Fitzroy Island in Queensland, Australia, witnessed an unusual incident when a two-meter saltwater crocodile appeared near the shore, sparking concern among tourists and prompting some snorkelers and swimmers to quickly leave the water, while resort management rushed to tighten safety measures and warn visitors.
The crocodile was spotted on Monday near the beaches of Fitzroy Island, located about 29 kilometers from Cairns. The island is a popular tourist destination among locals and visitors for its beaches, swimming, and snorkeling areas.
Although North Queensland is known for its saltwater crocodiles, their appearance near the island is rare. The last known sighting of a crocodile in the area was in late 2024.
Warning shouts save snorkelers from approaching the crocodile
A sailor named Mark Fletcher recounted that he was swimming near his moored yacht off the island to check a propeller fault when he heard people shouting warnings about a crocodile in the water.
He explained that he quickly returned to his boat before heading to shore in a dinghy to find out what was happening. He learned that the crocodile had been swimming toward him before changing course toward two snorkelers, who left the water immediately upon hearing the warnings.
Fletcher added that he was unaware of the crocodile while in the water and only realized the danger of the situation after returning to the yacht. He noted that he later saw the animal floating near the shore, about 20 meters away, while several people watched it from land.
Scottish tourist describes the scene as an unforgettable experience
Scottish tourist Kyle O'Shea, 23, described seeing the crocodile as an exceptional experience that will remain stuck in his memory.
O'Shea had visited the island with his girlfriend after traveling from Glasgow to Australia, fulfilling their dream of visiting the country.
He said the ferry crew warned them about the crocodile before arriving at the island, and the warnings were repeated when boarding the boat. Passengers were informed they could swim but were advised to avoid entering the water.
Despite their initial disappointment over disrupted snorkeling plans, they later saw the crocodile moving over the sea waves near the rocks where they were sitting.
O'Shea described the scene as both strange and exciting, emphasizing that seeing the crocodile up close was one of the highlights of his trip to Australia.
Additional security measures and continuous monitoring of the area
Following the incident, Fitzroy Island Resort management announced that crocodile sightings near the island's beaches are rare, but they are treating the incident seriously and have decided to enhance safety measures and communication with visitors.
The measures included intensifying beach inspections, conducting regular monitoring of the area using resort boats, and informing guests, cruise operators, and passengers of any updates regarding the crocodile's presence.
Warning signs were also placed on the island and will remain for seven days from the date the crocodile was spotted.
The Queensland Department of Environment confirmed it is investigating the incident and continues to monitor the area in coordination with wildlife authorities.
According to resort manager Dallas Bickle, the crocodile is believed to be a young male looking for a new area to settle during the breeding season. He noted that it has not been spotted again near the island since Monday evening.
He explained that this is the second time he has dealt with a similar incident during his three years in the role, following a previous occurrence in late 2024.
Despite the incident, the Scottish tourist confirmed that the experience did not make him hesitate to visit Australia again. Instead, it increased his desire to return, praising the beauty of Cairns and his interest in crocodiles.
