This is the impressive moment a monitor lizard joined tourists as it swam along a beach on a Thai island.

Footage captured by guide Johnny shows the reptile gliding across the surface of the crystal-clear water at Hong Island, in Krabi Province, Thailand.

Upon reaching the shore, the predator briefly stopped on the sand before continuing to swim along the beach, while curious holidaymakers surrounded the animal on March 25.

Asian water monitor lizards normally live in canals, swamps, sewers and ponds in cities in Thailand. They feed on fish, snakes, frogs and scraps of food left by humans.

The reptiles are aggressive when threatened and have a mildly venomous bite which sometimes carries harmful bacteria. The Godzilla-like reptiles are also a protected species in the country so their population thrives.