An enormous waterspout was spotted surfing along the shallows near a beach in the Philippines.

The thin but tall weather phenomenon formed among a cluster of storm clouds in Palawan province on October 6.

Shocked tourists and locals watched as it glided across the sea around 20 metres from the shore.

Footage shows the long twister moving across the ocean as frantic onlookers watched.

Tourist Cat Onig said: ‘We were asking the guide if we should be worried and if it was dangerous. He told us to remain calm as they usually disappear in a few minutes.'

However, Cai added she was still scared of the waterspout because it was too big.

She said: ‘It extended to the top of the clouds. It was also moving near the beach, so we just returned to our hotel.'

After some five minutes, the waterspout dissipated. No one was hurt or damaged in the incident.

Waterspout tornadoes form when wind merges from opposite directions near the water's surface, creating a small area of spin. Warm air at the surface causes the spinning air to rotate faster and start to rise – picking up water simultaneously and forming the distinctive elephant-funnel shape.

As warm air rises, the cooler air moves in below and then rises, too. Sometimes the air spins so fast that it stretches and a funnel appears from the water to the thunderstorm cloud above.

Waterspouts are generally not dangerous but they can be a risk for aircraft flying through the area and for coral reefs and marine life in the water immediately below. Sailors should also try to avoid waterspouts as the power of the wind can cause damage.

They very rarely damage buildings as they dissipate when they reach land. However, they are dangerous of boats caught in their path or aircraft that fly through them.