This is the moment a boat was seen fleeing from an enormous waterspout tornado in the Philippines.

The huge weather phenomenon formed off the coast of tourist destination Bohol island on November 27.

As it grew bigger, the vessel carrying guests on a tour was seen hurrying back to the shore.

Footage shows the boat moving away from the giant whirlpool.

Onlooker Dhodz Baratas said: ‘It was so big but it was also gone soon. We were a bit alarmed in case it would move towards the shore.

‘We live very close to the beach where I manage a convenient store.'

No one was hurt and the waterspout was reportedly gone in less than five minutes.

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 it starts to rise – picking up water at the same time 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.