This is the heartwarming moment a stranded family of sea turtles was saved by a fisherman who found them trapped in a shallow rock pool.

Osias Rustia Sr noticed the struggling turtles while fishing for squid during low-tide at a beach in Romblon province, the Philippines on November 20.

The biggest turtle appeared to be protecting the other two smaller reptiles so Osias believed they were a family.

His nephew, Ronald Rustia, recorded his uncle as he saved the struggling marine creatures one by one.

The fisherman first carried the biggest turtle back in the sea and then came back for the other two.

Ronald believes that the turtles were blown off-course by strong currents from the recent storm and typhoons. They were then washed ashore and trapped on the rocks during low-tide.

He said: "The turtles looked like a family because the bigger one was watching over the two little turtles. They weren't injured but they were stuck and could not climb out of the rock pools. I think they had been swept away by the big waves last night."

The turtles swam together farther into the sea after being released and the two men carried on with their fishing.