A killer whale may have been spotted off Yorkshire's coast for the first time ever as marine experts confirm photographs show a "probable orca".

The images were snapped at Saltburn-by-the-Sea on Wednesday, at 2pm, by a photographer walking the clifftop.

He had been watching a pod of bottlenose dolphins and, catching sight of the distinctive black and white, quickly reached for his phone camera.

Now marine wildlife experts with the Sea Watch Foundation are reviewing the photographic evidence but say it is a "probably orca".

Potential killer whale spotted from Saltburn-on-the-Sea, Yorkshire. Photo taken by Paul C. Before zooming in, it can be seen as a black dot in the upper left corner, in line with the pier.

placeholder image — Potential killer whale spotted from Saltburn-on-the-Sea, Yorkshire. Photo taken by Paul C. Before zooming in, it can be seen as a black dot in the upper left corner, in line with the pier.

And while this is a first known sighting for Yorkshire, and rare even for the east coast, experts say this may be changing.

According to the Sea Watch Foundation database, there were confirmed sightings at the Farne Islands recently and another spotted 30 miles offshore of Hornsea in May.

Jim Hartnett, lead volunteer of the Cetacean Recording Group for Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, was among the first to review the images provided by photographer Paul C.

"It was a brilliant day all round with so many people enjoying the sea and the local area," he said. "The joy of everyone watching the bottlenose dolphins was a delight.

A close up of the suspected killer whale spotted from Saltburn-on-the-Sea, Yorkshire. Photo taken by Paul C

"This potential orca sighting is so exciting, and people love the idea of having these magnificent cetaceans around this stretch of the UK coast!"

Marine experts say the pictures show markings which are characteristic of an orca, including black-and-white colouration, its iconic white eye-patch and a white chinstrap.

The Sea Watch Foundation is now urgently appealing to local beachgoers, photographers, and boat operators for any additional supporting images or video footage.

Paul C, photographer, explained how he had been walking the cliff top in Saltburn when he spotted a large pod of dolphins.

Killer whale pictured in May 2026 off Longstone Lighthouse in the Farne Islands. Photo taken by Kirstie Macmillan

"I then saw a large animal swimming close to the shore, so I grabbed my phone and watched as it surfaced before disappearing," he said.

"The bottlenose dolphins had scattered and after sharing images it was suspected that it could have been an orca! It was such a magical and completely unexpected sighting."

Marine experts say it comes as a reminder of the importance of protecting the marine environment.

The Sea Watch Foundation's annual National Whale and Dolphin Watch is underway, over nine-days, with people filing reports of marine life to capture a snapshot picture nationwide.

Now, anyone with footage of the suspected orca is asked to submit it urgently via [email protected] to aid in verification.

Other marine sightings can be reported via the foundation's Sea Watcher App.

Paul C, photographer, has said this was a moment that will stay with him forever.

"Despite having travelled the world - from Scotland and New Zealand to South Africa and the Galapagos - specifically to spot marine life, I felt so honoured and privileged to witness such an elusive creature along the wonderful northeast coastline," he said.