This is the terrifying moment a ferry struggles against strong waves in Hawaii.

Heart-stopping footage captured by Wyatt Yee shows the 50ft Atlantis Adventures vessel Discovery being tossed by large swells at Kewalos, one of Waikiki's most popular surf breaks, on Saturday, August 9.

The ferry later ran aground on a shallow reef just outside Kewalo Basin Harbour, near the Kewalos surf spot, at around 8 am. Waves at Kewalos can reach up to 10ft.

Atlantis Adventures executives said in a statement: 'There were no passengers aboard the Discovery shuttle boat when it ran aground this morning. The two experienced crew members aboard the shuttle boat were not injured.

'There has been no leaking of fuel or oil from the vessel. We are working closely with all government regulatory agencies to have the shuttle boat safely removed from where it was grounded, towed back to its pier location, and thoroughly inspected before it is returned to service.'

Weather officials have issued a high surf advisory for south-facing shores across Hawaii, with the National Weather Service in Honolulu forecasting wave heights between 10 and 14ft over the weekend.