Northern Resident Killer Whales Vancouver Island
Photo & Vacation Spot

A social species of dolphin, the northern resident killer whales often interact with boats in some way during a whale watching tour off Vancouver Island.

There are two main groups of orcas seen in the waters off Vancouver Island, namely the Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales.

Another species are the transient killer whales who are not considered a part of the resident pods and are less social. It is not uncommon for resident killer whales to interact with tour boats or check out their passengers by spyhopping beside them. At times they have been seen surfing in the wake of the vessels which ply the northern waters off Vancouver Island.

Two surfing Killer Whales, Orcinus orca, in the waters off Northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.