WATCH: Terrifying moment great white shark LEAPS from the water towards tourists on a boat

The huge 14ft fish leaps from the water to grab on to a piece of bait that had been placed in the sea by a tour guide.

A passenger aboard the ship captured the incredible footage on his phone.

It has been reported the video was filmed in Mossel Bay, South Africa, and shows the shark emerging at the water’s surface to take a bite out of the tuna head on a pole.

The shark opens its mouth wide, baring its razor sharp teeth to shocked tourists just steps away on the boat.

But as the shark attempts to grab the tuna head, the tour guide snaps it out of reach, thwarting the shark.

The beast then plunged back into the sea without having had a nibble of the bait.

According to the filmmaker, the shark is well known in the area and has been seen a number of times.

In fact, locals have even given the shark a name - Blackgill.

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The shark burst from the water, to the shock of tourists on a boat nearby

This is not the first time a great white shark has been caught on camera scaring tourists - one was filmed diving towards a cage.

The deadly sea predators lurk in the waters of South Africa, luring tourists every year who hope to catch a glimpse. 

But nothing could have prepared these travellers for the show they were about to witness. 

Headed straight for the bait dangling off the side of the cage, the great white shark stalked closer.

Suddenly the enormous fish latched onto the bait, until it touched the metal bars of the cage. 

The tourists just behind the bars - mere inches away from the giant shark - could be heard screaming in panic. 

As it writhed around trying to tear the bait to shreds, the shark flung itself over towards the camera.