Spotlight: Killer Whales

Few wildlife encounters are as unforgettable as spotting a killer whale slicing through the water off the Victorian coast. Also known as orcas, these striking black-and-white predators are the largest members of the dolphin family and among the most intelligent hunters in the ocean.

Throughout the years, killer whales have been regularly sighted along both Phillip Island and Wilsons Promontory, often during the cooler months when humpback whales begin their annual migration along Australia’s east coast. These sightings are always special, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of one of the ocean’s top predators.

Killer whales are up to 8m in length and can weigh 3.5-5.4 tonnes. They live in highly social family groups called pods. Pod size can vary from just a few individuals to more than 20 animals depending on food availability and social structure. These groups are tightly bonded, with individuals often staying with their mothers for life. Their lifespan averages about 50-80 years, and different pods can have unique vocal dialects and hunting traditions passed down through generations.

Their hunting techniques are some of the most sophisticated in the animal kingdom. Around the world, killer whales work together to herd fish into tight bait balls, create waves to wash seals from ice floes, and even target large whales. Orcas are known to follow migrating humpback whales, particularly calves or weakened individuals. While humpbacks are massive animals, killer whales rely on teamwork, endurance, and coordination to exhaust their prey.

Along the Victorian coastline, these predators are thought to use the annual humpback migration as an opportunity to patrol productive feeding grounds. The nutrient-rich waters around Phillip Island and Wilsons Prom create ideal habitat not only for whales, but also for dolphins, seals, seabirds, and large schools of fish that attract marine predators higher up the food chain.

Despite their name, killer whales are not whales at all. They are actually oceanic dolphins, capable of reaching speeds of more than 50 kilometres per hour. Adult males can grow up to eight metres long and are easily recognised by their towering dorsal fins, which can stand nearly two metres tall.

Every orca sighting along our coastline is a reminder of how connected these marine ecosystems are. From the migration of humpback whales to the movement of baitfish and seabirds, the arrival of killer whales signals a healthy and dynamic ocean environment.

For wildlife enthusiasts visiting Phillip Island, keeping an eye on the horizon during whale season can sometimes lead to an extraordinary surprise. You never know when a pod of orcas might appear cruising through Bass Strait.

Image of our vessel and killer whales at Pyramid Rock captured by Clair Davie, all other images taken from our cruises.