WHALE OF A TALE FOR NEWCASTLE RESIDENT

How’s this for exhilarating?

A man’s captured the moment he had a close encounter with a pod of whales.

Jason Moffat was a few kilometres off the coast of Newcastle, when he spotted the group of about five humpbacks.

The curious creatures then headed straight for his boat…his initial panic quickly turning to elation.

“When you feel the spray and you hear them breathing and you can look them straight in the eye – it was a unique moment and one I won’t forget,” said Jason.

Jason says he’s been overwhelmed with the attention his video has received online.

So far – it’s had more than 40,000 views on social media.

(AUDIO IN PARTS)