Orca

Avg. speed

4 kn

Orcas are apex predators that hunt fish, seals and even other whales, coordinating in tight matrilineal family pods led by older females. Since 2020 there have been many documented interactions in the Strait of Gibraltar and around the Iberian Peninsula in which orcas target sailboat rudders, sometimes disabling or even sinking vessels. If you sight orcas in these waters, report it immediately and follow the official GTOA guidelines for the area. Despite the headlines they are not naturally aggressive toward humans, and their highly distinct regional dialects show that orca culture is passed down through generations.