Footage shows a waterspout that formed off the coast of the Philippines and lasted for more than five minutes.

Beachgoer Divine Grace Medrina Cetenta captured footage while sitting on the beach in Tumarbong, Palawan province, on May 12.

She said: ‘It was worrying to see because it looked strong, even though it was far away from us.’

Fair weather waterspouts like that seen in the video are most commonly found in subtropical areas and usually disappear shortly after they come into contact with land.

They form when winds merge from opposite directions near the water’s surface, creating a small area of spin. Sudden warm air at the surface causes the spinning air to rotate faster and it starts to rise – picking up water at the same time. 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 waterimmediately below. Sailors should also try to avoid waterspouts – as the consequences of floating into one could be disastrous.