Close Passes in the Roughest Seas Yet
Three distinct bird swirls, two enormous oil slicks, and the roughest seas we’ve undertaken yet set the tone for the day. Breaching orcas in the distance were our first glimpse of the action. From the moment we spotted them, we could feel it — there was something in the air! The ocean was roaring, the killer whales were bursting with energy, and everyone on board knew this was going to be a special encounter.
Orcas on the Hunt
The pods were spread as far as the eye could see, tacking through whitewashed waves with speed and precision. We followed one pod still carrying chunks of meat between their jaws. A female and her calf swam directly toward us, almost as if to show off their prize. As we rode the white caps alongside them, more individuals surfaced around the vessel. Their ease and agility in the roaring swell reminded us how incredible it is to witness these apex predators in their element.
Social Hour with Split-tip and Maleko
When most of the orcas returned to their home ranges, we moved west with Split-tip and Maleko’s pods. To our one o’clock, action stretched from just 10 metres away out to a mile. Four juveniles bow rode beside us, darting under the hulls before breaching ahead in a burst of energy. Behind them, Slim Shady — a boisterous sprouting male — tail slapped, swam upside down, and launched out of the water with an almighty splash. It soon became clear he was showing off to Kwilana.
Riding the Waves and Close Passes with Killer Whales
Then came a moment that’s hard to describe. The swell had built, but we were now rolling down following seas. Slim Shady and his companion appeared at the bow, their full bodies visible just beneath us. We watched them dart between the hulls with millimetre precision, dorsal fins slicing the surface. Suddenly, every orca from the two pods — twelve in total — surfaced ahead of us. Waves lifted them above eye level before they surged back toward the vessel. We weren’t just watching; we were riding the waves with them. These close passes had the whole bow cheering, sharing the thrill with those in the wheelhouse.
Four Pods and Endless Action
Throughout the day, we encountered over four pods — Maleko, Split-tip, Koomba, and “Russel Sprout.” The orcas delighted in lifting their flukes, tail slapping, and flicking their peduncles high. This behaviour often reveals their genital slits, which allows us to determine their sex: females have two black dots for mammary glands, while males are pure white.
Ending the Day with Two More Close Passes
By the afternoon, the orcas had burnt off their energy, regrouping into family pods — likely in search of an afternoon feed. Two final close passes brought them within metres of the vessel, a perfect finale to an extraordinary day. Ending on such a high left everyone on board grinning from ear to ear.
