ORCAS (aka Killer whales)

Orcas are the largest member of the dolphin family, yet they are commonly referred to as killer whales. Why? According to Whale and Dolphin Conservation “Orcas were given the name killer whale by ancient sailors’ observations of groups of orcas hunting and preying on larger whale species. They called orcas ballena asesina, or killer whale.”

New Zealand is home to an estimated 150–200 individual orca. And although they travel long distances throughout New Zealand’s coastal waters, they can be regularly spotted in the Bay of Plenty in June, and again from October to December. When visiting the Bay, they can often be found in Tauranga Harbour hunting for stingrays. Or, if you’re incredibly lucky, you may get to spot an orca surfing a wave at Mount Maunganui.