This is the adorable moment a playful dolphin races alongside a boat - before waving a fin to amazed tourists.

The marine creature was seen darting ahead of the wooden long tail boat off the coast of Trang, southern Thailand last Friday (25/10) morning.

Footage taken by local tour guide Manitsara Pleedech shows how the dolphin stayed below the surface - then turned to swim on its side.

It appears to wave to the people onboard the boat by letting its front left fin pierce through the water and point towards the vessel.

The playful gesture amazed those onboard the motor boat, which was travelling at around 10 knots.

Manitsara said the young dolphin was ''very friendly''.

She added: "The cute little dolphin approached our boat and he was swimming along with us for a while.

''It's not unusual to see dolphins but this is the first time one has been so playful. It seemed like the dolphin was communicating with us by waving.''

Shortly after waving, the dolphin disappeared below the surface and swam away into the depths of the Andaman Sea.