A daredevil surfer paddled out into the waves in Hawaii, ignoring tsunami warnings issued after a massive earthquake off the coast of Russia.

The magnitude 8.8 tremor struck off the eastern coast of Kamchatka at 11:25 am local time (UTC+12) on Wednesday, July 30. The US Geological Survey reports that the quake occurred at a depth of 19.3 kilometres.

Authorities said the powerful shock generated tsunami waves as high as 13ft along Russia's coastline, prompting evacuations and damaging buildings.

The tremblor also sent tsunami waves across the Pacific, heading toward Japan, Hawaii, and the west coast of the United States.

A few hours after the jolt, more than two million people near the Pacific were advised to evacuate. Warnings were also issued in China, the Philippines, Indonesia, New Zealand, and even in Peru, Chile, and Mexico.

Footage captured by Nick Williams shows a lone, seemingly unfazed holidaymaker on a surfboard at Waikiki Beach, calmly floating as tsunami warnings remained in effect.

Nick said: 'This dude on Waikiki Beach is ready to ride the wave. Tsunami Hawaii.'

Local reports said the highest tsunami waves were recorded in the Hawaiian Islands, reaching up to 5.7 ft.

Officials confirmed it was the sixth strongest seismic event ever recorded in history.

The Kamchatka Peninsula lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for intense seismic and volcanic activity.