Crocodiles at Cape Leveque

by Greg Grehan
(Brisbane, Queensland)

"Swimming Beach" at Cape Leveque

Contrary to what is written on your website, the swimming beach at Cape Leveque is NOT crocodile-free. While staying in a beach shelter at the Kooljaman Resort there in May, a 2 metre salty swam past us at the beach at lunch time.

The people in the water got out pretty quickly and the temporary signs were hastily put up to warn tourists of the croc as the resort proclaimed this to be a safe swimming beach, free from crocs.

While the beach is probably safe most of the time, a well-known croc habitat does exist in the creek about 6km from Cape Leveque. Crocs do venture out into these waters occasionally.

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Crocodiles at Cape Leveque

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Thanks So Much For This Update!!
by: Birgit

Hi Greg!

Thanks for this update!

For other readers: yes, Hunter Creek is saltwater crocodile habitat. Visitors are informed on arrival that there are crocodiles at Hunter Creek. I also mention it on the main Cape Leveque page. Maybe I should emphasize it more...

Since saltwater crocodiles have been declared a protected species their numbers have been steadily increasing. Every male crocodile needs its own territory, so they always move into new areas where they have not been seen before. (The saltwater crocodiles page has more info on this.)

If the area around swim beach was suitable for crocodiles the crocs would have settled there long ago. There is something about the location and the currents that has kept them away all this time.

With rising crocodile numbers the pressure increases and such sightings are bound to become more frequent.

I guess this will mean monitoring and trapping of crocodiles that venture in the direction of the resort beaches. (Very common at many other tourist attractions across the north, e.g. Katherine Gorge and Kakadu.) The Kooljaman management will make sure that visitors can continue to enjoy crocodile free beaches.

Anyway, very interesting occurrence and update. Thanks for writing!!

by: Birgit

It sure is rare to see one there. I would be willing to bet that you saw a young male that had been forced out to sea by the territorial behaviour of the established males in the creek. Was probably lost and looking for somewhere suitable...

I doubt he would have caused trouble. I doubt that crocodiles will cause ANY trouble there in the foreseeable future. But, of course, just to see one is enough to scare most people silly. I don't blame them. Saltwater crocodiles are the only creatures in Australia that are truly dangerous, and without a very good understanding of their nature and how they operate you just can't be too cautious around them.

All the best to you and hopefully you'll soon be back for more adventures!

Crocs at Cape Leveque
by: Lynda

We were there in about Aug/Sep 2000 and the same thing happened then. They had said it was safe and then there was a croc seen at the beach. We stopped swimming but others were oblivious to the danger and they didn't erect a sign then.

Crocs at cape leveque.
by: Anonymous

I have stayed at Kooljamin also and the staff there when we asked about crocs said they had not had any issues themselves but did warn us that it is still crocodile country and that precautions should be taken in all areas around the Kimberley region. We were very cautious of the fact that crocs are a possibility in the area just as they are in main swimming beaches like cable beach from time to time. I think we were given valid information about the area by the staff and it is common sense to be croc aware in all swimming spots in this area.

Croc sighting on West Beach around May 10
by: Timmo From LA

I was at Cape Leveque in early May. As I was coming out of the water on the east beach, I wondered why they were putting up a sign. Apparently, they were warning everyone out of the water as two crocs were sighted swimming right off of the west beach. Fairly far away around the point, but as our leader pointed out, there are no fences in the ocean.

I braved it and went back in swimming later that afternoon; I hadn't traveled 10,000 miles to NOT swim in the Indian Ocean!

Stupid overseas tourist
by: Roslyn

You were lucky to be able to tell the story of swimming in the Indian Ocean. What if the croc took a limb,you would be the first to complain no doubt, or you could have even lost your life because of your stupidity in swimming in their territory.

Keep your panties on, Roslyn
by: Timmo from LA

The croc was seen on the WEST beach in the morning, they gave the all-clear for swimming in the late afternoon.

Auatralian dangerous animals.
by: Buckshot

Dear Birgit,

Are crocodiles really the only dangerous animals in Oz? What about stone-fish, cone shells, butterfly cod, sea wasps, funnel web spiders, taipan, king brown, tiger, dugite snakes to mention a few?

Cheers.

Photo of the Cape Leveque croc
by: Greg Grehan

Dear Birgit and all,

A photo of the crocodile I mentioned in my original post has been posted at http://www.panoramio.com/photo/62881398.

The pic was taken from the 'Mindo' beach shelter, Kooljaman on May 9, 2007.

I thought it was a log at first... one floating against the current!

Although the crocs are there, I still think Kooljaman at Cape Leveque is one of the best places on the planet! Although I might look twice before taking a quick dip again! :)

Cheers,
Greg Grehan

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