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September 22, 2026
On September 19, we had the privilege of partnering with the Double Bay Sanctuary Foundation for a very special fundraising whale watching trip from Telegraph Cove. The day brought together incredible wildlife, meaningful conversations and an opportunity for our guests to experience the future home of Double Bay Sanctuary firsthand.
Our adventure began with humpback whales as we made our way toward Hanson Island and the sanctuary. It was a very fitting way to start a day dedicated to celebrating and protecting the incredible marine life of Northern Vancouver Island.
A Warm Welcome to Double Bay
When we arrived at Double Bay Sanctuary, we were welcomed by Hereditary Chief Ernest Alfred, ‘Namgis, Tlowit’sis, and Mamalilikala First Nations with traditional drumming and song, followed by a welcome speech. Michael Reppy, founder of the Double Bay Sanctuary Foundation, then spoke with our guests about the sanctuary’s mission and the work underway to one day bring Corky home to her native waters.
Corky is a Northern Resident killer whale who was captured from the waters of British Columbia in 1969. The vision for Double Bay Sanctuary is to provide a natural ocean environment where Corky could return to the region she came from while receiving lifelong care. Guests were given time to explore the lodge, enjoy homemade baked goods and chat with Michael and other members of the Double Bay team. It was a wonderful opportunity to ask questions, learn more about the project and experience the beautiful environment where the sanctuary is being developed.
An Incredibly Fitting Wildlife Encounter
After saying goodbye to the Double Bay team, we headed back onto the water to continue our whale watching adventure. And the wildlife had something pretty special in store for us. We encountered members of the A34 and G2 matrilines of Northern Resident killer whales. For many of our guests, this was their first time ever seeing Northern Residents in the wild.
After spending the morning learning about Corky and her connection to the Northern Resident population, seeing members of that same population swimming through their home waters was an incredibly meaningful way to end our visit. We were even able to lower our hydrophone and listen to the whales vocalizing beneath the surface. The encounters did not stop there. Throughout the day, guests also experienced Pacific white-sided dolphins, lunge-feeding humpback whales, Steller sea lions and harbour seals.
More Than a Whale Watching Trip
This trip was about so much more than seeing whales!
It was an opportunity to connect people with the wildlife and waters of Northern Vancouver Island while learning about an ambitious project taking place right here in our own backyard. Guests were able to hear directly from the people behind Double Bay Sanctuary, ask questions and better understand the work involved in creating a sanctuary for Corky. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us, to Ernest Alfred for welcoming our group, and to Michael and the entire Double Bay Sanctuary team for opening their doors and sharing their work with us.
