This is the spectacular moment a pod of dolphins was seen leaping from the water at a port in Peru.

Ship crew member Patrick John Bangayan and his colleagues encountered the group of sea creatures while berthing at Maratani Port.

Footage shows the marine animals jumping in unison as they swim in the sea on July 23.

Patrick said: 'It was so entertaining to watch them as we waited to settle at the dock.'

Experts said that dolphins often leap from the water to communicate, navigate, or play, as part of their highly social and intelligent behaviour.

The behaviour, known as 'porpoising,' is also a way to conserve energy while swimming at high speeds, as leaping through air requires less resistance than pushing through water.