Everything you need to know about Killer Whales

The Central Coast is known for its marine life, but this spring there have been an unusual amount of Killer Whales in our waters, according to experts with Princess Monterey Whale Watching.

Out on the Monterey Bay, it is not uncommon to come across friendly Humpback Whales or Grey Whales, but experts tell KION that Orca sightings are rare.

“To see them in their natural environment is not something you see every day,” said Jeff Shindell with Princess Monterey Whale Watching.

According to Shindell, the Orcas, or Killer Whales as they are commonly known, are constantly traveling across the globe and that is why it can be hard to spot them.

“They (the Orcas) move around from the warmer waters of Baja to the south all the way to the San Juan Islands and to the Gulf of Alaska as well,” said Shindell.

While the whale’s movements are hard to track, their appetites are not.

“They do like to eat dolphins, sea lions, Harbor Seals and they will eat otters too,” said Shindell. “They will also work together and track down mother and calf grey whales.”

When Orcas go after dolphins you might see dozens of them swimming frantically away because they are so afraid that an Orca might eat them.

“They are the apex predators of the sea,” said Shindell. “The only thing above them on the food chain on Planet Earth are human beings.”

The Orca sightings, on the Central Coast have created a lot of excitement.

“I’ve had people come up to me and high five me, shake my hand, hug me and even cry because of the sheer joy and excitement that they get by seeing this,” said Shindell.

If you want to try your hand at some whale watching there are several options at Monterey’s Fishermen’s Wharf and at Moss Landing too.