A baby alligator emerged on a beach to go for a refreshing swim in the sea as astonished tourists watched.

The 5ft-long broad-snouted caiman waddled out of the forest and crawled onto the white sand on Praia da Daniela beach in Florianopolis, Brazil, on May 14.

It casually ignored sunbathing holidaymakers and made a beeline for the shore before taking a dip.

Footage shows the cheeky Caiman enjoying its beach stroll while holiday makers stood up from their loungers.

It was then later spotted drifting in the water riding the shallow waves while onlookers stood to watch it about 20ft away.

Onlooker Bruno Domingues Damasceno said: ‘Everyone was impressed. It might be the first time they have visited the beach with the animal.'

It appeared to enjoy dipping with a stunning vista in the background as the surf gently rocked it back and forth by the shore, some laughing at the unusual scene.

Another onlooker Carolina Macanhao who saw the creature swimming said: ‘When I filmed, there weren't that many people around. It might be that same alligator found crawling out of the bushes.'

Alex Bergmann, a reptile expert, identified the animal as a broad-snouted caiman. He said that these creatures usually stick to freshwater, although it is not unheard of that they sometimes venture to the coast or go into the sea.

A baby alligator emerged on a beach to go for a refreshing swim in the sea as astonished tourists watched.

The 5ft-long broad-snouted caiman waddled out of the forest and crawled onto the white sand on Praia da Daniela beach in Florianopolis, Brazil, on May 14.

It casually ignored sunbathing holidaymakers and made a beeline for the shore before taking a dip.

Footage shows the cheeky Caiman enjoying its beach stroll while holiday makers stood up from their loungers.

It was then later spotted drifting in the water riding the shallow waves while onlookers stood to watch it about 20ft away.

Onlooker Bruno Domingues Damasceno said: ‘Everyone was impressed. It might be the first time they have visited the beach with the animal.'

It appeared to enjoy dipping with a stunning vista in the background as the surf gently rocked it back and forth by the shore, some laughing at the unusual scene.

Another onlooker Carolina Macanhao who saw the creature swimming said: ‘When I filmed, there weren't that many people around. It might be that same alligator found crawling out of the bushes.'

Alex Bergmann, a reptile expert, identified the animal as a broad-snouted caiman. He said that these creatures usually stick to freshwater, although it is not unheard of that they sometimes venture to the coast or go into the sea.