San Diego’s killer whales are BACK… and this time they brought a HUGE adult male with them.
Just after the storm, under silver skies and across a steel-gray sea, we found ourselves surrounded by one of the largest orca groups we’ve seen in a long time. For over an hour and a half, these incredibly friendly killers cruised beside our vessel, turning the entire ocean into absolute chaos.
The whales passed us again and again, surfing effortlessly in our wake and popping their faces out of the swells so close to the boat that you felt like you could almost reach out and boop them on the snoot.
And the whole time, the suspense was unreal.
More than 10 humpback whales were spouting on the horizon. Hundreds of dolphins dotted the distance. Every time the orcas disappeared beneath the surface, we held our breath wondering what would happen next.
Were they heading toward a massive humpback?
Were they sneaking off to corral a dolphin?
Or were they simply enjoying the ride?
With every surfacing, every turn, and every towering dorsal fin slicing through the water, the tension stayed wound tighter than a violin bow.
Days like this are why we go out there.
The ocean was wild. The weather was moody. The whales were unforgettable.
And we can’t wait to get back out for sunset. 🌅🐋🖤
Naturalist, Alison
