Humpback whales, known for their acrobatic displays, are equally fascinating for their diverse feeding strategies. They employ several methods to secure their daily sustenance of up to two thousand pounds of prey per whale. Campbell River serves as a crucial feeding ground for these whales, drawing them in abundance due to its rich marine resources during the summer months from May to November. Here’s a glimpse… Read more »
Written by Maddie Lemke The ocean, a vast expanse of wonder and life, faces challenges as deep as its waters. As stewards of this blue planet, it’s imperative that we do not allow the phrase “out of sight, out of mind” to guide our actions. Instead, we must awaken new depths of responsibility, understanding, and compassion towards our oceans. This year, on World Oceans Day… Read more »
Written by Maddie Lemke Wondering when to spot the best wildlife on our tours? It’s a common question, with answers as dynamic as the wildlife itself. “What kind of wildlife will I see?” or “What are the chances of seeing specific animals?” – the excitement lies in the unpredictability. Many species around Campbell River are migratory, making each season unique in its offerings. While it… Read more »
Words by Maddie Lemke Whale watching has gained popularity as a captivating recreational activity, allowing people to observe these majestic marine mammals in their natural environment. Observing wildlife can have many positive impacts, but if not done responsibly, it may do more harm than good. In this blogpost we want to give an overview of positive and negative impacts of whale watching and help you… Read more »
Words and Photos by Zoe Hasenfratz Picture this, you find yourself on a whale-watching tour. You are bobbing about on the water, having just discovered several humpback whales. Suddenly, you start to witness some acrobatic behavior: pectoral fins waving back and forth in the air, tails slapping the surface, and breaching. As you watch the whales propel themselves out of the water in what nearly… Read more »
Written by photographer and guest blogger Kristian Gillies. Raindrops pelt the windscreen, their staccato rhythm creating a familiar percussion that welcomes the changing of seasons. The boat cuts through the water below, a symphony of rich green hues swirling in its wake. Inside the cabin, the mingling scent of sea salt tangles with the chatter of fellow adventurers. Each sentence carries a subtle undercurrent of… Read more »
You’ve been planning your dream trip for months, eagerly awaiting the day you finally get to head out on the water for a chance to see humpback whales and orca and all the amazing wildlife our area is home to. We know the feeling, we still feel this way every single day! But, there is one big variable that can have a pretty major impact… Read more »
Humpback whales are baleen whales that have been making a strong comeback to our area since 2004. These gentle giants are frequently sighted on our tours, but many people don’t know anything about them! 1. Humpback whale’s pectoral fins are the longest appendages in the entire animal kingdom at up to 16 feet (1/3 length of their entire bodies). 2. Female humpback whales… Read more »
Orcas are well-known for being exceptional predators and are often featured in mainstream media. While these “ocean pandas” are truly remarkable mammals, there are a lot of misconceptions and unknown facts about them! 1. Despite being known as “killer whales”, Orca are the biggest members of the dolphin family. 2. We see 3 main ecotypes of Orca that differ in diet, appearance, and vocalizations:… Read more »
Every year, we are noticing more and more Humpback whales in the Campbell River area. In the 2018 season, Sarah Hauser, one of our extraordinary guides, was able to document and ID 52 different Humpbacks with the help of Jackie Hildering and MERS. You may be wondering how we are able to identify Humpback whales. If you take a close look at the photos, you can see… Read more »
