Credit: SWNS / Collab

This is the incredible moment a group of fishermen actually 'petted' a huge whale shark.

Tarick Nielsen, 27, was out with a group of fishermen on a private fishing trip when they spotted the whale shark approaching the boat.

Once the animal was within reach, Tarick and a friend lent over to stroke the gentle giant - which appears to enjoy the interaction.

The group were left in awe after the gentle giant swam away into the Zanzibar Channel, off the coast of Tanzania.

Tarick, a fisherman and marine engineer from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, described the experience as ‘magical’.