Water spout spotted off Bronte Beach

Nature has put on a spectacular display for beachgoers and lifeguards at Bronte Beach as converging winds and warming water resulted in a water spout out at sea.

The water spout, or funnel, lasted for about 10 minutes, a Waverley Council spokeswoman says.

Water spouts require a specific set of conditions to form, including upward-moving air, warming water and a combination of winds, according to Bureau of Meteorology severe weather forecaster Zach Porter.

"We had a light offshore wind in the morning, so where that meets the north-easterly sea breeze over the water, it's sort of a convergence area," Mr Porter said.