June 24th whale-watching trip with Outdoor Experience and the Najad Explorer

Today,s report was prepared by our passenger on board, Scott Walker, who is from Sidcup, Kent, England

Firstly, the weather - an exeptional early summer day in B.C. saw us leave in flat calm conditions which prevailed all day. Temperature was a balmy 65 F. Early sightings of a group of bald eagles was followed by several small schools of Dall's Porpoises, followed shortly after by a Humpback Whale and than a Minke Whale. Due to the unexpected calm conditions, Capt. Bill decided on a circumnavigation of Hope Island and we were rewarded with sightings of a Grey Whale, wonderfull Sea Otters, and a large group of Stellar Sea Lions, languishing on Hope Island's rocky foreshore. Capt. Bill tried hard to find Orca Whales but to no avail. However, this was, in my opinion, fully compensated by the sightings previosly mentioned, especially the Sea Otters. All in all, a stunning day cruising off Vancouver Island.