A Mount Maunganui resident walking along Omanu Beach spotted a NZ fur seal swimming in the surf.

Cate Duff captured the surfing seal on camera yesterday morning.

"The seal was lying on the beach when I first came down," says Cate. "A dog sniffed him and he was gone back into the sea.

"I was watching the seal then a guy came down to go swimming. So funny to watch his reaction when he saw the seal!

"A morning walk along the beach can be full of surprises."