Boaters encounter orca hunting party and scene is ‘bananas’

The extraordinary killer whale encounter off California featured an elephant seal kill an ‘orca party’ alongside the boat.

Those on an exploratory cruise to San Miguel Island off Ventura on Wednesday were massively rewarded with the discovery of 15 orcas attacking and feasting on a large elephant seal.

As if that weren’t enough, afterward the sleek and powerful mammals became playful and curious, unleashing an array of acrobatic behaviors as passengers and crew watched in awe.

“Yesterday was absolutely bananas [and] here are some photos to prove it,” Delaney Trowbridge, a Pacific Offshore Expeditions captain, exclaimed Thursday via Instagram. “What followed after the kill could only be described as an ‘orca party’ as they erupted into breaches, spyhops, and tail lobs!”

Photo: ©Delaney Trowbridge

San Miguel Island, 70 miles west of Ventura, Ca., is extremely remote so Trowbridge and co-captain Ryan Lawler were fortunate that the gamble paid off beyond expectations.

“I have been lucky to enjoy many amazing encounters with killer whales in Southern California waters over the years, but this one was an 11 [out of a possible] 10,” Trowbridge stated.

Photo: ©Delaney Trowbridge

The group first encountered a family pod of seven orcas porpoising at high speed.

Lawler, who captured video footage showing a portion of the seal hunt, explained via Instagram that the seven orcas led the group to two other family groups that had surrounded the seal. (See footage below.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_QueaIPNCe/

Northern elephant seals can weigh more than 4,000 pounds so a single seal is a blubbery prize for Bigg’s killer whales, which prey almost exclusively on other marine mammals.

Lawler continued: “The seal had no chance as it was surrounded by 15 Killer Whales, and they spent hours holding the seal captive as they bumped and harassed it before finally killing it.”

The orca family groups included the scientifically cataloged CA216Bs, the CA138s, and a portion of the CA27s, according to the California Killer Whale Project.

Photo: ©Delaney Trowbridge

San Miguel Island, a major rookery for seals and sea lions, is not routinely visited by commercial whale-watching companies.

But Pacific Offshore Expeditions has scheduled a series of 8-hour whale-watching excursions and “Killer Whale Quests” within Channel Islands National Park, possibly including San Miguel Island.

Rare orca sighting caught on video at Channel Islands National Park

See them swim!

Get a glimpse of some of the magnificent creatures that swim in the waters around California’s one and only Channel Islands National Park.

While several species call the Channel Islands home, some are more likely to make an appearance than others. One of the species known for staying out of the limelight is the orca. Eagle-eyed wildlife watchers have to be pretty lucky to spot one of these curious animals.

Recently, a ranger patrolling the area around the park’s San Miguel Island lucked out and saw a pod of orcas for himself. As Channel Islands National Park recently explained in a Facebook post, “Although sightings of orcas around the Channel Islands are rare, they can happen at any time of the year.”

See this orca sighting for yourself in the video below.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=765451632164134

Note: The featured image is a stock photo used to illustrate the story.

Dive into the deep end on a trip to Channel Islands National Park

Come on in, the water’s fine.

Off the California coast, Channel Islands National Park invites tourists to cross glittering blue waters for a world of adventure. Away from the chaos of city life in Los Angeles, these idyllic islands shine. Here’s what you can expect to see there.

Brilliant beaches? Check. Sea caves? Check. Natural beauty as far as the eye can see? Find it all at Channel Islands National Park. Swimmers, hikers, and divers will love exploring the region’s unique landscapes. If you’re planning a trip to the area, make sure to stop at the park’s top attractions. Experience what makes this destination so special. These seven spots will make your visit magical.