Orcas are the ocean's apex predators and among the most intelligent animals on earth. Different populations specialize in radically different prey — fish-eating residents, mammal-hunting transients, and squid-specialist offshore pods — so where and when you encounter them depends entirely on which ecotype you are targeting. The dominant dive/snorkel travel destination is northern Norway between November and February, where orcas (and humpbacks) follow the winter herring run into the fjords around Skjervøy and Tromsø. Most encounters are from the surface — the water is cold and dark — but well worth the trip.
The year at a glance
Global aggregated reliability — at any given month, how reliably can you find this species somewhere in the world?
Where to see them in April
Orca (Killer Whale) is not reported at any destination this month. Check the full season breakdown below.
Full season breakdown
Peak Present Rare