A killer whale sighting near North Carolina’s Kitty Hawk has sparked renewed interest from marine scientists. It marks the first confirmed orca sighting near North Carolina in nearly five years.
Researchers say orca sightings along the Southeast coast are extremely rare, with only 24 recorded between 1990 and 2025. Most occurred in winter and spring, primarily off North Carolina and Florida.
The recent sighting adds a rare data point as scientists work to understand orca behavior, migration, and feeding habits in the region.
This is the search track when the Cessna 337 (N9134Q) found the Orca Whale off the coast of Kitty Hawk,NC on March 13, 2025
https://t.co/ZS7HbTXwk4
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Killer whale spotted off the coast of the Outer Bankshttps://t.co/58Sz5Aq3AO pic.twitter.com/05x17lbqiI— NC Airspace (@NCAirspace) March 24, 2025
Unlike orcas in other areas, those off the Southeast prefer deep waters and appear to feed mainly on tuna.
Experts stress the need for more monitoring and long-term research to better understand this elusive species in North Carolina waters.
