A 3.5-metre saltwater crocodile has been spotted catching some waves just 20 metres from the most popular beach in Port Douglas.
Lifeguards scrambled to close the Queensland tourist town's popular Four Mile Beach on Tuesday afternoon, after the reptile was spotted taking a dip close to shore.
A drone was sent up and captured footage of it propelling itself through the choppy swell, not far from where families and beachgoers were relaxing on the sand.
Police travelled up and down the beach, warning people to stay out of the water.
The croc's presence quickly became a tourist attraction, with hundreds of people lining up at a safe distance to watch it swim past.
Crocs are often spotted in the surf in winter and spring as they move between river mouths.
