{"id":823596,"date":"2026-08-23T22:52:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T22:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/823596\/"},"modified":"2026-08-23T22:52:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T22:52:17","slug":"the-salish-sea-is-the-place-to-be-for-orcas-this-summer-whats-behind-this-trend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/823596\/","title":{"rendered":"The Salish Sea is the place to be for orcas this summer. What\u2019s behind this trend?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Move over, Jimothy<\/a>. The Seattle area is in the midst of a hot orca summer.<\/p>\n

The Orca Behavior Institute recorded a record-breaking number<\/a> of Bigg\u2019s killer whale sightings in the Salish Sea in July.<\/p>\n

\"FILE<\/p>\n

FILE \u2014\u00a0Orca whales in the T49A pod, including T49A7 “Nimbus,” right, born in 2026, surface on the Salish Sea, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, near Waldron Island, Wash.<\/p>\n

Lindsey Wasson \/ AP<\/p>\n

Plus, animal lovers have been buzzing about several recent sightings of these iconic Pacific Northwest creatures. Last weekend, a group of seven Bigg\u2019s killer whales, mostly from the T36 pod, breached<\/a> right off the shore of Bella Bella Beach in Gig Harbor. Days earlier, Bigg\u2019s killer whales made a very special visit<\/a> right into Shilshole Bay near the Ballard Locks. Officials said it was the first time in recent memory that orcas came so close to the spillway dam.<\/p>\n

So, what\u2019s behind this trend? Deborah Giles, a killer whale scientist with the SeaDoc Society<\/a>, said a couple of factors are probably at play.<\/p>\n

For one, Bigg\u2019s killer whales are just hanging out in the region more than they used to. But also, Giles thinks onlookers have perhaps been more prepared this summer \u2014 with cameras to document these sightings, and knowledge about these mammal-eating killer whales formerly called transient killer whales.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do think there\u2019s an aspect of observer awareness,\u201d Giles said. \u201cThere is no denying at all that this type of killer whale has become more abundant in the inland waters of the Salish Sea in the last 20 years or so.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a pretty marked shift from 2005, when Giles first started studying killer whales in the region. Back then, southern resident orcas were on the endangered species list.<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember really distinctly, we all kind of abandoned southern resident whales to go look at some Bigg\u2019s killer whales that were spotted in the region,\u201d Giles recalled. \u201cThey were that rare.\u201c<\/p>\n

Now, Giles said Bigg\u2019s killer whales and southern residents have \u201cabsolutely changed places as far as habitat use of inland waters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the long-term studies had started now, we would absolutely be calling the so-called \u2018transients,\u2019 or Bigg\u2019s killer whale, \u2018the residents,\u2019 because they are seen here so much more,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"Southern<\/p>\n

Southern Resident orcas are visible from aboard the FRS Clipper Wildlife & Whale Watching Tour departing from downtown Seattle on June 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

Juan Pablo Chiquiza \/ KUOW<\/p>\n

For example, Giles said southern resident orcas used to be seen almost every day \u2014 and sometimes all three pods made appearances, especially in July.<\/p>\n

But this July, there were no recorded southern resident sightings in the inland waters. Bigg\u2019s killer whales, meanwhile, have been spotted every day so far this year.<\/p>\n

Giles said that\u2019s happening because of the abundance of prey for Bigg\u2019s killer whales \u2014 pinnipeds such as seals and sea lions.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery day, there\u2019s prey here, whereas with the southern residents, their prey is patchy,\u201d Giles explained. \u201cIt comes through in bursts, depending on where the salmon is heading.\u201d<\/p>\n

How to get in on the killer whale action<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019ve lived in the Pacific Northwest a year or your entire life, seeing an orca for yourself is probably on your bucket list. Giles had a few tips for making that dream come true.<\/p>\n

First, she recommended joining several social media groups, including The Orca Network<\/a>, as well as the Puget Sound<\/a> and San Juan Island<\/a> whale sighting Facebook groups. Giles also advised stationing yourself at or near the Edmonds Marina, an area that is \u201chighly utilized\u201d by southern residents in the fall and perfect for shore whale watching.<\/p>\n

Natalie Akane Newcomb, Paige Browning and Sami West are reporters with KUOW. This story<\/a> comes to you from the Northwest News Network, a collaboration between public media organizations in Oregon and Washington.<\/p>\n

It is part of OPB\u2019s broader effort to ensure that everyone in our region has access to quality journalism that informs, entertains and enriches their lives. To learn more, visit our journalism partnerships page<\/a>.<\/p>\n