These Are the Waters in America Where You’re Likely to See Orcas

Orcas are fascinating marine mammals who consistently amaze us with their intelligence. It seems they are frequently displaying a previously unseen skill or behavior, like grooming each other with kelp or even donning salmon as hats! This time our favorite sea creatures have been doing something a bit more risqué: French kissing. In the Kvænangen fjords off the coast of northern Norway, citizens recently spotted two orcas engaged in prolonged tongue contact. For almost two minutes, one orca nibbled on the other orca’s tongue. Though similar behavior has been seen in captive orcas, this marks the first time the odd behavior was witnessed in the wild. Researchers believe the strange tongue action is either a form of play or intended to reinforce social bonds within pods. Whatever the reason behind the uncommon display, it's another unexpected example of advanced social dynamics within orcas.

These amazing animals are found in several locations throughout the world, including U.S. waters. They are always in pods, wildly intelligent, and awe-inspiring. Orcas, also known as killer whales, are the kind of marine mammal that you never forget if you ever have the chance to see one in person. These apex predators love dwelling in nutrient-rich, cold waters where prey is abundant. Their favorite foods? Seals and salmon. They are an integral part of marine ecosystems, contributing to entire ecotourism economies and inspiring conservation efforts throughout the United States. Learn more about orcas, including where you can find them, their social hierarchies, and the challenges they encounter at the hands of humans.

This post was updated on July 4, 2025 to include newly documented 'French kissing' behavior in orcas.

If you're interested in spotting an orca for yourself, your best bets include Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. This is where the water is cold enough and nutrients abound. They have plenty to snack on as well, which gives you the perfect shot at spotting them and learning more about their behavior.

In the Pacific Northwest, hotspots include the San Juan Islands and Washington's Puget Sound. If you're heading to Alaska, go over to Kenai Fjords or the Prince William Sound for the highest chance of witnessing these majestic creatures.

Both transient and resident orcas are spotted in Alaska's cold, coastal waters. Resident orcas stick around while transient orcas keep it moving. These waters are rich with salmon, particularly Chinook salmon. Transient orcas tend to snack more on seals, and each type has its own set of unique behaviors.

Killer whales live in pods, sometimes as few as five of them swim together, but their pods can grow in numbers up to 30. The Center for Whale Research confirms that some pods stick together for entire decades, bonding for their entire lives. Together, they're more capable as they rear their young, navigate the open ocean, and hunt for food.

Interestingly, orcas use different dialects along with echolocation clicks to communicate with one another. They also use their echolocation to hunt. Each pod has its own language, so to speak, made up of a specific set of calls. This helps members coordinate movements and with echolocation, they can visualize their prey and hunt with uncanny precision.

Both transient and resident orcas demonstrate seasonal migration patterns. If you follow the salmon, you can find the orcas. Transient orcas don't have as predictable a pattern as resident orcas, but they still follow some general trends based on the availability of food sources.

It's Chinook salmon! This is a dietary staple for resident orcas. They offer plenty of fat, which provides them with the energy they need. If salmon numbers drop, orcas are detrimentally affected.

They have to be nutrient, rich, of course. And cold. This is why they are found in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Warmer waters simply don't contain what orcas need to thrive.

Noise from vessel traffic hurt orcas because it disrupts the echolocation they rely on. This means they struggle to communicate with one another and coordinate successfully for hunting.

Orcas' fat stores start to accumulate toxins, especially if they're in waters where urban runoff and pollution are most present. This, in turn, weakens their immune systems and affects their ability to reproduce healthily.

Unfortunately, Southern Resident orcas are endangered, as confirmed by the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) along with the Center for Whale Research handle conservation efforts.

They designate certain environments as critical habitats so orcas can remain undisturbed. Awarness and compliance continue to improve as awareness spreads among human populations.

They don't find the prey they need to sustain life in warmer waters. Not only that, but there is an entirely different predator-prey dynamic in warmer waters.

Millions travel to both the Pacific Northwest and Alaska to whale watch, but is this helping or hurting? So long as the tourism is responsible, it helps to fund research. Those who operate these tours are asked to follow ethical viewing practices to protect these mesmerizing creatures.

Orcas are apex predators, which means they regulate marine food chains. So long as they're present, the ecosystems they make part of thrive. By protecting them, we ensure their future generations. Plus, we ensure our future generations can witness their magnificence.