Broome’s Cable Beach shut as 3m crocodile lingers

Holidaymakers and locals will have to steer clear of Broome’s iconic Cable Beach which has been closed for 24 hours after a 3m saltwater crocodile was sighted 80m offshore this morning.

Parks and Wildlife acting district manager Dave Woods said the croc was spotted about 6.30am, about 300m north of the rocks.

Mr Woods said it was spotted swimming towards the main part of Cable Beach just beyond breaking waves.

He said it had not been seen since mid-morning and was confident it would head towards a sheltered area as winds whip up more chop in the water.

“I do have a funny feeling this crocodile will not hang around on Cable Beach for long with this low (pressure system) heading our way at the moment,” Mr Woods said.

“I think by tonight the wind will be up to 15 or 20 knots and the seas will be quite rough and crocodiles will, on most occasions, head to comfortable creek systems where it is a lot calmer.”

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The beach was closed by Shire of Broome rangers and warning signs have been erected.

Mr Woods said current weather conditions were making it difficult to monitor the crocodile.

“Our latest report is a fair amount of chop has developed in the ocean and visibility has become quite poor,” he said.

“We will further assess the situation tomorrow morning.”