Orca pod surrounds kayaker near San Juan Island

A kayaker had the thrill of a lifetime when a pod of about 30 orcas surrounded her boat near San Juan Island, in Washington State, east of Victoria, B.C.

"We are in whale soup. There's one coming right under our boat, oh my God!" said Michelle Feis to her guide as a killer whale swam less than a metre from their double kayak.

The encounter happened Aug. 26 near Roche Harbour on San Juan Island, and was recently posted on YouTube, along with a second video of the whales.

Feis said she was shaking and scared as the powerful animals came so close.

"I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was a dream come true ... It gave us the most exciting day of my life, I think."