As ORCA celebrates 25 years of protecting whales, dolphins and porpoises, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on one of our longest and most valued collaborations, our partnership with Saga.
For nearly two decades, Saga has welcomed ORCA’s Marine Mammal Surveyors on board their ships, giving us a unique platform to collect vital data in some of the world’s most remote and poorly understood ocean areas. Together, we’ve created unforgettable wildlife experiences for guests while advancing the science that underpins marine conservation.
Impact at sea: 2025 in numbers
In 2025, ORCA teams joined 13 Saga itineraries, spending 232 nights at sea aboard Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure. Across voyages to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Norway, Iceland, the Canaries and around the UK, our Surveyors recorded:
- 24,608 km of survey effort
- 1,028 sightings
- 4,929 individual animals
- 27 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises
Much of this work took place in offshore, data‑deficient areas, places where ORCA’s presence is essential for building long‑term understanding of cetacean populations.
Highlights from the year included:
- False killer whales bow‑riding off southwest Portugal
- Rough‑toothed dolphins southwest of the Azores
- A 20‑strong pod of pilot whales on the Natural Wonders of Iceland cruise
Seven of these surveys included ORCA’s gold‑standard distance sampling from the bridge, enabling us to report on population abundance, density and trends, evidence that directly informs marine policy.
A partnership built on shared purpose
Saga guests and crew have become part of ORCA’s story… joining wildlife watches, attending talks and workshops, and helping us turn sightings into science. Their enthusiasm and curiosity help bring our mission to life on every voyage.
As we celebrate ORCA@25, we’re also looking ahead to a milestone in our partnership: nearly 20 years of working together in 2027.
For 25 years, ORCA has advanced ocean conservation, and as a partner of nearly two decades, we are proud to have supported that mission at sea. As we approach 20 years of partnership in 2027, we look forward to continuing our collaboration and driving meaningful impact together for years to come.
Faye Dasi‑Sutton ESG & Sustainability Manager at Saga
A huge thank‑you to Saga, every incredible citizen scientist on board, and to every guest who has shared a moment of wildlife magic on deck.
To mark our anniversary, we’re offering free access throughout June to our ORCA Citizen Scientist Course Bundle. This course is beginner friendly and will teach you the skills to protect whales and dolphins.