Ocean’s top predator and baby spotted in search of their next meal off CA coast

The ocean’s top predator was seen on the hunt for its next meal off the coast of California, boaters said.

Passengers aboard Monterey Bay Whale Watch’s boat on Oct. 7 got the chance to see a killer whale pod known as CA51A, according to a Facebook post by the whale-watching company.

At first, the group saw four orcas on the hunt while they “zigzagged” through the area, the company said.

Later, mama orca Andi (CA51A2) and her 2-year-old daughter, Astrid (CA51A2A), were seen together, the company said.

Andi and Astrid belong to Andi’s mother’s pod, but the younger whale is soon entering the age when she will create her own pod separate from her mother’s, the company said.

Killer whales are known to be “the ocean’s top predator,” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The highly social animal usually travels in pods of a few individuals to 20 or more, NOAA said.

Boaters also got the chance to see humpback whales and “active” Risso’s dolphins, Monterey Bay Whale Watch said.

Facebook users shared their thoughts on the photos, with one person saying, “Awesome!”

“I absolutely love these pictures,” another wrote.

Monterey Bay is about a 120-mile drive southeast from San Francisco.

This story was originally published October 8, 2025 at 2:57 PM with the headline "Ocean’s top predator and baby spotted in search of their next meal off CA coast."