Orca aren’t the only whales found in the waters of the San Juan Islands. Northern minke whales also live in the inland coastal waters of Washington but can be shy of boat traffic.

The largest of all dolphins (the Delphidae family), the orca is also known as killer whale, blackfish and grampus. At birth an orca can weigh up to 395 lbs. The adult weight can range from 2.6 tons to 9 tons. Orcas can swim up to 34 mph (55 km/h). A female orca’s milk contains about [...]

Learn more about the habits and habitat of Orca whales. Orcas spend their lives in long-term social groups, called pods (group size: 3-25) These pods are stable family-related groups. Orcas display a high level of care for their offspring. The orca’s gestation period is thought to be 12-16 months, with most calves born between October and March. In addition to the mothers, various

On Tuesday November 15, 2005, the federal government increased the level of protection for Puget Sound’s Orca whales by listing them as an endangered species. The Orcas were previously listed as a threatened species.

The Orca, also known as the “killer whale”, is the largest species of the oceanic dolphin family (Family Delphinidae). This toothed predator is one of the most widely distributed sea mammals on earth, and can be found in all of the world’s oceans. Fortunately, Outdoor Odysseys offers eco-friendly kayak tours in one of the world’s best orca whale watching areas