This is the terrifying moment a saltwater crocodile splashes in the shallows near a beach in Indonesia.

Footage shows the deadly reptile moving calmly through the waters of Tomini Bay, in Central Sulawesi, on October 24.

Horrified locals enjoying the sea quickly retreated upon spotting the beast.

Onlooker Ahmad Gazali, who witnessed the encounter, said: 'It's dangerous. People must be careful because it could threaten our safety at any time.'

Authorities have urged residents to exercise caution when conducting activities along the coast of North Lemo Village.

In another incident earlier this year, a ravenous crocodile killed a beachgoer and swam near the shore, clutching his body in its jaws.

The beast was lurking below the surface as Sadarwinata, 51, paddled in the waters of Talise Beach in Central Sulawesi.

Deny Abrahams, senior commissioner of the city police, said: 'According to eyewitness statements, the victim was swimming too close to the crocodile that was already visible around the location. They shouted to warn him, but the victim was in the water and didn't hear.

'The rescue efforts were carried out swiftly by the joint team. One of the members of the Central Sulawesi Police Mobile Brigade Corps was even forced to shoot the crocodile to make it release the victim.'

The Indonesian archipelago is home to 14 types of crocs, with a large population of extremely large and violent estuarine crocodiles that flourish in the region's climate.

Conservationists believe that crocodiles have been driven further inland, closer to villages, due to overfishing reducing the crocodiles' natural food supplies, combined with habitat loss from the development of coastal areas into farms.

Widespread tin mining has also caused villagers to encroach on the crocodiles' natural habitats, pushing the creatures closer toward people's homes.

With uneducated locals in the developing country still using rivers for bathing and primitive fishing, the deadly combination of factors has led to rising numbers of crocodile attacks.