Croc enjoys the waves, sunset at Cullen Bay

Territorians enjoying the Top End sunset were joined by a scaly friend riding the waves. SEE THE VIDEO.

A TRIO of plover birds were unflapped by a croc enjoying the waves and sunset at Cullen Bay on Tuesday.

The whopper croc was spotted by locals chilling along the beach between 6.20pm and 7pm.

Footage taken by Alishah Douglas shows the croc close to the shore riding the waves, with three plover birds gathered to watch it.

“It was just cruising along the shoreline,” Ms Douglas said.

“There were a lot people around. I think it was enjoying the sunset from Cullen Bay like the rest of us.”

Tourists Josh Lehrain and partner Emily were given a true Top End welcome, capturing the croc on their drone two hours after arriving.

“We just pulled into the carpark there and thought get out and have a look,” Mr Lehrain said.

“We walked down to the each and there were people standing on the grass looking out at the water. I turned to my partner Emily and we both couldn’t believe it.

“I popped the drone up and was taking photos and videos … It was a pretty good welcome to the Top End.”

Croc rangers caught the reptilian beast on Tuesday night in Cullen Bay.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security said the croc measured in at 2.95m and was spotted by beachgoers eating fish and chips nearby.

The crocodile management team received numerous calls about the sighting.

It’s understood the crocodile attempted to lunge at a dog being walked along the foreshore.

Senior wildlife ranger Ian Hunt said the capture and removal of the crocodile was a “textbook” retrieval.

“After dark we launched a boat from the ski club and made our way into Cullen Bay where we located the croc about 50m off shore,” he said.

“When we went down to inspect the area there were actually people swimming.”

2.95m croc caught at Cullen Bay. Picture: NT Parks

He said the warning to the public remains the same year-round.

“We advise that crocodiles are still moving around in our waterways and we expect people to take it seriously and be careful where they swim,” he said.

“This crocodile was almost 3m and that is definitely a threat to life.”