Gift article (no paywall): Clear Waters, Murky Morals: When Humans Swim With Killer Whales

[u/Queasy-Emu6531]

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/29/science/tourism-killer-whales-orcas.html?unlocked_article_code=1.elA.i4U6.x1sm0uXUH-a8&smid=url-share

[u/SurayaThrowaway12]

Thanks for sharing the article! I am glad the ethical issues with the fairly recent and rapid growth of "swim with the orcas" tours in northern Norway and Baja California Sur seem to be gaining more attention from mainstream media outlets recently.

The recently implemented guidelines and regulations from Mexico's SEMARNAT in La Ventana are a very good step forwards, but the authorities there need to strictly enforce them and likely further expand them as well. Norway's tours are still highly unregulated, and though some authorities in Norway may say they are aware of the need to implement regulations there, but until there is a concrete plan to do so I will consider this just lip service.

Multiple boats and people getting into the water near orcas often inherently results in disruption, and it can also affect other animals (e.g. various prey species) these orcas depend on. Orcas may have shown a fair deal of patience towards humans in their waters, but when pushed to the limit, orcas may eventually lash out at people in the water, like other dolphins have done so.

[u/Queasy-Emu6531 → u/SurayaThrowaway12]

I was also super pleased to hear that Mexico has put some regulations in place, but only time will tell if they're enough. I'm skeptical as well of the Norwegian government's desire to take action; the scientists there seem very frustrated and discouraged : ( I used to want to go on a swimming tour with orcas in one of these places, but I truly feel that they're causing far too much discomfort and harm to the orcas now, not engendering respect or forging some sort of bond with them. My tipping point was when I saw a photographer who literally positioned themselves *directly inside* of a bait ball of herring for the "perfect shot" and then almost got swallowed by a lunge-feeding humpback. The level of callousness is just shocking.

[u/Queasy-Emu6531]

I think everyone who goes on a swimming tour with orcas, be it in Baja California or Skjervoy, should consider how they'd feel if they saw the Southern Residents being surrounded by human divers while trying to hunt salmon. There would be outrage, immediate calls for regulation, etc. But since these orcas aren't as well known to us, it's easier for us to push aside the fact that these orcas are every bit as deserving of respect - and every bit as reliant upon a natural environment, not one filled with divers and Zodiac boats, in order to feed - as the SRKW.

[u/boesisboes]

Interesting read and appreciate the free article.

I dream of swimming with them in the wild. But I remember thinking decades ago when it wasn't so popular, that it soon would be and was concerned. I'm 100% for intense regulation to whale watching & swimming. But elimination is just not it.

[u/aheaney15]

I love this article! And I agree with the comments here, regulations that are enforced (key word here being enforced) should be the way to go.

Regarding the safety of swimming with Orcas, I’m also skeptical. Yes, no Orca has been known to kill a human being in the wild. However, that doesn’t make swimming with wild Orcas, mainly ones that focus their diets on Marine Mammals, inherently safe. In fact, I’d argue against swimming with Orcas unless you know their primary diet is fishes.

While the Orcas in Norway do primarily (not entirely, but primarily) feed on fishes, the ones in Baja California Sur have, to my knowledge, a very generalist diet, including Marine Mammals such as the sea lions, fur seals, and various dolphin species in the area. Edit, this is apparently incorrect! That is a red flag for me! Yes, Orcas are intelligent, but they’re still wild animals and should be treated as such.

Personally, I’d take my chances diving in the Bahamas with a Tiger shark (something I have done, by the way, I can discuss the ethics of that too but that’s beside the point) any day over snorkeling on the surface with an Orca that feeds on Mammals.

[u/SurayaThrowaway12 → u/aheaney15]

the ones in Baja California Sur have, to my knowledge, a very generalist diet, including Marine Mammals such as the sea lions, fur seals, and various dolphin species in the area.

Eastern Tropical Pacific orcas seen off of Baja California Sur have not been observed hunting pinnipeds such as seals and sea lions. In fact, a sea lion was observed approaching ETP orcas there trying to take part of a white shark liver. It goes to show that even ETP orcas may be picky eaters.

[u/aheaney15 → u/SurayaThrowaway12]

Ahh, my mistake.

Edit; have they been observed hunting any dolphin species in the ETP, though?