Mackay Whale Watching

05/03/2026

Guardian has a new calf! Amazing

She's back and with a new baby!
News from TODAY thanks to ©OrcaLab. Documented from land.
Welcome back, Guardian. Welcome, little one. May you thrive here and learn the currents and prey of northeast Vancouver Island as well as your mother.

It's a big deal for our community. Guardian (BCZ00408) is such a recognizable whale and so well known to northeast Vancouver Island. Her fluke and dorsal fin are very distinct, and she has returned to feed in this area every year since 2011.

This is Guardian's second known calf. The first was in 2023 when she was more than 12 years old (birth year and mom not known). Breeding ground is Hawaii.
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Thank you Team OrcaLab! 💙

Babeis crossing!
May knowing that Humpback mothers and calves are returning to BC waters to feed give additional motivation to be Whale-Safe. www.whalesafeboating.org

The mothers' reserves are really low, and calves have a lot to learn.

May there be even more understanding of the need for boater vigilance and giving whales space. May we operate our vessels in the same way we would drive near a playground on land. Whale calves are nursing here. They may suddenly surface or become acrobatic. They have only ~1 year to learn from their mothers before being independent.

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05/02/2026

Welcome back to

Guess That Fin Friday!

If you are new to ID work you can download DFO's Northern Resident catalogue or there is an app for that called NRKW ID.

Shorter fins are either juvenile or female orcas and the big tall ones are males so that helps you narrow it down. Then look for any nicks or scratches on the dorsal or saddle patch (white bit behind the dorsal fin).

Each week this will get harder so have fun with it and try and tag someone who might not know how to ID and give them the resources to try.

04/30/2026

I love when we get this question! Johnstone Strait is one of those really special places not just for Robson Bight but for how this place was formed.

04/25/2026

Welcome to the first installment of Guess That Fin Friday!

Know who this is? Guess in the comments!

04/22/2026

🌏Happy Earth day 🌏

Each day small actions can lead to big impacts.

The ocean covers 70% of Earth's surface and holds 96.5% of its water which boasts the largest ecosystem on the planet.

Things we do at home can protect the planet as well as ocean. Be cautious of what goes down the drain and into the watershed, recycle and donate your time to local initiatives.

Post your favourite local groups that are making a big impact like Marine Education & Research Society (which are having a fundraiser at our local IGA!), Epic Exeo cleaning remote beaches with amazing volunteers and our local ROTARY CLUB OF PORT MCNEILL which does massive town clean ups and much more!

04/21/2026

Did you know?

The phrase "sleep with one eye open" is not just a metaphor; it is a literal behavior observed in several animal species known as unihemispheric slow-wave sleep.

03/30/2026

Amazing items and experiences to bid on! The proceeds go to Marine Education & Research Society to further their research and public outreach programs.

03/12/2026

Ethical whale watching is becoming a bit of a buzz word and we completely agree that all persons observing wildlife should be ethical in how they go about it whether from land, air or sea.

We have been stewards of the environment and wildlife for over 50 years and are eternally grateful for being able to share our love and knowledge with people from around the world.

We believe it is from sharing this beautiful corner of the world with others is how a community was able to protect it.

It is our hope that ethical whale watching isn't just a buzz word but done in earnest.

02/12/2026

Which one are you sending your Valentine?

02/12/2026

Which one are you sending to your Valentine?