Killer whales seen prowling for meal off CA coast, leaving boaters ‘thrilled’

A group of orcas was spotted off the coast of California, leaving boaters “thrilled,” passengers said.

On Aug. 26, eight to 10 killer whales were spotted hunting for “their next meal,” according to a Facebook post by the Monterey Bay Whale Watch.

Although boaters weren’t able to identify all the whales, so far they were able to determine they saw Hopper’s pod of CA39As, CA49B nicknamed Richie, CA163 nicknamed Liner, CA180 and CA175A, passengers said.

Killer whales are known to be the ocean’s top predator, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The highly social animal usually travels in pods of a few individuals to 20 or more, NOAA said.

The orcas were surfacing from “incredibly calm” waters, making for an “amazing encounter,” boaters said.

Throughout the day, groups saw up to 10 orcas and 18 humpback whales on each tour, Monterey Bay Whale Watch said.

This story was originally published August 27, 2025 at 2:07 PM with the headline "Killer whales seen prowling for meal off CA coast, leaving boaters ‘thrilled’."