(KRON) -- A rarely seen pod of orcas was captured on video by a whale watching boat captain in the Monterey Bay this week. The videographer, Giancarlo Thomae of Sanctuary Cruises, said he saw about 80 whales swimming in a giant pod that was spread out "as far as you could see." The pod usually swims between 100-1,000 miles offshore, but the elusive ocean giants have been known to venture into the Monterey Bay during winter months. On Thursday, the pod was spotted about five miles away from Moss Landing, Thomae said. Thomae said multiple family groups likely make up the pod. Orcas, also known as killer whales, are the ocean’s top predator. NOAA writes, "Killer whales are highly social, and most live in social groups called pods. Larger groups sometimes form for temporary social interactions, mating, or seasonal concentrations of prey." Orca families have unique sets of calls that are learned and culturally transmitted among the whales, according to NOAA.