Watch: Super-pod of orcas return off coast of Pender Island B.C.

It appears the ‘super-pod’ of orca whales has made another appearance this week.

About 50 whales were spotted off the coast of Galiano Island early last week and now that same pod may have come back past Pender Island.

Shelley Nicholson from ‘Gulf Islands App’ said whales often swim past the marina on Pender Island. “Thieves Bay Marina on North Pender Island is a popular place to watch the sunset and a whale show for locals and tourists,” she said in an email.

However, on Wednesday, September 4, she saw many more whales than usual.

“I would estimate up to 50 plus for a number,” she said. “I missed the first 15 or so and there were quite a few out farther.”

Nicholson also saw the pod that passed Galiano Island last week, but she did not have a camera with her. She said this pod looked very similar.

“I just sat and smiled as they went by, thinking everyone should experience this once in their lives, and how blessed so many of us are to see these beautiful creatures up so close in the wild,” she said.

There were about 20 people watching this pod go by.

“British Columbia is a pretty amazing place to live and it is important that we don’t take what we have here for granted,” Nicholson added. “Whales don’t belong in captivity and it is important we look after our oceans to make sure we can continue to watch them in the wild.”