Dozens of giant clams emerged on a shore as the sea receded, leaving beachgoers stunned.

Nicole Matas and her boyfriend, Jayfel, spotted the massive shellfish positioned upright with their openings above the water's surface at Tulapos Marine Sanctuary in Siquijor, the Philippines.

Footage shows the clams clumped together on the rocky shore on June 13.

Nicole said: 'My partner had never seen giant clams before, and I wanted to show him these creatures up close.'

The Philippines hosts seven of the world's nine giant clam species, including the massive Tridacna gigas, which can grow over 1.2 meters wide and live for more than 100 years.

These endangered clams play a vital role in reef ecosystems by filtering water and providing habitat, and conservation programs are working to protect and restore their populations.