The video is so shocking it's been shown on national TV all day by various networks -- with some viewers concluding it must be a fake, says the San Jose Mercury News.

A female surfer and two kayakers are floating off Santa Cruz, Calif. when to their surprise, two feeding humpback whales lunge straight up out of the water, jaws wide open, and land dangerously close to the trio.

The close encounter was shot by Barb Roettger. She told ABC News the footage is legit -- and that she'll never get that close to the big mammals again.

The video's not that big of a surprise. A pod of whales is feeding uncomfortably close off the coast of Santa Cruz. That's thrilling boaters and kayakers who have been flocking to see them up close -- but alarming the U.S. Coast Guard which is warning people to stay 100 yards away from the creatures or face a $2,500 for "whale harassment."

A marine expert said hungry whales are good at avoiding people while "lunge-feeding" but getting too close poses safety risks.

Roettger told the San Jose Mercury News she noticed the telltale "bubble net" that meant the animals were coming to the surface but it was too late to move. The guy in the kayak was so busy checking out the female surfer in the bikini he "missed the whole thing," she told the newspaper.