A fishing trip with some mates near Whangamatā turned into a trip of a lifetime for a Tauranga resident who encountered a pod of orca.

Greg Murphy and three mates were stunned when a pod of orca appeared out of nowhere just 400m off Slipper Island, Whangamatā, on July 5.

Murphy, on a jetski beside his mates’ boat, said the glassy sea suddenly filled with fins gliding toward them from the Alderman Islands.

Within minutes, five orcas surrounded them, curiously circling the jet ski and boat for about half an hour.

The pod included a large male with a distinctive kinked dorsal fin, a female, a juvenile and a few active teenage whales.

One of the juvenile orca, just metres from Murphy's jetski. Photo / Greg Murphy

Murphy said the male mostly kept his distance while the younger orcas were inquisitive and playful.

“They would come and go, swim around the back of the ski, roll to the side to have a look, then move on before coming back again.”

“One of the juveniles and another orca just came firing in from under the boat, which was pretty incredible to see.”

He said it was the first time he’d seen orcas while on a jetski.

“I’ve seen them twice before from a boat, but they never came very close. This time, they were right there with us – it was unreal.”

A pod of orca glided past a group of fishermen 400m off Slipper Island near Whangamatā on July 5. Photo / Greg Murphy

The experience was both exciting and humbling for Murphy, who felt “very small” on the jet ski amidst the giants.

“It was incredible to have them so close. They were just hanging around, and we eventually left them to carry on about their day.”

Interacting with orcas

The Department of Conservation offered important advice on how to interact with orcas if people come into contact with them.

Vessels should not be within 50m of an orca. No more than three vessels should be within 300m of any marine mammal.

Your vessel should approach orcas from behind and to the side; do not circle them, obstruct their path or cut through any group.

Operate your boat slowly and quietly at “no wake” speed when within 300m of an orca, and avoid sudden noises that could startle the animals.

If approached by orca, anyone in a vessel should stop and turn engines off and just enjoy the encounter until the animals are ready to move on – and don’t chase after them.

Sightings of orcas can be reported to the DoC by calling 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) or by filling out an online form.

Sightings are always of interest and help increase the DoC’s knowledge of cetacean distribution and movements around New Zealand.