“We went back in after they’d passed, and then another couple of orcas were out there,” Morris said.
“That got the adrenaline going because their fins seemed smaller, and we didn’t know if they might be sharks.
“So, we surfed in. A lady on the beach reckoned that they were orca and surfing in alongside us.”
He said once they got into shore, the two orca surfing with them had taken off.
“And then, surprisingly another two orca came in. We were still in the water, and two of them came up pretty close. Then they turned around and took off on their merry way.
“I stayed out of the water after that, but Josh went back in for a dip.”
Morris said he’s encountered orcas once before at Ōhope.
“But they were a bit further out.”
He said the pod of orcas were heading towards Mount Maunganui.
“Quite a few people came out with their cameras to get a few shots.”
He is still marvelling at the morning’s encounter.
“I couldn’t believe it, it was crazy.”
Orcas, also known as killer whales, typically come into Tauranga Harbour to feed, particularly on stingrays.
Interacting with orcas
The Department of Conservation has advice on how people should interact with them if they come into contact:
- Vessels should not be within 50m of a killer whale. No more than three vessels should be within 300m of any marine mammal.
- Vessels should approach orcas from behind and to the side, do not circle them, obstruct their path or cut through any group.
- Operate boats slowly and quietly at no-wake speed when within 300m of an orca to avoid sudden noises that could startle the animals.
- Sightings of orcas can be reported to 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 department’s knowledge of cetacean distribution and movements around New Zealand.
