Weekly Highlights from Naturaliste Charters:
Sharing Our Highlights 6-12 January 2025: The second week of January delivered unforgettable encounters on the Southern Ocean, featuring breathtaking orca sightings, playful dolphins, fascinating seabirds, and even a few surprises. Here’s a detailed summary of our adventures from the week.
6th January 2025: Queen of the Canyon and Her Playful Pod
Our journey began with high spirits as we ventured into the Southern Ocean despite the wind and swell. Within minutes of arriving at the hotspot, we encountered our first orca. Luke, spotting from the roof, alerted us to blows off our 3 o’clock. Soon, we saw familiar fins belonging to Split Tip, the queen of the canyon, accompanied by Lil Machi, Flapper, and Wonks.
Wonks, a young male with a floppy dorsal fin, gave us a glimpse into the fascinating maturation process of male orcas. As males grow older, their curved dorsal fins straighten and become tall and triangular. Wonks’ playful nature was on full display as he rolled and spy-hopped alongside his podmates. Flapper even waved her sleek pectoral fin, delighting passengers.
Seabirds added to the spectacle, with shy and wandering albatross soaring above alongside flesh-footed shearwaters and a rare sighting of an endangered Barau’s petrel. Later, Shredder and No Name from Split Tip’s pod surprised us with a burst of energy, surfing the swell towards the boat.
On our way back, we encountered a sunfish gliding at the surface. Near Glasse Island, Australian sea lions lounged on white-streaked rocks, creating the perfect end to an incredible day.
7th January 2025: A Multi-Pod Extravaganza
Before reaching the continental shelf, we were greeted by Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins darting through the waves. These agile creatures seemed to be fishing, as a flock of flesh-footed shearwaters hovered above. Entering the hotspot, we soon spotted orca blows, and El Notcho, a mature male, gave us a surprise close pass.
We followed Digby, Mia, Lucy Dash, and Dundette, who entertained us with humorous interactions, including belly-up displays and tail slapping. Communication was evident as they performed these behaviours while spaced out across the water. Eventually, we observed females carrying meat, a sign of a successful hunt.
Later, Razor, Lil Blade, and Nibbles delighted us with close passes, while El Notcho and Cookie made brief appearances. A vibrant weather system painted the horizon as we headed back to shore, concluding a day filled with dynamic orca activity.
8th January 2025: Orca Dive Behaviour and Thermoclines
We started the day with a pod of common dolphins, estimated at 15-30 individuals, fishing near the surface. Common dolphins often travel in pods of up to 10,000, making this sighting a treat.
At the hotspot, we identified Nibbles’ pod, characterised by their unique diving patterns. Diving for 5-7 minutes at a time, the pod’s activity coincided with a thermocline 400-550m below the surface, suggesting they were hunting fish or squid. The thermocline, caused by cooler waters pushed up by the canyon system, provided a fascinating glimpse into the orcas’ hunting environment.
Later, we encountered Nani’s pod, including Slater, Alki, Billie, and Maui, displaying similar diving behaviour above the thermocline. Close passes by males like Nibbles and El Notcho were highlights, showcasing the impressive size and speed of orcas. A sunfish and a stop at Glasse Island to observe sea lions rounded out the day.
9th January 2025: Playful Orca Encounters
Clear skies and calm seas set the stage for a memorable day. A pod of common dolphins rode the bow, thrilling passengers. At the hotspot, Tatty’s pod greeted us, with individuals like Kidji, Wasco, and Miro engaging in playful surges and tail slaps.
Younger orcas from Split Tip’s pod joined the fun, rolling and playing just beneath the surface. A mischievous calf even chased an albatross off the water. Breaches, spy-hopping, and close passes created non-stop action, demonstrating the vital role of play in orca development.
10th January 2025: Coordinated Hunts and Prey Sharing
Under moody skies, we searched diligently until Blaire spotted blows at 12 o’clock. Tatty’s pod, including Chalky and Hookfin, surfaced close, their towering dorsal fins slicing through the water. Soon, Split Tip’s and Cookie’s pods joined, creating a dynamic scene with orcas spread across the horizon.
Behaviour shifted as the pods displayed prey-sharing activity. Passengers glimpsed pieces of meat, confirming a successful hunt. Deep dives and tight formations suggested coordinated hunting strategies. A final close pass beneath the boat ended the day on a high note.
11th January 2025: Rare Encounters with Lucky’s Pod
We ventured west, discovering Lucky’s pod for the first time this season. Lucky’s distinctive dorsal fin, almost entirely missing, made her easy to identify. With her were four mature males, Dopple, Ron, Vincent, and Koomba. Observing this rarely-seen group offered a unique opportunity for new identification photos and insights into pod dynamics.
As the pod cruised west, we followed until they turned east. Shortly after leaving them, Craig spotted a smooth hammerhead shark. The shark’s cephalofoil head and dorsal fin captivated everyone, adding an unexpected thrill to the day.
12th January 2025: A Vibrant End to the Week
Our final day began under dramatic clouds but quickly brightened with sightings of orcas from Split Tip’s and Cookie’s pods. Playful calves, towering males, and close interactions left passengers in awe. A highlight was observing the orcas’ social dynamics, with females leading the hunt and coordinating pod activities.
As we returned to shore, we reflected on the week’s incredible encounters, from intimate orca moments to sightings of sunfish, dolphins, and seabirds. Each day offered a unique glimpse into the rich marine ecosystem of Bremer Bay.
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