Divers in the Coromandel Peninsula experienced a "pretty special" moment today when they were able to swim with a pod of playful orca whales.
Geremy 'Mish' Foxley, a diver with over 20 years experience, was on a charter trip with dive company Spearo Camp spearfishing charters in Whitianga when underwater interaction took place.
Mr Foxley said the group were returning from a dive where they had been spear fishing for kingfish when they happened upon a pod of five orca in north Opito Bay on the way back around 3:30pm this afternoon.
"No one was afraid, it was one of the most special moments and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have swum with them," Mr Foxley told 1 NEWS.
Mr Foxley says he came within a metre of the graceful whales and there was another boat nearby all excited to enjoy the experience.
After an encounter last year saw a Hahei woman surround by orca, expert Dr Regina Eisert told 1 NEWS the swimmer was never in danger.
Judie Johnson has described the experience as a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
"Killer whales are the largest of the dolphin family so they are just big dolphins with a fancy paint job and we all know dolphins are very, very smart and very playful," she said.
However, conservationists do warn swimmers should not approach marine mammals.
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