Orcas

Orcas, which are more commonly called killer whales, are seen frequently around Sitka.  There is not a resident pod of killer whales in Sitka Sound but there are frequently transient pods spotted around town.  Orcas like many other whales travel in pods.  A pod is a family group and numbers anywhere from three members to more than 15.  Killer whales are actually the largest of all the dolphin species! They are recognized the world over due to their distinctive black and white markings.

Killer whales hunt in family groups and are opportunistic predators.  There are no recorded attacks of wild Orcas on humans but their prey includes salmon, halibut, seals, sea-lions, other whales (specifically whale claves), penguins and sea turtles. These amazing marine mammals are commonly called “wolves of the sea” for good reason! Join Captain Ben on your own killer whale watching tour, and we’ll visit the sites where orcas are frequently seen so you can experience them up close in the wild.