Onlookers 'in awe' after orca pod leap out of water metres away from the beach

This is the incredible moment a pod of orcas leap out of water just metres from a beach - leaving onlookers ‘in awe’.

Alyssa Slovinac was visiting Golden Gardens Beach near Seattle, Washington, on February 24 when she was treated to an astonishing sight close to the shore.

Electric footage shows one of the whales breach clear out of the surface of the bay while another appears to wave with its massive fin.

While the rest of the six whales happily swim past, one jumps from the water, twisting in midair before landing again.

Alyssa said: “I’m a bit of an orca enthusiast so I’ve seen this type of behaviour before, but this was the first time in my seven years in Seattle that I’ve seen them this close to shore.

“The environment on the beach was electric as everyone was so thrilled by such a close encounter. I was absolutely ecstatic and in awe.

“The orca stayed between mid and East channel the whole time we were watching them and then suddenly they were right there, just yards offshore.

“The level of surface activity varied over the near hour and a half we watched them, but during this time there was lots of celebrating after what I’d guess was a quick snack.”