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On Dive Report we list whale and dolphin species in our animal calendar, but please be aware that with Orcas this does not necessarily mean that you can easily dive with them in the locations listed. We have included them as there is a chance of them being spotted from the boat in transit or between dives, which is still exciting adding to the overall dive trip experience.
Orcas, also called killer whales, are actually not whales. They belong to the oceanic dolphin family, the largest ones. Killer whales were so named by Spanish sailors who observed them killing grey whales. In some parts of the world, it is illegal to interact with wild orcas.
Male orcas average 6 to 7 meters in length while females average 5 to 6 meters long. Orcas can reach up to 5,500 kg. Female orcas tend to live longer than males, up to 90 years old; where as males live about 50 years. Found in all the world's oceans, from the Arctic and Antarctic to the tropics, killer whales divide into three subspecies that do not intermingle. Resident whales navigate along coastal passages feeding exclusively on fish; transient whales inhabit the same waters but are markedly less social and more aggressive; offshore whales live in large groups of 30-60 or more.
Orcas hunt everything from fish to walruses, seals, sea lions, penguins, squid, sea turtles, sharks, and even other kinds of whales. Depending on the season and where they are, their diet varies. Some orcas eat more fish and squid than seals and penguins. But wherever they are in any of the world's oceans, average-sized orcas may eat about 500 pounds (227 kilograms) of food a day.
In 2008, the IUCN changed its assessment of the killer whale's conservation status from conservation dependent to data deficient, recognizing that one or more killer whale types may actually be separate, endangered species. A scientist by the name of Ken Balcomb discovered that U.S Navy sonar may harm killer whales. Many scientists noted increased boat traffic, water toxic wastes, and low salmon population as major threats putting approximately 87 killer whales on the British Columbia Coast in danger.
More detailed information about Orcas (Killer Whales) can be found here.
Algoa Bay, South Africa
Algoa Bay and surrounds hosts a number of dive sites. The accessibility of shore diving and the ease of boat diving, the close proximity of reefs to the launch site and the professional and personal care ensures that diving is a pleasure,...
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Alor Island, Indonesia
Alor is the last island furthest east and north in the East Nusa Tenggara province, more commonly know in Bahasa Indonesia as Nusa Tenggara Timur or NTT. NTT as a province is most famous for Komodo Island and it’s aboriginal inhabitants the...
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Oban & Inner Hebrides, United Kingdom
Oban is known as one of Scotland's main diving areas. The landscape is mountainous and the archipelago of islands offers many areas of sheltered water. There are large wrecks to explore from 5m-50m in sheltered conditions, and variety of marine life. The...
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Playas del Coco, Costa Rica
Playas del Coco is a small beach town in the northern province of Guanacaste. It is known for its great diving and large marine life, along with frequent sightings of Bull Sharks. Set on the northern Pacific coast, Playas del Coco (El...
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Raja Ampat, Indonesia
The reefs of the Raja Ampat are specifically referred to as ‘species factories’, replenishing other reef ecosystems by sweeping coral larvae across the Indian and Pacific Oceans via their strong currents. Raja Ampat is an archipelago of 1,500 islands, cays and shoals located...
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Tutukaka, New Zealand
Tutukaka is the gateway to the amazing Poor Knights Islands rated by Jacques Cousteau as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world! Tutukaka is on the beautiful Northland coast of New Zealand. Its marina is the perfect departure...
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Yap Islands, Micronesia
Mention Yap to a group of divers, and visions of Mantas will dance in their heads. There are some impressively large specimens in residence in the channels and bays around Yap. But Yap is about more than just Manta Rays. There...
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