Tourists, locals spot crocodile lurking in waters on popular Darwin beach

Locals and tourists at Darwin's iconic Mindil Beach weren't the only ones enjoying a Top End sunset last night, with a crocodile spotted lurking in the swallows off the shore just metres from people.

The reptile was estimated to only be about a metre long and remained close to the beach for about an hour, drawing huge crowds of people wanting to get a look at it.

Some people didn't seem too concerned, given the size, with one witness telling 9News there were still children nearby.

"No one was really concerned at all, it was only little, just floating around," one visitor said.

“Would have only been about 1 to 1.5metres… there were still kids ankle deep in the water," another said.

Others weren't impressed by the actions of some onlookers.

"Some idiots were back in the water up to their waist after it went away."

Crocodile sightings off Darwin beaches are not unusual as the animals travel between rivers in Darwin Harbour.

While the reptile spotted last night was only small ranger Tom Nichols, of the Crocodile Management Team, said it's a timely reminder to always "Be Crocwise" in all Top End waterways.

There were 360 crocodiles captured across the NT's Top End in 201.

So far 87 crocodiles have been caught in waterways this year.