Killer Whales in Chatham Strait

Another wondrous day in the magical waters and lands of Southeast Alaska… exploring Funter Bay by foot and kayak in the morning, cruising Chatham Strait in search of wildlife in the afternoon.

And then, at 18:07 - Killer Whales! spotted directly off the ship’s bow. A hasty dash to cabins for cameras, binoculars, jackets. Out to the decks, and “ooohhhhh…!!!” Click click click

“1:00!” someone points slightly starboard. Dorsal fin arching, followed by smaller dorsal fin. Mother and her calf. Click click click

“Ahhh!!!” Three dorsal fins in succession, arching gracefully beside one another. Click click click

“Look there!” Much taller pointier male dorsals off to the right. Click click click

An air of deep reverence envelops the ship. Click click click

Then the show begins. Tremendous surface activity. Slaps and splashes. Bellies, fins and tails. And… what’s that pink? Click click click click click click click

It’s hard to tell what part belongs to which whale and exactly what’s going on beneath the surface. Killer whale super pod mating is rarely witnessed, and a first for all onboard, including our Naturalists. We are held spellbound for another hour, our ship expertly guided among these magnificent creatures, dinner held for us by patient kitchen staff.

Yep. Another wondrous day in the magical waters of Southeast Alaska.