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Ever wondered what it would be like to find yourself in the middle of an experience that was as exhilarating as it was relaxing? That was the question I was trying to get answered a couple of weeks back when I talked to Captain Mick Miller about what it’s like touring a group of people…

When people think of going whale watching near Victoria, they often anticipate seeing large whales like humpbacks, orcas and grey whales. But there are much tinier cetaceans out there that are just as fascinating and fun to watch – the porpoises! Whale watching near Victoria provides an excellent opportunity to spot two different species of porpoises…

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve and Marine Protected Area is an iconic grouping of small islands nestled nine nautical miles west of the Victoria Harbour. It is a place we visit on many tours when we are searching for whales in the Juan de Fuca Strait. Not only is the lighthouse itself stunning and historical, but…

Human beings often look to other humans to learn how to live and operate on this planet. It makes sense for many reasons, however, there’s a lot to be learned from other animals on the planet too. In particular, there are lessons orcas can teach us about life on land! Orcas are an animal possessing…

Written by: Rachael Merrett, Orca Spirit Adventures Marine Naturalist At Orca Spirit Adventures, marine wildlife conservation and protection are at the heart of everything we do. We feel the most effective ways to protect local wildlife are through the education of our guests and supporting scientific research and monitoring. With such a diverse array of…

There is always more to learn about the beautiful black and white creatures of the sea. Here are 10 interesting facts about orcas that will give you a deeper understanding about these fascinating marine mammals. 1. ORCAS ARE THE LARGEST SPECIES OF DOLPHIN Orcas, often referred to as “killer whales” (Orcinus orca) are a toothed…

In the Pacific Northwest, the Southern Resident Killer Whale population has been facing a crisis that threatens their survival. The crisis is an ever-dwindling supply of Chinook Salmon, their preferred prey, within their range along the western coast of Canada and the United States. Chinook Salmon make up approximately 80% of the Southern Resident Killer…

Every year Orca Spirit completes new Southern Resident Killer Whale adoptions from the Whale Museum on San Juan Island, Washington. This year we adopted one whale from both K and L pods.  Adoption funds support the important work of the Whale Museum including the operation of their amazing, educational Exhibit Hall, operating the Marine Mammal Stranding Network,…

West Coast Bigg’s (Transient) Killer Whales are a unique ecotype of orca who reside off the Pacific Coast of North America, ranging from Alaska to Northern California. Bigg’s Killer Whales are known as the mammal-hunters because their diet consists of seals, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins, and larger whale species like humpbacks, minkes, and grey whales….

Written by Rachael Merrett- Orca Spirit Marine Naturalist The whale world has been abuzz about the orca pregnancies detected within all three pods of the Southern Resident Killer Whale population since SR3 (Sealife Response + Rehab + Research) announced their discovery in July of 2020. They revealed that there are pregnancies in all three pods, confirming…