Paul Pudwell of Sooke Whale Watching came across at least 40 whales feeding and frolicking in the waters off Race Rocks. (Paul Pudwell/Sooke Whale Watching)

Paul Pudwell of Sooke Whale Watching came across at least 40 whales feeding and frolicking in the waters off Race Rocks. (Paul Pudwell/Sooke Whale Watching)

Sooke Whale Watching spots large gathering of whales, orcas

Animals feeding and frolicking at Race Rocks

  • Tim Collins Sooke News Mirror
  • Wednesday, November 20, 2019 2:10pm
  • News

Tim Collins

Sooke News Mirror

VICTORIA — Paul Pudwell, the owner of Sooke Whale Watching, doesn’t expect to see large numbers of whales gathering in the region’s waters this late in the season, but that changed earlier this month.

“I was just east of the Race Rocks lighthouse at around 11 a.m. [Nov. 4] when I spotted them,” Pudwell said.

“These animals are so amazing you just never get tired of watching them. And seeing this many together, this late in the season, it was spectacular.”

Pudwell estimated that about 20 humpback whales were gathered in the area, and he speculated that they were probably taking advantage of a large amount of herring and other baitfish in that area.

“It’s like someone rung the dinner bell and they all came for a meal,” Pudwell said.

Even more surprising, resident orcas from J and K pods had gathered in the area as well.

“For the killer whales to have gathered there they must have had other fish there as well that were feeding on the bait fish.”

What was heartening to Pudwell was that all the whales he saw seemed healthy and well fed.

“We hear so many bad stories about whales these days, it was nice to see something like this. This was definitely something good.”

Unfortunately for Pudwell, the sighting took place while he was out on the water “just looking for some whales.”

“It was a nice day so I thought I’d take the boat out and see what I could find, and I sure wasn’t disappointed. It’s too bad I didn’t have others on the boat with me,” Pudwell said.

The bulk of Sooke Whale Watching’s business occurs during Sooke’s busy summer tourist season, but Pudwell pointed out that there are whales in the region’s waters all year.

“The humpbacks will start migrating south this time of year, but if there’s food around they’ll stay here for a long time,” Pudwell said.

“But whales can be seen all year round. And every time I see them, I still get a thrill.”

More in News

Frank Lowenstein was hired as the Dungeness River Nature Center’s executive director in September 2024. (Frank Lowenstein)
River center director dismissed

Board is looking for candidate to fill role

Weekly flight operations scheduled

There will be field carrier landing practice operations for aircraft… Continue reading

A demonstrator carrying an American flag walks the sidewalk in front of the Clallam County Courthouse on Saturday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Demonstrators march at courthouse

A demonstrator carrying an American flag walks the sidewalk in front of… Continue reading

Port Angeles High School twin graduates Kaylie Mast, left, and Kendall Mast, communicate with their friends by text while waiting for the start of the 2025 graduation parade on Friday. The parade began at Ediz Hook and culminated with a formal ceremony Friday evening at Port Angeles Civic Field. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Graduation parade

Port Angeles High School twin graduates Kaylie Mast, left, and Kendall Mast,… Continue reading

Suzy Ames.
College pivoting to meet deficit

School cuts more than $2 million in expenses

Pleasant Harbor Resort still seeking approval

Disagreements lead to delays and layoffs

Retiring Port Angeles School District Superintendent Marty Brewer, right, shares a career experience as his replacement, Michelle Olsen, listens during a retirement gathering on Thursday at Lincoln Center in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Olsen sworn in as PASD superintendent

Stevens Middle School name change proposed with four options

Two hospitalized following head-on collision

Two people were transported to Olympic Medical Center following… Continue reading

Royal Canadian Navy to conduct exercises

The Royal Canadian Navy’s Maritime Forces Pacific will conduct… Continue reading

Power outage scheduled in Freshwater Bay area

Clallam County Public Utility District No. 1 has scheduled power… Continue reading

Slope repair work slated for Highway 19 on Tuesday

Maintenance crews from the state Department of Transportation will… Continue reading