With winds blowing from the east and the south westerly swell we knew the seas would be turbulent. Our 24 metre vessel that is built for the southern ocean means we can guarantee a safe expedition out to see the ORCA!
On arrival to the hotspot El Notcho, Cookie, Oreo and pod greeted us but they appeared to be distracted as they scoured the depths for any unfortunate and unlucky prey.
Nibbles and pod weren’t too far away, showing off how fierce they are by plunging through the sea towards us. It can often be hard to describe the feeling when you see an orca surge for the first time, effortlessly manoeuvring and pushing the water aside.
To find some respite from the unsettled sea we moved West where we soon came upon Pilot Whales. In the same location as yesterday these cheeky whales stayed in a tight pod of 40 or so, with another pod only a few hundred metres ahead. Mother and calves, some only half a metre in length still showing foetal folds, busting out of the wash!
The huntress, Split Tip, greeted us back on arrival to the hotspot and with two sub adults in her wake. They showed some intrigue in us by surfing the swell and racing under our bow and shooting out at our stern!
Our volunteer photographers this week, are also rabid seabirders and were particularly keen to spot the rare Barau’s Petrel during their eight days in the canyon this year. With five minutes left at the shelf, on their final day, our super sharp-eyed deckie, Billy, spotted a candidate Petrel with white underparts off our stern—it was the much-desired Barau’s Petrel! It then lapped the boat several times providing great photographic opportunities and leaving behind two ecstatic birders!!
Orca Whale Watching in Bremer Bay never fail to amaze us! Tune in for more!
