Video: Incredible manatee encounter on Florida beach caught on film

Amazing footage showing a herd of playful manatees swimming next to beachgoers in Florida has become an Internet sensation.

The viral clip, filmed by a US couple, shows dozens of tourists stunned by the impromptu visit of the huge marine mammals.

Five or six of the creatures – often called sea cows - quickly became the centre of attention when they were spotted frolicking in the shallow waters of Fort Lauderdale, South Florida, on Sunday afternoon.

Before long, lifeguards were forced to push back crowds of curious people as they flocked around the gentle creatures - taking the opportunity to pet them.

Witness Mr Hassock recalled how the rare and “amazing” encounter lasted around 30 minutes.

       [Related story: Lion tries to eat baby through glass]

He told Local10.com: “I thought it was seaweed and then they raised their snouts.

"This is awesome. You don't get to see this every day. It was pretty amazing. And for them to be so close, that's what really took me by surprise."

Mr Hassock added that a mother manatee appeared to be nursing four or five calves in the shallow turf.

Manatees prefer shallow water, although encounters with the 1,300-pound mammals along coastlines are rare because they need to be near fresh water to survive.

The creatures are an endangered species and touching them is forbidden.