This is the dramatic moment a waterspout formed next to a beach and passed by tourist boats in the Philippines.

The rotating vortex gained size about 30ft away from shore during cloudy weather and moved across the sea in Cebu province on October 5.

Shocked holidaymakers, who were then swimming in the shallows while some ate seafood on floating boat restaurants, retreated to safe ground as the twister was gliding past them.

Footage shows the whirling column passing by boats as families fled from the water. The vessels were also carefully returning to dock when the warm weather phenomenon was spotted.

Tourist John Kobex said: ‘The little kids and their parents ran back to the beach when someone shouted to stay safe. No one was hurt, but it rained afterwards, so some of the trips were cancelled.'

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.