There are numerous surface behaviour that orca and other marine mammals display on a continuous basis. Each one of these behaviours no doubt have their special meaning and suggest the animal is feeling a certain way. Whether it is frustration, curiosity, playfulness or just simply annoyed. To make a long story short - it is always some form of communication and typically communicating between themselves. what exactly they are trying to say is very debatable amongst researchers and guides.
Orca tail slapping is one of those behaviours (pictured below). I have discussed this behaviour with some of my Norwegian colleagues whom believe that when a male orca constantly displays this behaviour over a very short period of time it is suggesting that he is annoyed and you are in his personal space. So, back off is the key thing to do when that behaviour is observed.
Personally, I find it fun to sit and observe these animals in their natural habitat and try to work out how they are feeling and what they are doing based on their surface behaviour. Not sure if I will ever get amazing at it - Predicting a wild animals behaviour isn't always an easy thing to do BUT I am going to keep having a go regardless.
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