Kayaking with Orca, or Killer Whales off Sooke, BC on Vancouver Island.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- Theyre All Around Us!
Who knew when I woke up on this Thursday morning that it was going to be an extraordinary day that would produce a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
It was a beautiful afternoon with calm seas; so, Allan from West Coast Outdoor Adventure Rentals www.westcoastou... and I decided to take the Hobie kayaks for a spin. Heading out towards Secretary Island just off Sooke, BC in the Juan de Fuca Strait, we got word there was a large pod of Orcas close by. We were so excited to receive this news and at the prospect of seeing killer whales; we were immediately intrigued. As luck would have it, the whales were just as intrigued by us.
We could see the whales were swimming near Otter Point, about a mile and a half from where we drifted and bobbed about like buoys in our kayaks. We could just make out the black specks of dorsal fins on the horizon. The killer whales were hugging the shoreline, so we were completely amazed at the events that would take place over the next 30 minutes.
Even though we were in the open, usually turbulent, waters of the Juan de Fuca Strait, we were in a flood tide so paddling was smooth-effortless. We held our position and the whales got closer, and closer. The entire pod was heading our way. The pod got a little closer, then a lot closer. Then they were all around us! And under us! And beside us!
A mother and her calf gave us an unbelievable experience; if I hadnt caught the scene on video, I would never have believed it. I can wholeheartedly say that this was one of the most stunning, thrilling (and scary!) events of my life. Mother and baby swam straight towards us, and dove directly in front of the bow of my kayak. I could see them both swimming under my kayak and then disappear into the depths. Not knowing where or when then would emerge, I sat in anticipation. And then, they surfaced directly in front of my kayak.
Wow. Unbelievable! They were all around us. Dont believe me? Think Im exaggerating? This is no fishermans tall tale, and I have the video to prove it. Join me on my adventure and watch this astonishing recount.
Dont forget to check out the official Discover Sooke Online website to learn more about Sooke businesses and our community www.discoversooke.com. www.discoversoo...
West Coast Outdoor Adventure Rentals is located at Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina www.sookeharbou...
**UPDATE**
We'd like like to let everyone know that we have been in contact with the DFO (Department of Fisheries and Oceans) as they had some concerns about this video.
We assured them that our intentions that day were NOT to intentionally place ourselves in the middle of whales, but rather head out in hopes that we might witness them passing by from a safe distance.
"L-POD" were spaced out about 1km in diameter, which placed us amongst them before we even knew it as they were close to shore and moving very quickly. We felt that we didn't have the ability to safely move out of the way nor did we have the time. They appeared around us as quickly as it started. There were fishing vessels and a whale watching boat near us, so we felt we were doing the proper thing by just staying where everyone else was.
West Coast Outdoor Adventure Rentals does not rental kayaks for the Strait of Juan de Fuca and are only used in the Sooke Harbour and Basin. These were not rented, we were on our own time.
For whale guidelines and regulations, please vist the Whale Wise website:
www.straitwatch...
**END OF UPDATE**
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Holy crap... When they swam right under your boat then that one came right at you, I flipped. That was absolutely amazing.
I once saw a killer whale in a fjord in western Norway while waiting for the ferry. It came right up to us too! Unfortunately it was gone before I managed to grab my camera. I will never forget it though. One of the most beautiful creatures I've ever seen!
It looked like those orcas were going straight for him but they ended up just diving below his kayak. Shows that these creatures have not intentionally harmed humans in the wild.
How do you know?
@@sunnyvalejedi because if they did then it would mean this would be the first time a human has ever been attacked by an orca in the wild.
@@generalkenobi5173 How do you know it hasn't already happened?
@@sunnyvalejedi because it hasn't otherwise it would have been documented 😑 people have swam with orcas in the wild and not one attack happened. Stop being so negative i understand ur caution but killer whales and whales as a whole won't attack u unless u provoke them. Also its been recorded killer whales have a very strict diet that we aren't in. There are different kinds of killer whales with different diets.
@@generalkenobi5173 How do we know that someone hasn't been taken down by one? It's not like they're here to tell us.
I watched this video in '10 and told myself someday I would "meet" those Orcas. Over 3 years and 3000 miles later, I'm here living in the Pugent Sound area. Sadly, Ruffles is no longer alive, but I had the pleasure of seeing other J and L pod members. It was my first time seeing resident Orcas, though I did see transients my first day in the area. Thank you for sharing your amazing experience! I'm patiently awaiting my passport so I can visit Sooke Harbor :)
THIS is how these magnificent creatures are meant to be viewed: in their natural habitat! NOT in a 35ft tank at an amusement park! I'm terrified of being on boats or any sort, but I wish I could get over that and be able to go on such a liberating experience as this!
I really hope you get over your fear and see how beautiful the creatures are🥰 because I'm telling you that you are going to love it ♥️👌
I am obsessed with orcas! Ever since on was a little girl I had the chance to swim with one and I love them soooooo much they don't harm people unless you harm them or their family
These creatures are very intelligent mammals. In the wild there are no known cases of them attacking humans. Curious and mischievous for sure.
Along time ago i went for a dip on the East coast along with some buddies in the Bay of Fundy,We did not know at the moment but a whole pod was swimming around us. Didn't take us long to get out of the water but as being normal humans and never seen these magnificent creatures in the wild before we got the living shit scared out of us!.But seeing them in the wild we were in awe! I was glad to have the privilege once in my life time!! All i can say it was bloody amazing!!! I had realised after then they don't belong in any aquarium for people to see.There should be no more capturing.The ones in captivity or the ones born should remain as they won't know how to survive in the wild.You haven't seen a erect dorsal on a full grown orca, until you see it in open water, it is huge!! That just shows how healthy it is. They have attacked and killed trainers in captivity but that is only because they have been cooped up for so long and they get bored. Even sea lions,seals and dolphins believe it or not. As my brother use to be a trainer and got bit on the back of the calf while coming out of the pool on the plat form and ended up with quite a few stitches.
If you ever get a chance this is the place to see them..... in the wild they are more amazing then seeing them as a amusement in a park some where.
This is my dream!! I love Orcas so much!
It's only a dream till they tip your boat and drag you down 40 or 40 feet down and watch you struggle to the surface...then it becomes a nightmare.
Not in wild, in sea world maybe...educate yourself.
+Teressa Camparri ok I studied all night..and what I discovered is that eating to much fatty foods can lead to heart disease and that orcas tip your kayak over only if you rant representing the right gang signs..fact.
Chuck Nolan doesn't happen in their natural habitat , I mean not ever , Sea World, and places like that? Then yes they very well may do what you're saying , so let's all do what we can to keep them from being in captivity , sometimes all we can do s sign a petition , but it's something
Shybear sammeeee
This is so beautiful. Orcas are beautiful creatures and this must be such an amazing experience.
Anyone who is posting a reference to the doc Blackfish does not seem to understand that this video in no way appears to be harming the whales. The kayakers are minding they're own business and happen to see a pod of whales in the Vancouver area, which is completely normal. The kayakers are not HARMING the whales, the kayakers are watching them from a distance and the whales happened to, being the emotional beings they are, swim up to the kayaker sand say hello! It was the whales choice to swim up to them and stop by for a visit, the kayakers didn't go to a 100ft cement pool filled with chlorine to force a visit, it all happened organically! I love the documentary blackfish, and I am a strong advocate for marine mammals freedom, but I do not think referencing blackfish is appropriate for this encounter.
Orcas look much healthier and happier in the wild but blackfish isn't really the place to get educated about these amazing animals. Blackfish put 69 lies into the movie. Do your own research. I'm not saying you can't be against seaworld, I'm just saying that blackfish lies ALOT about killer whales.
I'm in the middle of David Neiwert's book Of Orcas and Men and i highly recommend it to people who want to learn more about these animals.
+Luna Orca12 Says who? SeaWorld? Try finding an independent and objective source before berating a movie. It doesn't lie, you just decided to swallow SeaWorld's opinion on it. Try watching a fall from freedom or frontline: a whale of a business. Educate yourself beyond captivity related sources.
Alyona Lagunov 👍
We fished in Sooke all our adult lives in powerboats and the whales would always voluntarily swim under us.Just recently as the fish are becoming scarce we hear of fishermen and whales fighting over the same fish. I say let the whale have it. They are bigger than me!!!
In New Zealand they are simply known as Orca . I know that they are called Killer Whales in other places , but we do not call them that. They are regarded as Spirits of the Ancestors by some . I find this a nice way to see them. Ingrid swims with them , and some actually play with her .
We are starting to understand that Orca are a good measure of marine pollutants ( do a tissue sample ) . As we all depend upon the sea, this is important.
Orca make me smile :-)
we have similar beleifs in Canada. only colonial nazis call them killer whales here.
If I lived on the west coast I would be out there everyday just to experience these beautiful, powerful, gorgeous creatures in their natural habitat. You guys are so lucky.
SunnehShides they are out East too! I have seen every kind of whale, dolphin and orca in Newfoundland. Hundreds!
@@fembot521 yes tbere are different kinds of subtypes and ecotypes of orca all over the world
Though it would not be natural for them if you and hundreds of like minded people were chasing them around here all day, every day. Sadly, our whales experience that during non pandemic times. Every single day those noisy loud whale watching boats come way closer than they are legally supposed to. 😑
They're in all oceans but more prevalent on the West coast. I've never seen them in FL waters though. The water may be too warm here at least in the Summer.
SO jealous. I've been out there and very close and that moment when they sneak up on you and you hear them exhale is just amazing...but being THAT close is like the coolest thing that could ever happen to you.
It's like the orcas are saying, "Excuse us, we're just passing through. Have a nice day!"
Such gentle, beautiful creatures. ❤
I am so so jelous. Got big soft spot for orca whales. I just totally love them. Wow this video is amazing.
This! This is How I want to see orca's in Real Life! Not performing cheap tricks in Sea world where they hurt each other and are being separated for the money. No This... in Real Life out in the wild! What a beautiful Video!
Donovan Leonard and "the cove". There several docs out there that show the shit show the go thru to get these animals.
Donovan Leonard I have watched blackfish amazing documentary
Phamy Caint and if you want a show some groups have been known to put on impromptu shoes when they realize they have an audience. I often imagine they are as fascinated by us as we are by them. I want to visit Saturna Island to see them if I can.
They are so happy and free
Just wrapped up an hour long youtube session with my daughters. We desperately want to come to Sooke, soon we will! Never going to SeaWorld, ever! My girlz know that wild orcas are much happier than captive. They need to see these creatures in their own habitat.
Bravo for teaching this to your daughters.
I have to do this before I die......great video
So cool. Thanks for the visual experience! Beautiful animals and where they should always be...free.
5:17 for close encounter.
Good-sized bull.
The world needs more you.
This is on my bucket list. Orcas are truly magnificent creatures. I fear and respect their powe and mastery of the oceans. I'd be scared for sure
I would be scared shitless! I hate deep water. I'll keep my feet planted on the earth and just watch these videos.
I'm with you and feel the same way about deep water !!!
Yeah I agree, im extemely scared of deep open sea
Yes but its exciting like being on a giant roller coaster- exciting and scary at same time. Thrilling.
Sooke has a lot of sports fishing boats and local pods often circle boats in hopes of catching a salmon on the line or else going after seals and sea lions lured away from shore to do the same thing. Whales could have mistaken their paddle boat for a sea lion until they got closer.
Transient whales often use ships as a screen... allowing them to approach sea lion and seal rocks without their fins being seen.
It's amazing to see how animals are in their true natural environment!! #boycottseaworld
Nice way to show the Orcas! They were not disturbing them! They were using eco-friendly silent water transportation! I'm jealous for their experience! Amazing!
And that's where they need to stay! Not in sea world.
Agreed!!! 👊🏾🇳🇬🇺🇸
I love how you get more and more frantic at trying to get your buddy's attention when they're swimming under your kayaks.
"Dude, lookit, they're right under us. LOOKIT!"
I'd do the exact same thing, which makes it even more entertaining. That is an amazing video, though, I'm jealous.
If someone asked me whether I'd want to travel the moon or share the exact same experience you did, I wouldn't even have to think it through.
This must be so breathtaking, I totally would have cried if I had been in your position...amazing.
And how the mother seems to show her baby "This are humans, humans are bad"...they are amazing and you are incredibly lucky
How lucky you are to spot them this close! What an unforgettable life experience! Can you do that without a ny license, by simply renting a kayak and opening to the ocean like that? Because this is my lifetime dream since 20+ years !!!
Thanks for commenting, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Yes, certainly it could happen to you. There are many opportunities around Vancouver Island to rent a kayak on the ocean. The rest is up to chance.
Please note there are some new whale wise guidelines in place. You must remain 200 meters (approx. 600') from them at all times, minimum. However in a kayak if they choose to come to you, there is not much you can do.
So amazing. This is how you see whales. Not at fucking Sea World.
I LOVE this thrilling! Love you Orcas! 🐳🐋💙💫💙
He talks so canadian :)
+Nikolaj Vølver "Eh!" :) Yes, we really do say that - and say it frequently, inadvertently :)
Just givin er, eh?
Hard not to talk Canadian when your a Canadian, living in Canada…lol
This was so cool to watch. Big older male you could tell he’s older cause of his wavy dorsal fin. Some juveniles, cows, bulls and calves. Just an entire family of orcas. That was awesome.
Amazing. I would love to see wild Orca!
Daenerys Targaryen
me too but i'd probably crap my pants
much better than Sea World. I hate them. Thank you for sharing these beautiful creatures in a natural environment. This is the way it should always be.
that was definitely ruffles. so cool to see him up close like this before his disappearance. it seems like you guys didn't just see L-pod but all parts of the 3 pods in J-clan.
Orcas are simply beautiful. I love seeing them enjoy the freedom. This is wonderful.
Ahhh what an amazing experience you must have had!! I love this!
Came across this video in preparation for my upcoming trip to Johnstone Strait to kayak with orcas....seeing your footage made me even more excited!! First time seeing an orca in the wild ~ cannot wait!!!
That was amazing, they were so close!
Wow! Awesome video I would love to see Orcas up close like this!
This is where they belong not in some cage but out in the open water where they are meant to be
Those boats are really innovative..
Wow, I definitely want to take a trip there!
Oh My God!!!! AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome footage.... unbelievable! What A Magical Experience! I Love How Genuine This Video Is! Thank You So Much For Sharing! Be Blessed!
Yeah, that's a bit to close to be honest with you.
I've watched your video about 10 times now,it's friggen fantastic. It feels like i'm right there in some shots having them swim around under I was waiting for a few to breach, and it was fantastic 👌 watching 👀 😅. One day, I will see Orcas and the whales in the wild naturally. Thanks.💜💯🐳✌️
that's a priceless experience!
Amazing video, thank you for sharing it! I am moving from Calgary, Alberta to Sooke, BC in less than 2 weeks and can hardly wait to go whale watching and Kayaking.
Killer whales kill with kindness.
...Yeah kinda like the way a Spider eats anything caught in it's web extremely slowly does. It's a brilliant way to die.
😂🤣😳 Like how they'll mutilate a baby sea lion or Grey Whale for hours.
Yeah they mostly play with it before killing it XD.
@@sunnyvalejedi They HUNT grey whale for hours - until it weakens.
Not to mention the orcas at least kill their victims before eating them - while these disgusting cows baleen whales swallow their prey alive, and it dies burning alive in their stomach acid.
This has got to be one the most amazing human-orca relations caught on tape in the wild!
How can Sea world cage these beautiful creatures
Money, sadly☹️
+wurthit would you turn down tens of millions of dollars? people can change on a dime, for a dime, for any reason.
blueshirt06 yes I would they do not belong to any of us they belong in the wild.
6:08 "HOLY CHRIST!!" & the high pitched laughing...haha great video :)
Quick question: Do they sell Depends at the Kayak rental, or should I just bring my own?;)
This is where these wild animals should be enjoyed, in the wild!
Please be mindful during any adventure to keep it safe, respect your surroundings and leave as little a footprint as possible so it will be there to enjoy always :)
i would be getting the heck out of there i was scared just watching this
Amazing. Thank you. This video has sparked a desire to go there on our next family vacation. From northern MN. I bet you were terrified. Thanks again.
There are many whale watching tour groups on Vancouver Island but check the best time of year for optimum chance of sightings for orca and humpback whales. If you are a nature lover you will not be disappointed to visit our majestic wilderness. By the way, you are safer, by far, to be kayaking with orca close by than driving in your car.
This is just beautiful. Now this is how people should see orcas instead of going to any sea world. They belong in their natural habitat. I'd go crazy too if I was stuck in a small tank for the rest of my life.
I would be really scared
literally me. i love orcas so much but, open waters and big fish= anxiety for my 5'0 height. i think i'd just freeze up...
Cripes is right! I'd be amazed and crapping my pants at once! Awesome!!
I would of shit myself at 6:09
vShoTzZ25 omg same
It's all about being in that moment, the vibes they're giving are friendly. you definitely knew you were out of harms way
AMAZING & STUNNING !!
Amazing!!!! I kayak with bottlenose dolphins in redondo beach ca, but that looks way more intense! The orca were definantly curious about you
I dare you to kayak in a seal costume
As Orca use both sonar and vision to build a cross modal "image" unless they were actually hunting for seal in clear water, a costume would not fool them. In clear water Orca will intentially curtail the use of sonar to avoid alerting prey to their presense. In murky water they must rely on sonar to locate and target.
@@maxzorin9425 they're too smart to be fooled in clear or murky water
@@Pearg0ld surfeuropemag.com/features/news/killer-whales-attack-norwegian-surf-contest.html
Wow this is going on my bucket list
Imagine not haveing a boat and swimming in the water
+Slav BK To be honest, they may even help someone who might be swimming out that far, back to shore. There have been times where Orcas have helped drowning people from sea to shore. I saw a video of an Orca nudging a dog back on the shore.
Sgt. Keyboard Warrior There has never been a documented attack in the wild. They are dolphins and unimaginably intelligent. I wouldnt doubt that they would help someone in distress if they understood (underswam?) the situation. Plenty of dolphins have been documented helping humans in various ways in the wild.
There is not any evidence that orca's attacked humans in the wild.
@@Herman6507 There's no evidence they haven't, either.
I think some commenters are confusing orca with mermaids.
@@sunnyvalejedi I think you're fear mongering, until there is a case.
No one will care about your fear mongering
hahahaha when the whale watching boat zoomed by I LOLed. lived in Vancouver my whole life, been to Tofino, boating trips out on vancouver island several times, and never seen wild orcas. Something on the top of my list
Dam there so smart I would have shit myself I ain't goin lol
thanks to your video, now kayaking is on my bucket list!
Amazing!!!! 😍
Absolutely amazing video. Such a dream experience. Perfect. Such beautiful and majestic animals. Love Orca's so much.
how did you not know there was a staple in your face before you filmed this.
Wow!! I live on the island and I know how lucky you were to see them up so close like that. Right under the boat! Holy crap, even though I know they won't harm you it's still unerving to have something that big headed for you and swimming under your kayak!! Perhaps one day I'll be lucky too...
The DFO seriously thought you guys pursued the pod? In those kayaks? That seems a bit ridiculous. I get that they don't want them harrassed but how could anyone possibly pursue them in a craft like that.
hi uhuhjj jhuhjmijkii
Where did you see that?
They didn't pursue the pod. They were heading out to an island when they heard the Orcas were heading towards them, so they decided to stick around and see if they could spot any
I wish, I only wish I could have done this. I kayaked with dolphins in SC but Orcas, you are very lucky and have huge balls..your language on the clip makes the clip, so good to see someone who is able to express themselves without a four letter word.
cool! I would have shat myself!
They are very scary but they won't hurt you
Go watch Black fish on netflix!
Luckiest s.o.bs... I'm not trying to be disrespectful. Just a exciting expression. I'd give anything to be in their place. Really lucky. I love Orcas!!!
Guidelines are set--guidelines to help the Orcas so they don't become too acclimated to humans. Though the experience was wonderful for you, your video will attract others to do the same, and has the possibility of driving humans into the waters. Humans who have little knowledge of the territorial and feeding habits of wildlife need to educate themselves/ourselves. B.C. is a beautiful, wild place. Respect its waters and know that we share it with many animals--not only those of the human variety. kn
I so agree with you. When I saw this just now I couldn't believe they were even proud of themselves to get so close to those animals. Though it is only a video, it looks like he is even paddling towards them as soon as he spots one of them nearby.
He wasn't to close to the orcas and a good amount of the time it looked like the orcas were in his space. Not only that, but he never interacted with the orcas. What's the problem?
It's obvious that the orca came towards them, they are no match for their speed. They just sit and paddle the boat to turn it to watch. The bull is indeed checking him out and he's just in awe.
I'd rather have 50 of these waterbikes (that's what we call them in the Netherlands) in the water than 10 whale watching boats!
Wild and Free, as they all should be!
sweet video. Thanks. 💞
that is just awesome. my heart was in my throat the whole time. so cool!!! thanks for taping it!
My heart skipped a beat when you said it was underneath you. I'm right there with you, man. lol
I would have been scared shitless but then really excited at the same time, I love orcas
i think my face was just as crazily excited as yours there towards the end of the vid...so cool!
No, I operated a whale watching boat out of Sooke for a couple of years and have been on many many trips, so more of just local knowledge from being around them so much. But I have great respect for them.
This was off Vancouver Island, not Vancouver. If you come during the summer months and go out with a whale watching company, the chances of seeing Orca are about 95%, so really good.
@jjjjulialin I'm glad that you liked the video, it was quite the experience for me, one that I will not forget any time soon.
If you get over to Vancouver Island, let me know, we'll take you out whale watching for Killer Whales.
While I was out there, as you heard, I thought it was J1, yes he was alive then. However after I got back and spoke to a friend who operates a whale watching company, who was out that day after our encounter, said that it was L Pod that was there. It's still possible it was a wrong ID but the other company. Thanks for posting.
awww. RUFFLES!!!!!
i wanna go there and do this so bad.....i love orcas
Absolutely amazing. My husband and daughter kayak these waters all the time and have had many amazing experiences but never anything like this. This was exceptional...a little terrifying but exceptional all the same. Great video, thanks so much for sharing, WOW!!
WoW! I would be too scared to do this myself! I'm buzzing from just watching this so can only just begin to imagine what an adrenaline rush it must have been! Thanks for sharing!
When the fin was right in front of you guys my jaw dropped. You were that close to something so big! I wanna try this, it looks like a real rush!
This is amazing! I would kill to experience that!
@ImaWreckingBa11 I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching and commenting. It was a very positive experience not soon to forget. Have a great weekend.
They're so breathtaking, you are truly fortunate for that experience! I can only hope something even remotely close happens to me! Just gorgeous animals...
I would totaly cry if i even saw them, ive loved orcas since i was a kid