Photo: Kathryn Figgins
Tourists taking a trip from Portobello to Port Chalmers aboard the Port to Port Cruises and Wildlife Tours boat got a front-seat view of the marine mammals.
Port to Port Cruises and Wildlife Tours owner Rachel McGregor said it looked like a big male and a smaller female popped up but she was unsure if there were more.
"It doesn’t happen very often where we see orcas, only a few times a year. This time we were very lucky to be looking right at the best spot to see them."
She said sometimes they would "get really lucky" and see the same pod a few weeks after they were originally spotted.
"Orcas tend to go back to the same place. Maybe we’ll see them again soon."
Ms MacGregor said she was happy the tourists on board had such a unique experience.
