A baby whale shark fin-slapped a tourist as it passed by their boat in the Philippines.

Footage shows the juvenile creature swimming behind the holidaymakers and hitting with its fins the back of a woman in Cebu, the Philippines on November 26.

It continued gliding nearby while the panicked snorkellers huddled together reaching for the boat.

Tourist Ric Laurence Jay Bague said: 'We had a great time exploring nature and meeting large marine animals in Oslob.'

Tourists travel to specific regions where whale sharks are commonly found, such as in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Australia's Ningaloo Reef. Guided tours allow people to observe these majestic creatures from boats or a distance in the water.

However, whale shark tourism has been criticised for its impact on the environment and the behaviour of the animals. Popular destinations can become overcrowded with tourists, increasing the risk of accidents and harm to animals and visitors.