This is the terrifying moment a fierce crocodile chased a swimmer through the sea in Indonesia.

The deadly reptile floated stealthily over to the oblivious snorkeler on Teluk Palu Beach in central Sulawesi, Indonesia, on November 6.

Incredibly, a food seller noticed the hazard and alerted residents - who began hurling rocks into the water to get the man's attention.

Heart-stopping footage shows the life-or-death chase as the hungry predator swims over to the man, eyeing its next meal.

Minhar Inovasi, who lives nearby, said the tourist was enjoying the water when they noticed bubbles forming three metres away from the man.

Soon after, the crocodile's head emerged from the water and swam towards the man so they began calling him.

He said: "We shouted to tell the man to get out of the water when we saw a huge crocodile moving towards him."

Locals also threw rocks to get the man's attention and scare the reptile away. Realising there was a beast approaching, he frantically paddled back to the shore as the crocodile drew near.

Minhar added: "The man only realised there was a crocodile when people shouted and threw rocks. He looked up then immediately swam to the shore.

"Fortunately, the huge rocks we threw did not hit the man's body. He managed to climb onto the rocks on the beach and he was unhurt.''

The fierce saltwater crocodile, estimated to be 10ft-long, even followed the man onto the shore and waited for almost half an hour before it retreated into the depths.

Haruna, an official at the Central Sulawesi Province Natural Resources Conservation Center, said the Palu Bay where the man swam is a habitat for estuarine crocodiles.

He said: "The location is indeed their habitat. Estuarine crocodiles have been there for a long time so it is not advisable to spend a vacation in the area."

Haruna urged residents to be careful when taking part in beach activities on rivers and beaches near the bay.

To prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, the agency put up signs around the are to warn visitors against the crocodile habitat.