Killer whale sight-seeing tour is an adventure in our backyard ORCINUS ORCA. Killer whales. We in B.C. enjoy what may be the world’s most abundant population of these magnificent marine mammals, but we are far from blase about that abundance when it comes to viewing the black and white beauty of killer whales. For us, as for the people from around the globe who journey to our waters, visiting killer whales in their natural habitat is the experi- ence of a lifetime. Many local residents, however, don’t realize how accessible our great escapes Peggy Trendell-Whittaker < ‘ . ” resident killer whale communities are. Unlike the grey whale expedi- tions, most of which are based in the Tofino area, a trip to see the killer whales is run right out of Victoria’s inner harbor, right across from the Empress Hotel. Sea Coast Expeditions, owned and operated by former North Vancouverite Alex Rhodes, offers its adventure tours in a 23-foot Zodiac, a craft that adds to the experience immeasurably. I recently travelled on the Por- poise II, which carries around a dozen passengers, Alex and a nat- uralist. We were provided with full-length flotation suits that pro- tected us from the elements, gloves and waterproof binocillars. Suited up in our bright yellow garb, many of us sporting cameras that ranged from the instamatic to the multi-lensed, we looked like a team of research scientists embark- ing on a fact-finding mission. The pleasant, 10-minute motor out of the harbor had me wonder- ing what the wet-weather suits were for, but i wasn't left in the dark for long. Once out in the open, Alex upped the speed to ap- Acapuico................. 40 - Sunday, June 10, 1999 - North Shore News proximately 30 knots, and the fun began. We encountered some unusually choppy water, and our up and downs were reminiscent of one of the better rides at the PNE. The FALCON TRAVELS% Sine TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS | PRESENT FALL AIR / SEA CRUISES San Francisco........... 1 departure only — Sept. 22 — 5 nights saeeee from $599.00 RENO. 2... cece eee eee eee eee from $619.00 1 departure only — Sept. 22 — 5 nights Las Vegas........-.......-005 from $749.00 2 departures—Sept. 21—8 nights—Sept. 22—7 nights Disneyland............. 0.00 eee ees from $649.00 1 departure only — Sept. 21 — 7 nights see eeee from $1199.00 1 departure only — Sept. 27 — ~"40 nights All prices are in Canadian dollars based on Vancouver departures. Tax and insurance not included. FALCON TRAVELS _| sea gods were liberal with their contribution to our experience, and many of us near the back of the boat were showered with the salty stuff on more than one occa- sion, Secure seating and the knowl- edge that the Zodiac was sturdy, safe and well-skippered allowed all passengers to enjoy the ride, whether the sea was bumpy or smooth. Although whale sightings are impossible to guarantee, Sea Coast’s statistics show that whales are encountered more than 80 per cent of the time. “He always.gets his whale,’’ a fellow salt had quipped of Alex back at the dock, and it’s easy to see how our skipper has built for himself such a reputation. The Porpoise [1 is outfitted with marine radios and a waterproof cellular telephone. Acquaintances throughout the area telephone the craft whenever they spot the whales, and within seconds the Porpoise I1is off to find them. We had been travelling for almost an hour and rain had just Started to pour down when the first dorsal fin broke the surface of the water. Passengers were instantly galvanized, pointing, grabbing their cameras and trying to absorb the wonder of seeing the magnifi- cent creatures. Eric, our naturalist, told us they were members of the J pod, one of the three pods (J,K and L) resident in that area. Individuals and fami- ly trees withii each pod have been eruisesiiipcenters If you can afford a vacation You can afford a cruise vacation For more details call 985-7447 (SHIP) 1823 Capilano Rd. phote Poggy Trendell-Whittaker SUNE IS a good month to see killer whales in Socal waters. Those interested in seeing the marine mammals i in their natural habitat can take a trip from Victoria’s harbor with Sea Coast Expeditions. charted, and Eric passed a book of photos around with which we could identify some of our whales by their dorsal fins, As they repeatedly dove and surfaced, sometimes only 30 feet from our boat, we could hear the spray coming from their blowholes and their indrawn breaths. We tracked the whales for about 45 minutes near Pender Island, then turned for home. Along the way we had another treat in store as we found ourselves amongst a frolicking group of Dall’s porpoises. These miniature killer whale-lookalikes leapt around the boat, swam under it, followed it and otherwise amazed us for several minutes. As you can see by watching their forms under the water, they travel at incredibly fast speeds at which they can execute seemingly im- possible hairpin turns. Once again cruising home, digesting our memories and dreaming about tea at The Em- press, the unexpected occurred. WHALE HO! Out of the blue, Alex had spotted another pod of whales, cavorting near a point just off the Victoria coastline. Jt wasn’t long before we had caught up to the L pod, and none of us could hold back our cheers — Alex and Eric included. For the whales were putting on a show par extraordinaire —~— all around us, young and old orcas were slapping the water with their tails, flipper- lobbing and coming up out of the water to execute stunning breaches. Although trips are scheduled for three hours, Alex kept us out for almost an extra half hour to enjoy this unexpected experience. Enthusiasm was high all around when we docked, and our skipper had his hand wrung repeatedly by grateful passengers. Although the whales were the obvious highlight of the journey, cruising in the Zo- diac had been excitement enough, and one man remarked that ‘‘it had been one of the nicest things he’d ever done.’’ The trip costs $65 for adults, $40 for children. Guaranteed sighting arrangements cost $80 and $50 for kids. Reservations are strongly recommended (call 477-1818), but, if you happen to be near Dock A, near Victoria’s tourist information centre, you might catch Alex there. Sea Coast expeditions run from May through September, «t 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. “WANTED’’ All former members of NORTH SHORE RESCUE (formerly called ‘‘E.M.O.”’ Emergency Measure Organization North Vancouver) FOR 25TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION September 15, 1990 Please call (604) 985-1311 Local 459 1280 Marine Drive., N. Van. (Across from Save-On- -Foods) 986- $321 \ \acie)