Watch: Stunning video of swimmer in New Zealand getting a pod of orcas for company

“I was also thinking they eat seals, and I’m in a black wetsuit,” Johnson told 1 News.

However, after waiting for some time, she decided to go back into the water. To her surprise, the pod joined her again. Describing the once-in-a-lifetime experience, she said, “It was so different to anything that’s happened to me before, and I thought, no, this is a life-changing experience. They were as interested and curious about me as I was about them.”

Watch the video here:

Johnson told local media that she remembers gazing directly into the adult orca’s huge eyes, her fear quickly turning to joy.

The drone footage was captured by Australian tourist Dylan Brayshaw, who said he was shocked to see the woman return safely from the swim. “I’ve seen trainers get harmed in captivity but in the wild I didn’t know what to expect,” he said.

However, orca experts said the whales are very smart and playful, and aren’t known to hurt humans without provocation due to which Johnson might not have been in any danger.