Orca

Photo: mickeydylan · CC BY-NC

Both the Southern Resident killer whale population and transient Bigg's killer whales pass through Race Rocks regularly, drawn by the abundant harbour seal and Steller sea lion prey hauled out on the rocks. Encounters during surface intervals or from the boat are common from late spring through autumn, and occasional sightings of orcas investigating divers in the water have been reported by local operators. The proximity of Race Rocks to Victoria has made it a vital monitoring site for the endangered Southern Resident population.