One of the most awesome experiences was being able to see an Orca in person closeup. It was truly humbling to realize that in all the vastness and diversity of the ocean, this was the apex predator!
Got to see my first whale earlier this year (Gray Whale) and on the way home I kept tying to hype my SO up on the fact that it's a privilege to be alive on this planet at the same time as the largest animals ever (the whales specifically the Blue). Hoping to see some Orcas later this year on a PNW trip.
I did so on a trip to Orcas Island WA this summer! Our boat travelled farther north than Victoria BC (no border at sea) to find them, then we tailed them back south. The pod located some porpoise and hunted them with encirclement and charges. The mom was training her baby and they rammed the prey so hard it flew at least 20 feet in the air. Probably broke all the bones in its body.
We sometimes have pods of orcas hunting stingrays around here. In their urgency to get away, the rays will sometimes hurl themselves up out of the water and onto the rocks. Apparently (though I've never seen it) the orcas will sometimes chase them up onto the rocks.