"A family-run whale-watch operator that takes guests to a spot called the Patch about 19 nautical miles offshore, where a resident population of coastal orcas surfaces daily between January and March. The guide, Gemma Sharp, narrates with a hushed, taut style, knows individuals by name (the pod is led by matriarch Queenie), and recalled dramatic encounters — including the time multiple orca families joined forces to kill a blue whale — warning that "Hunts are exciting," and adding later, "Every day is a bit of a storyline." - Kevin West Kevin West Kevin West is a writer, food consultant, and “canning evangelist” (according to NPR). He’s the author of the cookbook “Saving the Season,” and his work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Martha Stewart Living, Condé Nast Traveler, Bon Appétit, and Food & Wine. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines