Rare Pod Of Killer Whales Spotted Off Orange County Coast

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — A thrilling encounter with one of the ocean's top predators was caught on camera Monday.

Travelers aboard Newport Coastal Adventure were treated to a spectacular sight this week: a rare pod of orcas, also known as killer whales, spotted off the Newport Coast.

Jessica Roame of Newport Landing & Davey's Locker Whale Watching said that once they heard about the pod — which was initially spotted in Santa Monica — a boat with passengers was sent out in the hopes for a chance to see the orcas.

"Twenty passengers signed up, and we rushed to [the pod's] last known location, focused in our binoculars for the spouts of killer whales," Roame said. "As the crew scanned for signs of the killer whales, they heard loud screams from the passengers- the whales had popped up only a quarter mile in front of our bow. We got extremely lucky, and were able to re-locate a pod of 7 Orcas."

"The boats and their lucky whale watching passengers watch in awe over the next two and-a-half-hours as the killer whales traveled up the coastline until the sun set," She continued. "They even made a few close passes under our boat."