Slicks and SPERM WHALES!

Morning Sperm Whale Encounter

We headed west in the morning. We witnessed another FIRST for the season! Over 50 sub-adult sperm whales rose beside the vessel. The whales stretched far into the distance. Small groupings of sperm whales lay like logs. They were almost dormant, replenishing oxygen after deep dives hunting the canyon floor.

Until today, we had NEVER glimpsed what sperm whales see beneath the surface. Thanks to the RV Falkor and their LIVE online ROV stream, we saw the abyss. The ROV ventured beyond 3km depths south of us. Watch it for yourself over the next 2-3 weeks!

El-Notcho’s Dominant Pod

The hotspot NEVER fails us! Tour dynamics shifted over the past week. Nibbles pod dispersed. El Notcho’s pod now dominates the hotspot.

Oil slicks shone brightly at the surface. Afternoon winds carried them towards us. The orca dove deep, likely snacking on fish. Oreo, Cookie’s daughter, made multiple close passes. She zipped from side to side thrilling our guests. The entire pod surfaced together and beelined for the bow. They split down both sides of the vessel. The pod wrapped around the stern and returned to the bow.

Oil Slicks and Afternoon Orca Play

We began heading home after an incredible orca afternoon. A LARGE oil slick appeared at our 6 o’clock. It stretched as far as the eye could see. Birds flocked amongst the chaos. Flapper and her calf, Baby Machi, swam straight for us. Their heads broke the surface through the whitewash. The pair began playing together. Flapper seemed to chase her calf in fun. They swam right up to the GoPros. Upside down and on their sides, they checked out the squealing customers!

Learn more about these apex predators and their hunting behaviours. Visit this guide on sperm whales and their fascinating deep-diving abilities.

Join a Killer Whale Expedition

Another incredible day for our Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Watching tour! Want to experience the Bremer Canyon for yourself? Join us onboard for a full-day expedition. Encounter orca, sperm whales, dolphins, and seabirds. You might even spot the Australian sea lions near Glass Island. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure you don’t want to miss!

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