An orca surfaces in Lynn Canal near the Chilkat Mountains, Alaska

Voices of the pod. An orca near the Chilkat Mountains, Lynn Canal, Alaska

An orca breaks the surface of Lynn Canal against the backdrop of the snow-capped Chilkat Mountains in Southeast Alaska. Also known as the killer whale, the orca is the largest member of the dolphin family and one of the ocean's most recognizable predators. The cold, nutrient-rich waters of Alaska's Inside Passage provide abundant feeding grounds, sustaining salmon runs and a rich variety of marine life that supports these remarkable animals.

Scientists recognize several distinct orca populations, each with its own diet, hunting strategies, and social traditions. Some specialize in catching fish, while others prey on seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals. Living in tightly bonded family groups led by experienced older females, orcas communicate through distinctive calls unique to each pod—vocal traditions passed down through generations. Lynn Canal and its surrounding waterways offer a vital habitat for these highly intelligent marine mammals and a dramatic setting for observing them in the wild.