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\"I mean I could have reached out and touched it,\" he said.

\"PHOTO:
Kevin Guck
PHOTO: Video captured a close encounter with a fishing boat and an Orca whale off the coast of San Diego, Calif.
>

Benge said the group first spotted the whale -- and others -- nearly half a mile away.

\"Out of nowhere one of them popped up right next to the boat three or four feet away from me,\" he said. \"[It] landed, splashed me and splashed the whole side of the boat. I screamed.\"

The seemingly social Orca followed the boat closely for nearly 10 minutes before it swam off.

\"PHOTO:
Ryan Lawler
PHOTO: Video captured a close encounter with a fishing boat and an Orca whale off the coast of San Diego, Calif.
>

This rare killer whale encounter came just one week after another close call in northern San Diego County.

Captain Ryan Lawler was on his boat off the waters in Oceanside when he spotted two killer whales, according to ABC News Los Angeles station. He was able to snap a selfie with the whales in the background.

James Stewart, a whale expert and boat programs coordinator at The Aquarium of the Pacific, said Orcas are usually friendly toward boaters.

\"PHOTO:
Kevin Guck
PHOTO: Video captured a close encounter with a fishing boat and an Orca whale off the coast of San Diego, Calif.
>

\"Killer whales are naturally very curious and very playful animals. Certain pods will often come up to a boat and play with the boat wake, or the bow, [and] ride in the front of the boat,\" he explained.

Despite the oceanic predator's presence, Benge said his group still managed to catch some Yellowtail.

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