Beach goers near Seattle experienced an incredible sighting last week when a pod of orcas began leaping out of the water just meters from the shore.

Alyssa Slovinac was visiting Golden Gardens Beach, in the state of Washington on February 24 when she was treated to an astonishing show that left onlookers 'in awe'.

The video below shows one member of the orca pod breach clear out of the surface of the bay while another appears to wave with its massive fin.

Belonging to the largest species in the dolphin family, the six orcas frolicked in the foreground, while one leaped from the water, twisting in midair before landing again.

"I was absolutely ecstatic," said Alyssa.

"I'm a bit of an orca enthusiast, so I've seen this type of behavior 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.

"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."

They are often called 'killer whales', maybe because of such appetites but not a misnomer because orcas (and all dolphins)-along with porpoises, sperm whales, beluga whales, and narwhals-are members of the the sub-order of whales that have teeth, known as odontocetes.

WATCH the thrilling video from SWNS below…

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