A rare sighting of orcas has been captured off the waters between Lombok and Bali, Indonesia. The video, uploaded by Instagram user @delluuyee on 1 October 2025, shows three large orcas gracefully surfacing near a tour boat in the Lombok Strait.
The appearance of orcas, or Orcinus orca, in these waters is considered unusual.
While Indonesia’s marine territory hosts a rich diversity of cetaceans, orcas are rarely observed near popular tourist routes such as those between Lombok and Bali.
Lihat postingan ini di Instagram
The video quickly gained attention on social media, with many viewers expressing awe at the sight of these highly intelligent predators so close to shore.
According to witnesses on the boat, the orcas appeared calm, swimming parallel to the vessel for several minutes before diving back into deeper waters.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” one tourist commented in the video’s thread.
“Everyone on board fell silent; it was just pure wonder watching them glide through the sea.”
Marine biologists note that orcas occasionally migrate through Indonesian waters as part of their broader range across the Indo-Pacific.
The Lombok Strait, known for its deep channels and nutrient-rich currents, provides a suitable habitat for large marine mammals, including dolphins and occasionally orcas.
The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (BRIN) has previously recorded sporadic orca sightings in the region, particularly during transitional monsoon periods when water temperatures and prey distribution change.
Tour operators have been urged to maintain a safe distance from the animals, follow responsible whale-watching guidelines, and avoid chasing or crowding them.
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries continues to monitor marine biodiversity through regional observation programmes, encouraging the public to report unusual sightings.
As Indonesia continues to develop its marine ecotourism industry, the brief encounter with these majestic orcas serves as a reminder of the country’s extraordinary ocean life and the need to protect it.
Revisiting Rare Sightings of Orca Across Indonesia
This is not the first time orcas have been spotted in Indonesia. Historical reports highlight several sightings across the archipelago.
According to Kompas.com, orcas also known as killer whales (Orcinus orca), have occasionally appeared in various parts of the country, though such encounters remain infrequent.
Pantai Basring, Banyuwangi (April 2021)
One of the most well-documented cases occurred off Pantai Basring, Banyuwangi, East Java. A 6.1-metre-long orca weighing around 10 to 15 tonnes was first seen swimming in the shallow waters of the Bali Strait on 2 April 2021.
Local fishermen attempted to guide it back to deeper seas, but the next morning, the orca was found dead on the beach. The incident raised awareness about marine mammal strandings along the East Java coast.
Pantai Inobonto, North Sulawesi (June 2020)
In another case, residents of Inobonto Beach, Bolaang Mongondow Regency, North Sulawesi, discovered a baby orca less than three metres long on 24 June 2020. Locals were fascinated by the rare encounter and reportedly touched and held the young whale before authorities intervened.
The event underscored the need for better public understanding of how to handle marine wildlife.
Anambas Waters, Riau Islands (March 2020)
Kompas also reported a sighting on 30 March 2020 near the Anambas Islands Marine Tourism Park (TWP) in the Riau Islands Province. Fisherman Aldi Pratama recorded seven orcas swimming near his boat around midday.
The video quickly went viral, prompting verification by Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP). After confirming the footage, the agency praised local residents for documenting the species responsibly.
