Orca

Photo: Stas Zakharov · © all rights reserved

Norwegian orcas are among the most studied populations in the world, following the herring migration into Vestfjorden each November through January to feed cooperatively using carousel feeding — a technique where individuals take turns slapping the bait ball with their tail flukes to stun fish before picking them off one by one. Pods visiting Lofoten frequently number 20 to 80 individuals and have become habituated to respectful snorkellers and divers over many seasons of responsible encounter operations. Mature bulls trailing enormous dorsal fins up to 2 metres tall are a defining image of Lofoten winter diving.