April 18, 2024: J Pod | Nanaimo, BC

Date: April 18, 2024
Location: Neck Point, Nanaimo BC
Weather: Sunny with scattered clouds, 14 C
Tide: Flood 
Pods: J Pod
Total whale count: 25
Behaviors: Socializing and Traveling 
Boat Count: 0
Observer: Kendra Nelson 

J22 Oreo and J40 Suttles (Photo by Kendra Nelson)

J pod was reported traveling South in the Strait of Georgia. I headed out to Neck Point around 4:30 to wait for them. 

The weather was beautiful, sunny, and warm with a light breeze, a great day to sit and look for J Pod. Looking North towards the Winchelsea Islands, I could faintly see them in my binoculars. They were very spread out in front of the islands and there was lots of breaching, tail slapping, and surface behavior.  

They were moving slowly, with the J19s passing by first, further out. I was able to snap a few photos of J19, J41, and J58. About 10 minutes later, J22, J40, J49, and J38 passed right off of Neck Point. They dive and popped back up a few minutes later, right beside paddle boarders.

The counter ended around 7pm but interestingly, Js headed South through Dodds Narrows, a pinch point between Nanaimo and Mudge Island. They did this at night but according to whale watchers in the area, it is rare for Js to go North or South through Dodds. In videos taken of them, heading North through Dodds on April 12th, J Pod lined up as they Exeter the narrows, and apparently did the same when they went South through Dodds on the 18th.

J Pod is one of three pods within the critically endangered Southern Resident killer whale population. J Pod consists of 6 matrilines and 25 individual whales.

Learn more about J Pod and all the 25 members on our Meet the Southern Resident Page.