Saltwater crocodile spotted on Fitzroy Island coast

While spending a relaxing day on the water celebrating a relative’s birthday, a Cairns businessman described the moment he saw a saltwater crocodile swimming off the coast of a popular tourist haven. SEE THE VIDEO.

A saltwater crocodile has been sighted off the coast of a popular Far North Queensland island.

While spending a day out on the water to celebrate his stepdaughter’s birthday,

Cairns businessman David McCorquodale caught footage of a 2m saltwater crocodile swimming less than 30 metres from shore at Fitzroy Island.

“I was just there for my stepdaughter’s birthday, we had the jetski and we were just around, travelling in the water,” Mr McCorquodale said.

“I had my stepdaughter’s friend on the jetski and they spotted it and said there’s a croc, but I didn’t think anything of it because there were lots of logs everywhere.”

Mr McCorquodale said they drew closer and saw the animal’s head and tail.

“As soon as it clocked us, it just went under the water and that was about 10m or 20m just off that shore,” he said.

“I’d rather not make a big deal, but at the end of the day I didn’t want anyone to be taken.”

Mr McCorquodale, a regular visitor to the island, said it was the first time he had seen a crocodile there.

“I’ve never been to Fitzroy and thought there would be crocs around,” he said.

Originally published as Saltwater crocodile spotted on Fitzroy Island coast