WATCH: Stunned swimmers run to shore as killer whale sneaks up

A group of friends were forced to run from the water at a New Zealand beach after a pod of killer whales began swimming near them.

The group were enjoying a sunny day at Hahei Beach when one of the large whales came within a few metres from them.

In the footage, the group appeared slow to notice the approaching whale as its fin sticks out of the water.

The swimmers quickly decide they need to vacate the water and fast.

“[We] spotted three orcas swimming about 50 metres offshore,” Kelly Lindsay, who filmed the encounter, said.

“[We] weren’t aware of the orca at this stage due to the waves; it wasn’t until one of the orca branched away from the pod towards the shore that onlookers started shouting out to the swimmers.”

TVNZ reported four orcas were spotted near the shore at Coromandel Beach, where Lindsay and friends were enjoying their long weekend.

A lifeguard said the whales come around to feed on stingrays and this particular pod got about 10 metres away from the beach.

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“[When] the fin emerged from the water… they turned and ran back to the shore in excitement and shock,” Lindsay said.

“It was a once in a life time experience to see such a beautiful animal up close in the wild. We won’t be forgetting this any time soon.”