A thrilling encounter between orcas and a shark has been captured on video at Tryphena Wharf.
A group of three orca whales delivered the unforgettable show as they seemingly cornered a shark right up against the island’s main wharf—only metres away from amazed onlookers. The orcas, often seen in the waters around Great Barrier Island, circled slowly, exhaling powerful bursts of air through their blowholes, while clearly zeroing in on their prey.
“The shark’s still down there, upside down,” one voice narrates in the now-viral YouTube video, clearly caught up in the drama as the orcas gave the unfortunate shark “a bit of a shake up.” The action was so close that witnesses could make out the shark’s form, temporarily immobilized and flipped belly-up amidst the maneuvering cetaceans.
The scene reached a peak when one of the orcas appeared to lurch into the air, seemingly attempting to body-slam the shark. “Shit, that’s a big bastard,” exclaimed one bystander. Moments later, a woman’s voice marks the arrival of the twice-weekly Sealink ferry: “Ah, there’s the ferry,” she notes, punctuating the end of the wild spectacle.
The footage ends ambiguously, leaving viewers to wonder whether the shark managed to escape. The last frames suggest a narrow getaway just out of sight.
Orca whales, often called the “wolves of the sea” for their intelligent and cooperative hunting techniques, are common visitors to the Hauraki Gulf, especially in summer. This encounter recalls another remarkable orca-human moment from last year, when a paddleboarder had a close brush with a curious orca in Shoal Bay. Despite their predatory skills, orcas are generally non-aggressive towards humans.
The majestic creatures, however, do have a taste for sharks, with documented cases of orcas targeting great whites. Their intelligence and strength make them a favourite among locals and tourists alike, but the Marine Mammal Protection Act reminds everyone to keep a respectful distance, even if the orcas themselves sometimes ignore the rules.
