Orcas Circle a Man's Tiny Boat-and the Footage Is Equal Parts Amazing and Terrifying
Imagine being in a small Zodiac boat in the middle of Antarctica's Southern Ocean when several massive orcas suddenly appear around you, popping their heads out of the water for a closer look. That's exactly what happened to wildlife conservationist, adventurer, and filmmaker Richard Sidey, and the footage is making viewers everywhere a little uneasy.
Although the clip is only a minute long, it's equal parts awe-inspiring and nerve-racking, leaving many of us wondering how we would have handled the situation. The orcas repeatedly lift their heads above the surface, seemingly studying the passengers aboard the boat. And the reason behind this fascinating behavior is giving viewers goosebumps, too.
@richardsidey When Pack Ice Orca surround your zodiac and you have your telephoto lens attached. An epic encounter with the rare Type B1 Killer Whales in Antarctica. These orca are spyhopping our inflatable boat, the exact same way they check out seals on ice floes. Richard Sidey with EYOS Expeditions killerwhale orca nature wildlife antarctica
original sound - Richard Sidey - Richard Sidey
Richard's video racked nearly 16 million views, more than a million likes, and over 15,000 comments. People were left feeling anxious, with one viewer describing it perfectly: "My megalophobia..."
Another commenter added, "I'm uncomfortable with that level of eye contact," and we feel the same way; there's something very weird about an animal that could eat you studying you like that!
Related: Woman Freediving in Norway Comes Face to Face With an Orca in Harrowing Video
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Why Do Orcas Spyhop?
Richard shared in the caption, "...these orca are spyhopping our inflatable boat, the exact same way they check out seals on ice floes."
According to Sea Goddess Whale Watching, spyhopping is a behavior in which whales, dolphins, and even some sharks position themselves vertically in the water, using their pectoral fins to hold themselves steady while visually inspecting what's happening above the surface.
Scientists believe whales spyhop for a variety of reasons, from simple curiosity to navigation and hunting. Sea Goddess notes that orcas, in particular, are thought to use spyhopping to locate prey such as seals near the surface. "In the case of predation, multiple spy-hops from different locations followed by a vocalization to group members may prepare the group for an attack."
Before you start imagining yourself as an orca's next meal, there's no need to panic. Encounters with orcas are rare and are usually peaceful. If you ever find yourself being investigated by one, A-Z Animals recommends staying calm and avoiding splashing, screaming, or making sudden movements, since those actions could cause the orca to view you as a potential threat. Most orcas are simply curious and move on after a brief investigation.
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This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM.