Encountering Orcas Face to Face
Riding High with the Killer Whales of Galapagos
Every journey with Bluewater Photo Workshops is an adventure, but the recent trip to the Galapagos took things to a whole new level. Our mixed group of 15 divers from Taiwan, England, New Zealand, Ukraine, Germany, and the US were in for a treat that would bond us forever. On our third morning at Darwin's Arch, we woke up to the jaw-dropping sight of the sun rising over the towering cliffs, little did we know the real spectacle was yet to come.
Darwin Island, alongside Wolf Island, are the main attractions of this 10-day diving and land tour through the Galapagos archipelago organized by Bluewater Photo. It was a dream trip for all of us, a chance to dive into the crystal clear waters surrounding this Ecuadorian treasure and UNESCO World Heritage site.
A Rare Encounter
As we sipped our morning coffee and readied our cameras for the 6:30 AM dive briefing, we heard a blood-curdling scream of "ORCAS!" We all rushed to the bow of the Galapagos Master with cameras in hand, and there they were - the mighty killers of the ocean. At first, we spotted one, then two, then five fins surfacing. It was a transient pod of orcas!
They swam around our boat and headed towards the arch. Before we knew it, the crew readied two pangas, and we raced towards them in hopes of catching some better photo opportunities. But just as we set sail, the orcas disappeared. We were left wondering if we had just missed out on an incredible encounter, but our excitement was short-lived.
A Second Chance
The orcas put in another brief appearance, escorting us to our dive site, but soon they vanished once more. After diving in the strong current at Darwin's Arch with a multitude of schooling fish and only a few hammerhead sharks, we returned to the boat to have breakfast and relax during a short surface interval.
Suddenly, another cry of "ORCAS" echoed through the boat, and we all scrambled back to the pangas with cameras at the ready. Over the next few minutes, we watched and snapped photos of the pod from the pangas. Then, the largest male surfaced with what appeared to be a large sea turtle in his mouth. As he thrashed about, we wondered whether it was a play toy or his next meal. After observing an oily slick near where the orca had surfaced, we made a guess - it seemed to be a meal, rather than a play thing.
A Game of Cat and Mouse
The orcas drew closer to our boats, a playful dance that had us all on the edge of our seats. It seemed as though they were engaging in some sort of social activity. We spent several minutes photographing them as they surfaced a few feet from the boat and jumped out of the water. Two magnificent tail slaps sent a roar of excitement through the boat as we dived back into the water to join the action.
With a mixture of fear and excitement, I slipped into the water to capture the orcas up close. The pod of five orcas was a short distance ahead, slowly approaching my position. I took a test shot, made a few minor camera adjustments, and then I looked up. The large male was quickly closing in on me, perhaps to protect the other females and calf from this strange creature, or so I assumed.
He came within eight to ten feet of me, and I felt a rush of adrenaline as I swam alongside him. After a short while, he turned away to rejoin his pod, leaving me to catch my breath and marvel at the encounter. The others joined me shortly after, and for the next 40 minutes, we enjoyed a rare and incredible interaction with the ocean's most powerful predator.
Reflections on a Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
After our orca encounter, we were all transformed into giddy school children, talking non-stop about our experiences and the incredible fortune we'd shared. We knew we had come to the Galapagos to see the raw beauty of nature, but none of us expected an experience of a lifetime. For the next several nights, the workshop photo reviews were filled with orca pictures and videos, and some people became emotional as they reflected on what it meant to them.
For me, it was a new high point in my aquatic life, a chance to share an extraordinary encounter with fifteen people from different walks of life who now share an everlasting bond. Albert, a Taiwanese diver with 22 years of diving under his belt, approached me and confided, "It is the first time I have spotted wild orcas. If you didn't jump into the water, I would not have done so myself alone. Thank you, so much. Great to share this experience with you."
Learn More About Ron's Camera Gear
Read the full feature Inside the Camera Bag with Ron Watkins to learn more about his underwater camera gear.
Swim with Wild Orcas
Want to create your own unforgettable orca encounter? Join an orca expedition in Norway to enjoy the thrill of observing orcas in their natural habitat.
Join Bluewater Photo for more Big Animal Encounters & Workshops
Our trips, whether an expedition or photo workshop, are hosted by underwater photo experts and offer personalized photo instruction to make sure you come home with great shots.
Ron Watkins – Photo Pro, Photographer of Orcas
- Our trip with Bluewater Photo Workshops to the Galapagos was an adventure that pushed the boundaries, especially with the unexpected encounter of a transient pod of orcas.
- Huddled in the pangas, cameras at the ready, we watched the orcas dance around our boat before disappearing, leaving us wondering if we'd missed out on an amazing encounter.
- But the orcas returned, escorting us to our dive site and then disappearing once more, only to reappear later, displaying a social activity that made us sailors on the edge of our seats.
- I dared to join them in the water, capturing close-up shots of the powerful predator as it swam within feet of me, a brush with danger that was equally thrilling and intimidating.
- Each member of our diverse team was transformed by the encounter, bonding over our shared experiences and the raw beauty of nature that we'd witnessed together.
- With photo reviews filled with orca pictures and videos, some went emotional in reflecting on the experience, finding it deeply meaningful to their personal aquatic life.
- If you're yearning for a similar encounter with these magnificent creatures, consider joining a orca expedition in Norway to witness them in their natural habitat.
- Bluewater Photo offers more Big Animal Encounters & Workshops, providing personalized photo instruction and hosting trips with underwater photo experts, ensuring you come home with lasting memories and captivating shots of the ocean's wonders.
