Are there crocodiles in the Great Barrier Reef?

Being one of the deadliest animals in the world, the Saltwater Crocodiles are one of the most fearful creatures in Australia.

These scaly creatures have existed for millions of years, being around since the dinosaurs, nowadays only found in Australia’s northern region, with the Great Barrier Reef no exception.

About the Saltwater Crocodiles

At the top of the food chain in Australia’s wild, known as the largest reptile in the world. They have proven their toughness by surviving their prehistoric past and went on to last 65 million years until the present day. Their body evolution has remained the same in all that time, with the saying ‘if it isn’t broken, why fix it?’ matching perfectly with these creature’s physiology.

Why the Saltwater Crocodiles are so Dangerous?

Saltwater Crocodiles are carnivorous, not being picky eaters, and preying on a range of animals such as small birds, to large creatures like kangaroos and humans. Measuring up to seven meters in length, and weighing over 1,000 kilograms, they are huge creatures and use their strength when catching their prey. Their strong tails able them to speed through the water at ease, even strong enough to let them leap completely out of the water.

Their brown and green scales allow them to blend into the murky waters of the region, making them notoriously sneaky when roaming the water.

Crocodiles in the Great Barrier Reef

Saltwater crocodiles are typically found in the murky waterways, rivers, lakes, and swamps in the Northern region of Australia. However, on occasion, they can be found in the ocean region, with the beaches and islands in the Great Barrier Reef known to have an occasional croc sighting. A lot of beaches of the region are banned from swimming within, as the croc sightings are a bit more common than the outer ocean of the reef.

However, all Great Barrier Reef tours keep a lookout for any crocodiles roaming nearby, with even small detections leading to all visitors leaving the water immediately.

Related article: How many days do you need at the Great Barrier Reef?

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.