto zoom lens and cropped for spacing; taken 200+ m from all wildlife. Care is taken in order to not disturb wildlife we are viewing. Relevant photos are submitted for data and research purposes.

08/25/2026

August 18th found us out on beautiful seas to the north of Malcolm Island. We travelled out past the kelp beds and found the A34 matriline, enjoying quiet moments with them as they foraged and headed west.

Captain Bill dropped our hydrophone overboard, and we had the chance to listen to beautiful vocals (including the "A12 special" call made by the A34s!). Thank goodness we got to listen when we did, because the whales soon stopped vocalizing as a group of Pacific White-Sided dolphins approached. They went from herding fish to surrounding the orca, and then soon went back to foraging - letting the orca get on with the same.

Our travels home included brief sightings of humpbacks Conger, Claw, and Kraken - along with a small raft of otters!


All photographs taken with a telephoto zoom lens and cropped for spacing; taken 200+ m from all wildlife. Care is taken in order to not disturb wildlife we are viewing. Relevant photos are submitted for data and research purposes.

08/24/2026

August 16th was incredible and started with a beautiful moment of biodiversity in a single spot. We had paused to get an ID photo of Grizzly the humpback, when a minke whale popped up as well as a trio of harbour porpoises - the harbour porpoise group included a mother and a small calf! Everyone was feeding - the food web in action!

Off we went to visit the sea lions (at least 200 were hauled out and roaring) and a sleepy Inukshuk the humpback whale. From there we spotted the A34 matriline of resident orca - along with hundreds of storm petrels (fork tailed and Leach's) and a large pod of Pacific White-Sided dolphins!

We stopped to admire some fish that the Mackay family (Tyson & Angus) caught on their trip out! They sure had some huge grins to go along with their salmon. Our way home included Crochet the humpback and a raft of 20+ sea otters... It was another busy day out there!

All photographs taken with a telephoto zoom lens and cropped for spacing; taken 200+ m from all wildlife. Care is taken in order to not disturb wildlife we are viewing. Relevant photos are submitted for data and research purposes.