A sea turtle appeared to lose its rag with tourists - slapping a snorkeller with its flipper in a crowded sea.

Footage shows the green sea turtle gliding to the bottom of the sea while swimmers followed it in Cebu, the Philippines, on February 16.

The reptile duck dived to reach deeper but hit with its limb the head of Ronnie Balucan who was being held by a guide.

The turtle hit Ronnie's side of the head and retreated, leaving the animal to move along.

Ronnie said: 'It is not allowed to touch them, or we would be fined. However, the guide told me the turtle was the one that touched me.'

The green sea turtle is a large, herbivorous marine reptile found in tropical waters worldwide. It helps marine ecosystems by grazing on seagrass, which helps maintain healthy ocean habitats.

It is classified as Endangered under the IUCN Red List due to threats such as habitat loss, poaching, climate change, and accidental capture in fishing gear.